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"The personalities you work with really matter.  One thing I've learned from my time as an articling student is that it's much more pleasant to work with people who remain calm and friendly even when they're busy or things aren't going their way.  These are the kind of people you'll meet at Lerners.  The people here -- lawyers, clerks, staff and students -- are a pleasure to work with even (especially!) when the pressure's on and there's plenty to do.   Lawyers here make a genuine and sustained effort to involve students in their files.  You'll attend as many mediations, trials and appeals at the Court of Appeal as you'd like -- the lawyers are always happy to have you along.  Students are given a great deal of responsibility, drafting litigation documents and arguing motions in court.  The lawyers trust and rely on the research students do, even when the stakes are high.  I'm very pleased with my decision to article at Lerners." Andrew Elias, 2008-2009 Toronto articling student   "Two things have made my time at Lerners exceptional:  the work and the people.  I was encouraged to become meaningfully involved in all facets of litigation, from drafting pleadings to attending court, and I worked under the guidance of legal experts in all areas of civil litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.  But, as fulfilling as the work is, it's the people that really set Lerners apart: the staff and lawyers are truly approachable and want you to succeed, and it won't be long before everyone knows your name.  You simply can't ask for better litigation preparation than being a student at Lerners." Grant Bodnaryk, 2007 Toronto summer student, 2008-2009 Toronto articling student

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"If you're looking to immerse yourself in the world of litigation, Lerners fits the bill on all fronts.  As a summer student, not only was I exposed to an incredible breadth of litigation files, but more frequently than not I was asked to make substantial contributions towards meeting clients' objectives.  More important than the work, however, was the fact that I felt continuously encouraged and inspired by the lawyers, staff and fellow students surrounding me.  All in all, spending my summer at Lerners was a truly rewarding first foray into the practice of law."

 

"My summer with Lerners was fantastic.  I was immediately part of the team and given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a variety of files from commercial and class actions to personal injury and insurance defence.  As well, lawyers were always happy to have me attend court, discoveries, or mediations with them, providing me their insights along the way.  I worked with and learned from a group of people who are friendly, fun, and above all dedicated to excellence.  Lerners truly invests in their students, providing an enjoyable and invaluable foundation for a career in litigation."

 

"Every day at Lerners presents an opportunity to learn something new - no two days are the same.  From client meetings and discoveries to document drafting and court appearances, Lerners provides its students with a challenging and dynamic litigation experience.  The student coordinator ensures that each student gets a balanced and varied workload, and the chance to learn from many of Lerners' most valuable resources: the people.  The calibre of lawyers here, with a diverse array of experience, is inspiring to a young legal mind interested in pursuing a career in litigation."

 

"Lerners takes a great interest in student development.  I have had the opportunity to work on interesting files and follow them through the various stages of litigation.  Along the way, I have received constructive and meaningful feedback in a collegial environment.  Most of all, I feel like a respected member of the team."

 

"My summer experience at Lerners was the push I needed to realize that all along, I really wanted to become and work as a lawyer.  In just four months, I was able to get a firm grasp of what the litigation process entails and observe and participate in many of its aspects: from sitting in on phone conferences with clients where legal strategy was discussed, to attending discoveries, preparing motion records, and observing court appearances.

 

Given the nature and size of the firm I really got to see the end product of my work, and I observed my research being incorporated into facta, then argued in court and finally find its way into judgments.  Most significantly, I felt that my work was important and truly valued by the lawyers, while spending time with a staff who helpfulness and amiability was exceptional."

 

"The decision of where to article is never one that a student takes lightly, and as a mature student, I know that I gave it a lot of thought.  If someone had asked me to describe what my idea of an ideal articling experience in litigation might be like, I would have listed everything I'm doing at Lerners: legal research, drafting of court documents, preparing memos for clients, appearing on motions, arguing in Small Claims Court, etc.  What I couldn't have known is how collegial and inclusive the Lerners people are.  Working here means being part of a great team of support staff, students, associates and partners whose goal is to provide the most effective advocacy a client could ask for."

 

"Lerners offers a fantastic student experience.  It's wonderful to work at a firm that values its students so highly.  Both individuals and the firm as a whole invest in mentoring, training, and teaching the students how to lawyer - while simultaneously treating us as valued members of the team.  We're given complicated assignments, involved in all kinds of files, and provided frequent opportunities to see lawyers in action.  The challenging nature of the work would be its own reward, but Lerners adds to that warm and interesting people.  Articling isn't supposed to be this much fun!"