Law Student FAQ

Start Your Legal Career with Confidence at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP offers one of Canada’s most hands-on and rewarding student programs for future litigators. Whether you’re a summer or articling student, you’ll gain real experience, practical skills, and mentorship from a team that’s passionate about employment and disability law. This FAQ outlines everything you need to know about what it’s like to work – and grow – at STLaw.

1. Do you hire Summer and Articling Students?
2. Who thrives in STLaw’s Student Program?
3. What to expect as a student at STLaw
4. Training and mentorship at STLaw
5. How work is assigned and managed
6. Receiving feedback as a student
7. Our approach to hire-backs
8. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at STLaw
9. Social culture at STLaw

Do you hire Summer Students & Articling Students?

Yes – Samfiru Tumarkin LLP hires both summer students and articling students. While our summer recruitment typically focuses on second-year law students (2Ls), we occasionally consider exceptional first-year candidates (1Ls) as well.

What kind of students is STLaw looking for?

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’re looking for law students who are driven, focused, and passionate about employment law and disability and injury law. These are our core practice areas – and what we’re known for across Canada.

If you interests lie elsewhere, or you’re still exploring different practice areas, we encourage you to consider firms that offer a broader rotational experience.

Who thrives in our student program?

We’re a litigation-focused, boutique firm, which means our students are exposed to meaningful, hands-on work right from the start. We hire students from universities across Canada (and beyond) who want to become litigators and are eager to build practical experience.

Our ideal candidates are:

Genuinely interested in employment, disability, and injury law
Excited about litigation and courtroom advocacy
Not looking for a traditional, full-service rotation model
Motivated to take ownership of files and client matters

Qualities we look for

We value students who bring a strong combination of skills, mindset, and work ethic. The most successful students at our firm typically demonstrate:

Strong communication and organizational skills
Excellent attention to detail and analytical thinking
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Initiative, professionalism, and a problem-solving mindset
Outstanding time management and responsiveness
A client-focused attitude – we pride ourselves on our 2,000+ positive Google reviews

A culture that values connection

We’re more than just a team at work – we’re a community. From social events to shared wins in court, we support each other both professionally and personally.

If you enjoy working with people, want to grow your skills as a litigator, and are ready to contribute meaningfully, you may be exactly who we’re looking for.

What can I expect as a student at STLaw?

At Samfiru Tumarkin, summer and articling students receive meaningful, hands-on experience from day one. You won’t be observing from the sidelines – you’ll be working directly with our legal team to solve real-world legal problems and support clients across Canada.

Summer vs. Articling Experience

Both summer and articling students are fully integrated into the Firm. However, articling students often have greater opportunities to:

Take the lead on Small Claims Court matters
Attend motions and other court appearances
Assist lawyers at discoveries, mediations, pre-trials, trials, and appeals

Whether summering or articling, you’ll learn how to approach cases strategically and pragmatically, while building confidence as a future litigator.

The work you’ll do

Our student program is designed to prepare you for a successful legal career — especially in litigation. You’ll gain practical experience across both employment and disability/injury law.

Typical student tasks include:

Drafting demand letters and statements of claim
Preparing questions for examinations or questionings
Conducting legal research
Participating in strategy meetings
Assisting with active litigation files across multiple stages

You’ll also have opportunities to shadow our lawyers and paralegals at:

Mediations
Discoveries and questionings
Motions, hearings, and case conferences
Pre-trials, trials, and appeals

Learning beyond the files

In addition to file work, students benefit from:

In-house seminars and training sessions
Weekly department meetings
“Office hours” and mentoring opportunities
A collaborative environment where questions are encouraged

We want you to succeed — and that means giving you the tools, exposure, and mentorship to grow into a confident, capable advocate.

What type of training and mentorship can a student expect?

We take your development seriously – and it starts from day one.

Orientation and Foundational Training

During your first week at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, you’ll participate in a tailored orientation led by firm leadership, including members of our management team and some of our most experienced legal practitioners.

Initial training includes:

Employment Law 101
Disability Law 101
Common Task Training (e.g., drafting, legal research, client communication)

This early investment sets you up for success and ensures you’re comfortable stepping into your role with confidence.

Ongoing mentorship in practice

Mentorship at STLaw is not confined to formal meetings – it happens through real collaboration.

As a student, you’ll work directly with lawyers and paralegals on meaningful files. Every assignment is treated as an opportunity to coach, guide, and build your legal instincts.

You’ll receive feedback, insight, and support as you take on tasks and grow your skills. Our goal is simple: to help you become a great litigator.

How is work distributed?

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, work is assigned with mentorship and growth in mind.

Students receive tasks directly from our legal professionals, either through a centralized distribution list or via direct assignment. This approach ensures students are exposed to a variety of files and working styles – and that every assignment becomes a learning opportunity.

Expectations around communication and time management

We expect students to manage their workload proactively and professionally. That includes:

Responding to assignment requests in a timely manner
Prioritizing tasks effectively
Communicating clearly with supervising lawyers
Meeting deadlines consistently

Responsiveness and strong time management are essential to success in our fast-paced environment – and we help you build these skills early in your term.

Exposure to national work

As a national firm, we don’t limit students to just one province. You’ll have the opportunity to assist on files across:

Ontario
Alberta
British Columbia
and potentially other jurisdictions

This national scope allows you to gain insight into the nuances of employment and disability law across Canada.

How do the students receive feedback?

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, feedback is an essential part of the student experience. Students work directly with the assigning lawyer or legal professional before, during, and after each task. Every assignment is treated as a mentorship opportunity, with thoughtful feedback provided once the work is complete.

In addition to this ongoing guidance, we also conduct formal evaluations at key points during the term. These check-ins help students reflect on their progress, identify areas for growth, and stay aligned with their development goals. The result is a well-rounded learning experience that supports each student’s growth into a capable and confident litigator.

What is the firm’s policy on hire-back?

We hire students with the clear intention of bringing them back as associates.

That’s why we look for individuals who demonstrate not just legal skill, but the mindset, drive, and resilience it takes to succeed as a litigator at our Firm. We invest heavily in each student’s growth – and our hope is that summer students return for articling, and articling students return as full-time associates.

While final decisions are always based on the Firm’s needs at the time, our track record speaks for itself: we continue to expand our team, and we prefer to promote from within.

How does the firm promote equity, diversity, and inclusion?

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are not just policies at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP — they are embedded in the way we operate. We are proud to foster a professional environment where respect, fairness, and opportunity are extended to all members of our team.

EDI in action at STLaw

We promote a culture of inclusion by rejecting rigid hierarchies. Everyone – whether a student, lawyer, assistant, or accountant – is treated with equal respect.
Our team is diverse in background, perspective, and experience. We recognize and accommodate individual strengths and needs to ensure every team member can thrive.
The Firm’s Women in Law group meets monthly to address issues impacting women in the legal profession. This group played a key role in shaping our Firm’s parental leave policy.
We operate as a meritocracy. Our hiring and promotion processes are designed to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly and equitably.

What is the social life like at STLaw?

Working with people is great – working with people you genuinely like is even better. At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we believe a collegial workplace starts with strong connections, and we make it easy for our team to build those relationships.

Social events are held throughout the year, both in person and virtually, to bring staff together outside of the legal setting. From Nintendo Switch nights and the STLaw book club to whitewater rafting, running events, holiday parties, and apple picking, there’s something for everyone. Students are always invited – and encouraged – to take part in the fun.