My Future in Law: - Bennett Jones

My Future in Law: 

Student Recruitment Guide 2012

What We Wish We Had Known 

It’s hard to believe the summer job process is already upon you. If you are anything like us, you’ve heard 

stories, but still aren’t quite sure what to expect. We were in your shoes just one short year ago and are here 

to share with you the things we wish someone had told us. 

While the process may feel overwhelming, there are things you can do to prepare and increase your 

chances of getting the right job. If you know what to expect and you are well prepared, the application 

and interview process can even be enjoyable. 

Knowing that you may be overloaded with information, we have divided this guide into five distinct parts 

which mirror the application and interview process and can be reviewed as needed. 

Part 1: Researching Firms 

Part 2: A Bit About Bennett Jones 

Part 3: Application Package 

Part 4: Interviews 

Part 5: What to Expect Summering and Articling 

 

 

 

 

Why We Chose Bennett Jones 

My Best Assignment 

Interview Scheduling Assistant 

Final Words of Advice 

From left to right: Stephanie Romano (University of Windsor), 

Elissa Ferrari (University of Windsor) and Danish Afroz (Osgoode Hall Law School) 

Student Guide 2012 - 3

Before we begin, we thought we would tell you a little bit 

about us: 

 

This year there are 37 summer students (18 in Calgary; 16 in Toronto and 3 in Edmonton). 

 

We come from 11 different law schools (Alberta (6), Calgary (8), Dalhousie (2), McGill (3), Osgoode (6), 

Ottawa (4), Queen’s (1), Toronto (2), Windsor (2), Western (2), and Victoria (1)). 

 

 

 

 

We have undergraduate degrees in Art and Design, Business, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, 

Commerce, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Economics, Electrical Engineering, English, Geography, 

German, History, International Development, International Relations, Medical Sciences, Nursing, 

Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy, Religious Studies, Science, and Sports 

Management. 

Our previous jobs have included racehorse exercise rider, investment banking analyst, soldier, trauma 

nurse, blackjack dealer, STARS air ambulance crew, mechanic, research assistant, water meter hole 

digger, camp coordinator, supervisor at a golf course, horseback riding coach, telecommunications 

analyst, petroleum engineer, cook, legislative intern, student union executive, ballistics assistant, 

chaplain, bartender, nanny, ESL teacher, correctional officer, commodities trader, assistant retail 

manager, painter, special needs support worker, GIS technician, BMW car jockey, camp counselor, 

barista, soccer development coordinator, fine men’s wear sales associate, swimming instructor, rock 

climbing instructor, editorial intern, security officer, minister’s intern, and piano teacher. 

We have lived in Australia, Denmark, England, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, 

Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Saudi Arabia, 

Togo, and Turkey. 

Our outside interests include backpacking, horseback riding, golf, biking, skiing, travelling, trading, 

hunting, beer making, coaching, scrambling, flag football, music, fishing, eating, running, camping, 

kayaking, hiking, soccer, snowboarding, yoga, hockey, cycling, reading, tang soo do, dancing, 

swimming, triathlons, swimming, beer-tasting, bass guitar, baseball, poker, squash, sky-diving, 

hang-gliding, the Toronto Maple Leafs, films, music, picnics, cooking, volleyball, politics, debating, 

computers, scuba diving, and languages. 

We sincerely hope that this process marks a meaningful beginning to your legal career. Please feel free 

to contact any of us (our email addresses are at the back of this Guide) if we can be of assistance to you. 

The Bennett Jones 2012 Summer Students 

From left to right: Ravi Parhar (University of Alberta), Michael Selnes (University of Calgary) 

and Stacey Waterman (Dalhousie University) 

4 - Student Guide 2012 Student Guide 2012 - 5

Part 1 

Researching Firms 

One of the best things about a legal education is the diversity of work and work environments that it can 

lead to. Regardless of where you choose to work, the work you do and the people you work with will be a 

significant part of your life. It is important to choose a firm where you feel comfortable from the beginning. 

Your first step is to identify which firms are hiring summer/articling students and understand what each 

firm has to offer. 

1. Research general websites. For example, the NALP website offers a comprehensive list and description 

of firms along with up-to-date hiring information (www.nalpcanada.com). 

2. Read individual firm websites and related marketing materials. 

3. Use other resources available to you, including your school’s career development office and materials 

written by outside sources (i.e., newspapers, legal magazines). 

4. Learn more by attending receptions and career fairs. Talk to students and others who have interviewed 

or worked at the various firms. 

5. Use your own network to introduce yourself to firms. If you know someone at the firm and have their 

permission to mention their name, do it. 

6. Contact students and junior associates at the firms to which you are applying. Don’t be afraid to reach 

out to the students and lawyers at the law firms. Not only can they tell you more about the firm and 

what it is like working there, they can also provide useful insight into the application and interview 

processes. 

Michelle Seto 

University of Toronto 


Part 2 

A Bit About Bennett Jones 

Bennett Jones is a full service firm. As a student, that means you get to work with a diverse group of 

lawyers and clients across many disciplines. For example, in the corporate and tax departments we work on 

assignments involving bankruptcy, climate change, mergers and acquisitions, commodity tax, customs/ 

trade, corporate and tax, energy, financial services, IT and real estate. In the litigation and regulatory 

departments, we work on files relating to securities, bankruptcy, competition, construction, employment, 

energy, fraud, environmental, regulatory, health and IP. 

We are an international firm with offices located in Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, Beijing, Abu 

Dhabi, Doha and Dubai. 

Our Calgary office was founded in 1922. Initially, our reputation in Alberta was built upon our work in the 

oil industry. While this work is still prominent in our Calgary office, students can also expect to work in all of 

the areas outlined above. Calgary remains our largest office with approximately 200 lawyers and business 

advisors. Our Toronto office has experienced strong growth over the last five years. While this office is 

still growing, we currently have over 150 lawyers and business advisors. With just over 40 lawyers, our 

Edmonton office offers the best of both worlds. As a smaller office, it provides you with the entrepreneurial 

and creative experience of a boutique while still giving you access to the work and resources of a major 

national firm. 

Each of our summer and articling students is assigned 

a mentor at the firm. Mentors are a critical aspect of 

the student experience and are charged with ensuring 

that our students are well-integrated at the firm and are 

having an enjoyable and meaningful experience. 

Our Ottawa office opened in 2008 and is currently focused on public policy. Our Beijing office opened 

in 2009. In November 2010 we opened a new office in Dubai, and in the spring of 2011 we expanded to 

Abu Dhabi. Both offices serve clients in the Gulf region and help Canadian clients access and implement 

business opportunities in the Gulf. Our Ottawa, Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi offices do not offer any (nonsecondment) 

student positions. 

We participate in on-campus recruitment at the University of Victoria, the University of British Columbia, the 

University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, the University of Windsor, the University of New Brunswick, 

the University of Toronto, the University of Ottawa, Western University, Queens University, McGill University, 

Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law, Thompson Rivers University, and York University’s Osgoode 

Hall Law School. In 2012, we had 16 summer students in our Toronto office,18 in our Calgary office and 

three in our Edmonton office. We hired 17 students into our 2012/2013 articling group in each of our 

Toronto and Calgary offices and three in our Edmonton office. In 2012, our Toronto office hired back 13 of 

its 15 articling students as associates, our Calgary office hired back 8 of its 11 articling students as associates 

and our Edmonton office hired back all four of its articling students as associates. 

Joseph Marcus 

Osgoode Hall Law School 


Recognitions: 

We have been named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada 

by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine and Hewitt 

Associates for nine consecutive years, placing in the top ten in each 

of the last five years 

Bennett Jones was named Law Firm of the Year (Full Service) – Canada 

by DealMakers in the Global Leading Firms – Top Tier Rankings – 2012 

edition. 

Awarded Private Equity Law Firm of the Year at the Corporate INTL 

Legal Awards 2011. 

Awarded Client Choice 2011 Award for Canada by International Law 

Office in its Client Choice Guide 2011. 

The firm also offers an extensive legal education 

program through Bennett Jones University (BJU). 

Our BJU programs provide our students with a 

strong grounding in the fundamentals of the 

practice of law, including substantive matters and 

practice management. 

Consistently ranked as a leader in each of its geographical markets 

and key practice areas by Legal Media Group’s International Financial 

Law Review (IFLR) 1000 and Best of the Best Expert Guides. Our lawyers 

are also frequently listed in the International Who’s Who of Business 

Lawyers published by Law Business Research. 

Renee Bolianatz 

University of Alberta 


Part 3 

Application Package 

Your application package should include a cover letter, resumé, copies of official law school and 

undergraduate transcripts and a list of upper year courses. Applications are generally due at the end of the 

summer or during your first few weeks of school. Preparing your package takes longer than you think, so 

start early. Don’t wait until the last day. Ordering transcripts, particularly from schools outside of Canada, 

can take time so plan accordingly. 

Most firms, including Bennett Jones, now encourage students to apply online. Before sending your 

application package, check the firm’s website for the best way to deliver your materials. 

Resumé 

Your resumé gives the firm some idea of what you can contribute. Firms receive many resumés at once, 

so provide the requisite information in a clear and concise manner. By following an organized and simple 

format, firms will be able to focus on the areas that interest them the most. 

Use the following headings to organize your resumé. 

Education 

Start with law school and work backwards. Include all post-secondary education, identifying the school, 

years attended, degree obtained and major area(s) of study. Don’t include high school information. 

Academic Awards 

Include recent awards, accomplishments and publications. 

Work Experience 

Start with your most recent work experience and work backwards. Identify dates of employment, name 

of employer and position held. Include a brief description of responsibilities but don’t overstate your role. 

Volunteer/Extra-Curricular Activities 

Tell the firm about how you spend your free time. This adds depth to your application and provides insight 

into your experiences and achievements outside of school and work. 

Andrew Disipio 


Interests 

Highlight who you are and what you like to do. Make sure you don’t include any information that you are 

not open to discussing in an interview. 


Be concise. Your resumé should be no more than two pages. 

Format your resumé with a basic font and choose a character size that is easy to read. Stick with this 

formatting throughout your application package. 

Reference letters are generally not required by firms, but they are accepted as part of your package. If 

you decide to include a reference make sure it highlights your strength or explains a weakness in your 

application. Also, consider the nature of the referee. Most firms do not find reference letters from professors 

very helpful (as profs often write lots of them and they do not distinguish you as a candidate). Reference 

letters from recent employers are much more persuasive. 

Cover Letter 

Some firms receive over 1000 resumés for summer and articling positions. Firms rely on them to get a 

sense of who you are and to judge writing style. Use your cover letter as a way to distinguish yourself. 

Distinguish Yourself 

1. Be concise. Your cover letter should be one page. 

2. Provide necessary details. Tell the firm what law school you are applying from and what position you 

are applying for (e.g. summer 2013, articling 2014/15). 

3. Your cover letter should be easy to read, clear and interesting. It should highlight your achievements 

and experiences and say something that distinguishes you from the rest of the applicants. 

4. Personalize your letter by highlighting what interests you about the firm (Did you meet someone at 

Career Day? Do you know a current student? Are you interested in a particular practice area?). 

5. Briefly explain any gaps in your education or work experience. The same goes for an anomalous 

grade or term. 

Stephanie Romano 

University of Windsor 


Part 4 

Interviews 

Before the interview, take some time to understand what you are looking for in a firm (collegial atmosphere, 

work ethic, reputation, professionalism, work/life balance). Consider asking yourself: 

 

 

 

 

 

In what other areas of my life have I achieved a high level of success? 

What did I love/hate about my last job? 

What courses did I like in law school? 

How do I work best? In a team environment or on my own? 

What do I want to experience in the summer/articling year? 

The interview process differs in Ontario and Alberta. That being said, the following general tips apply 

across the board. 

Erica Hennessey 

Dalhousie University 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

Dress appropriately. Take the time to have your suit tailored, dry cleaned and pressed. 

Be sure you’re comfortable in what you decide to wear. Work in new shoes beforehand. 

Arrive 10 minutes early. Use the extra time to use the washroom, check over your 

appearance and take some deep breaths to remain calm and confident. 

Update your research. It is not necessary to know everything about the firm, but some 

general knowledge is helpful and will make you feel better prepared. Talking to past/ 

current students is always a good idea and demonstrates your interest in the firm. 

Find out names of your interviewers in advance and research them on the firm 

website. Consider creating a ‘Schedule Assistant’ (see the sample we included for you on 

page 30) to help you remember certain information about your interviewers. Be aware, 

however, that interviewers may change at the last minute, so be prepared with some 

general questions that can be asked of any interviewer such as: What attracted you 

to the firm? Describe the most recent project you had a student work on. What were 

his/her responsibilities? How would you describe the firm’s culture? Avoid asking for 

information that can be found on the firm’s website. 

Be strategic in the way that you schedule your interviews. It might be helpful to schedule 

your “first choice” as your second interview in order to work out any initial nerves. Plan out 

your ideal OCI schedule. 


consist of a natural conversation between you and the interviewers. Be adaptable about the content of 

these conversations, as the discussion may range from discrete points on your resumé to more trivial 

things like your favorite television show. 

Interviews 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

Alastair MacKinnon (University of Calgary) and Brian Monaco (Queen’s University) 

Prepare for the unexpected. Even if something embarrassing happens, stay calm and 

conduct yourself with confidence. 

Re-review your application package. Everything on your resumé is fair game so be 

prepared to discuss it. Think about each experience you have had and be prepared to 

tell a story that you think would be relevant. However, don’t memorize your answers or 

specific passages from the firm’s website as it will stifle the conversation. 

Be open and receptive to opportunities to learn about the firm. For example, always 

accept a tour of the office even if you’ve already taken one. 

Ask questions. What do you want to know about life at the firm? If you don’t want to ask 

your interviewer(s), consider speaking to current students/associates. 

Take advantage of the opportunity. This is not just a job interview but also a chance to 

learn more about the firms in the area and the legal profession. 

Be yourself. While this is a professional setting and you should conduct yourself with 

maturity and confidence, don’t be afraid to show your personality. 

All meetings over coffee, meals and receptions should be treated as another 

interview. The difference is that second interviews provide a great opportunity to ask 

more questions, delve deeper into firm culture and determine whether or not the firm 

is a fit for you. 

After each interview, jot down your thoughts and impressions. Did you feel at ease? How did the 

interviewers interact with each other? How did they interact with support staff? Were the students happy? 

Consider writing a thank you email addressed to your interviewer(s) with a personal anecdote from the 

interview. 

A Word about Recruitment in Ontario 

In Ontario, recruitment procedures and timelines are governed by the Law Society of Upper Canada (www. 

lsuc.on.ca). Generally, after the application package deadline, on-campus interviews take place followed 

by call day and in-firm interviews. 

On-Campus Interviews (OCIs) 

OCIs allow a large number of firms to evaluate a large number of students and vice versa. As important 

as these interviews may seem to your professional future, don’t let them intimidate you. OCIs generally 

Your goal is to convey a natural ease and poise about you no matter what the topic may be, without 

becoming too friendly. You are still being interviewed so stay professional at all times and be confident. If you 

have a bad interview, shake it off. Don’t allow a bad experience to taint your subsequent interviews. Cut your 

losses and move on – you may be surprised who you hear from on call day. 

OCI Tips 

1. Decide in advance how many OCIs you can reasonably schedule. As an individual, you need to 

strike your own balance between quantity of interviews and quality of performance. There’s no magic 

formula here, but don’t underestimate how exhausting the process can be. 

2. Be prepared. Talk to past or current students at the firm for more information and insight. In the 

last few minutes of each OCI, your interviewers will ask if you have any questions – this is a great 

chance to show your interest in the firm. Prepare thoughtful questions in advance, and have a few 

geared towards each firm. Make sure your questions can’t be answered by reading the firm’s website. 

Most firms will tell you in advance who will be interviewing you, so do some research and prepare 

questions for your specific interviewers. Show them that you’ve done your homework. 

3. Know how to market yourself. Be prepared to talk about things that make you interesting and will 

set you apart from the other candidates. 

4. Convey your interest. Be honest and enthusiastic. If you’re interested in a firm, don’t be afraid to tell 

your interviewers – but be prepared to tell them why. 

5. Know your resumé. Go through each experience and think of stories or talking points that highlight 

your relevant qualities and skills. That way, when you’re asked about your hobbies or international 

exchange, you’ll have something interesting to keep the conversation going. 

6. Relax. At this point, it is all about meeting the person behind the resumé and the firm behind the 

website. Interviewers want to assess your social skills, poise, responsiveness and energy, so be yourself 

and be confident. 

7. Send thank you emails to your interviewers. 

Call Day (Ontario) 

1. Prepare a draft schedule in advance, but be prepared to be flexible on call day. Usually you will need 

to allocate two hours in your schedule for each interview. 

2. Schedule your top firms on Monday, November 5, 2012 and all first interviews by noon on Tuesday so 

that you have ample time to schedule second and third interviews. 

3. Turn off the “call-waiting” feature on your phone so that you aren’t distracted by other calls while 

speaking with a firm. If you miss a call, don’t panic. That firm will call again and you can always call 

them back when you get off the phone. 


4. Be persistent. If you really like a firm that didn’t call you, consider contacting them after 9:30 a.m. to 

ask if they have any room remaining in their schedule. 

5. When you get a call, don’t keep the lawyer on the phone for too long. These calls are not interviews – 

efficiently get all the relevant information and get off the phone. The lawyer probably has more calls 

to make and you will want to be free for any other calls you might get. 

6. Report scheduling conflicts immediately. Firms understand. Contact them as soon as possible so they 

can sort it out before they match interviewers to candidates. 

7. Allow time for call-backs on Wednesday. If you are from outside Toronto, remember that the process 

continues until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 (when offers can be made). Make your 

travel arrangements for after 5:00 p.m. 

8. Send the right signals. Rejecting dinners may send a negative signal about your interest to firm 

recruiters. Keep this in mind when you are scheduling (and declining) dinners and cocktail events. 

Interview Week (Ontario) 

1. Before interview week, map out your route. Downtown Toronto can be confusing. The last thing you 

want between closely scheduled interviews is to get lost. 

2. Be sure to bring some essentials. A cell phone, a map of downtown Toronto, stain-remover stick/ 

wipes, snacks, extra pantyhose, dental floss, a notebook and an umbrella may all prove handy. 

3. Be aware of your surroundings. The person overhearing your conversation in the line at lunch may be 

your next interviewer. 

4. Send clear signals. If you are very interested in a firm, this is not the time to beat around the bush. 

Telling interviewers that you would like to return for a second interview reaffirms that you’re interested 

in the firm and shows initiative. By mid-day Tuesday, you should have a clearer idea of which firms are 

your top choices. Go back to visit them again. 

5. Let a firm know if you are going to be late. If you have to make the hard choice to cancel an interview, 

be polite and timely. 

6. Provide the firm with updated contact information so that you can be reached during interview week. 

7. Keep on top of your communications. Call backs, thank you emails and requests for dinner or cocktails 

can come at any time. To be sure you don’t miss anything, check your messages and email often. 

Offer Day (Alberta) 

For students in their 2nd year of law school, offers are made for Calgary summer positions starting at 3:00 

p.m. on November 7, 2012, and 1st year law student offers will be made at 5:00 p.m. on November 8, 2012. 

Sasha Toten 

University of Ottawa 

Don’t feel pressured to accept the first offer that comes in. 

Consider allowing all calls between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (or 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) to go to voicemail 

and then call firms back to accept or reject their offer. 

20 - Student Guide 2011 2012 Student Guide 2012 - 21

Part 5 

What to Expect Summering and Articling 

At Bennett Jones, the summer program is designed to provide students with a solid introduction to the 

practice of law and the firm culture. Students are engaged in real file work from the start. They work 

directly with clients and attend meetings and go to court. Articling is a continuation of this process and 

will allow students to build on their summer experience. There is no work that is designated as ‘student 

work’. Students are valuable assets and resources and are engaged in meaningful assignments. 

Some details about our favourite assignments as summer students are included on pages 28 and 29 to 

help give you a sense of the type of assignments we worked on. 

At our firm, mentors play a significant role in your professional development. Each summer student is 

assigned a mentor within their practice area of interest. Articling students are assigned a principal and a 

mentor, who together will ensure you are exposed to a broad range of practice areas and to all aspects 

of practice. In addition to mentors, Bennett Jones runs an extensive professional development program 

through its own Bennett Jones University. 

As students, we are encouraged to play an active part in firm life, including participation in firm social 

events. Our firm events focus on the firm’s commitment to the community and building lasting 

relationships amongst the students. Past events have included barbeques, associate and practice group 

dinners, a family ski weekend in the Rocky Mountains in Calgary, a mentor/mentee golf tournament, and 

the Big Bike Ride for the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Toronto. 

In closing, we hope you enjoy the process. Please do not hesitate to contact any one of us. We are happy 

to share our experiences with you. 

Wishing you all the best, 

The Bennett Jones 2012 Summer Students 

Scott Brasil 



Why We Chose Bennett Jones 

“I chose Bennett Jones because they have a clear vision for the future, a global 

outlook, and they provide students with opportunities to make substantive 

contributions to interesting case files from the very beginning of their legal careers.” 

Danish Afroz 


“The time and effort Bennett Jones placed in student recruitment was unparalleled 

to many of the other Toronto law firms. During the interview process, meeting with 

over fifteen lawyers from various practice groups really showed that Bennett Jones 

was serious about investing in my future.” 

Daniel Masliyah 

McGill University 

“The non-rotational summer program at Bennett Jones was a big attraction for me. 

The system allowed me to choose the work that interested me most and exposed 

me to a number of different practice areas.” 

Fabian Abele 

Western University 

“At Bennett Jones, you create your own experience. You have the opportunity to 

explore different fields and take on a variety of interesting and challenging work. 

The lawyers are open to teaching and are excited to get you involved.” 

Lauren Shneer 


Matthijs van Gaalen 


“My experience as a Bennett Jones’ summer student has been invaluable. I have 

had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of Canada’s finest 

practitioners. In addition, the opportunity to simply get a glimpse of the processes 

of a firm and learn best practices for when I article has been enough in itself to 

make my summer worthwhile.” 




“Bennett Jones offers students the opportunity to receive unparalleled legal 

training within a work environment that supports mutual learning and collegiality. 

You’ll not only work with great professionals, but with great people as well.” 

Scott Brasil 


From left to right: Brian Monaco (Queen’s University), Michael Selnes (University of Calgary), Arnie Fridhandler (Osgoode Hall Law 

Tatum Woywitka (University of Alberta), Alastair MacKinnon (University of Calgary), Steve Gow (University of Calgary), 

School), Stacey Waterman (Dalhousie University), Erica Hennessey (Dalhousie University), Ravi Parhar (University of Alberta), 

Adam Hassan (University of Ottawa) and Gabrielle Maunier (University of Calgary) 


My Best Assignment 



One of the most interesting assignments I worked on this summer involved preparing 

briefing materials for the Bennett Jones mission to China. It combined both legal 

and market research, so I learned a lot about cutting-edge issues in the China-Canada 

relationship. 

Graeme Harrison, Calgary office 

I was responsible for managing the status of all of the material contract assignments for 

one of the biggest M &A deals in recent history. In this capacity, I worked very closely 

with my mentor and a senior partner. I contacted clients directly and was given a lot of 

individual responsibility – it was a great learning experience. 

Fabian Abele, Toronto office 

The best assignment I worked on this summer was a large fraud file, where I was 

directly involved with meeting with the client, drafting a defence, as well as drafting 

the legal arguments for the factum. I worked extensively with one associate and one 

partner on the file, and they both made me feel valuable and part of a team. At the end 

of a week’s worth of meetings with the client, the client specifically told me that they 

really loved working with me, which made the whole process more worthwhile and 

enriching. 

Elissa Ferrari, Toronto office 

The best assignment I worked on was in relation to a $75 million private placement 

for the creation of a cross border real estate trust. Bennett Jones was representing the 

lead agent on the offering. I took part in reviewing the offering memorandum, but 

played a substantially larger role conducting the legal due diligence on the Canadian 

corporation creating and managing the fund. This included visiting the corporation 

and their counsel’s offices to review relevant contracts and documents. I, along with an 

associate, wrote the 38 page due diligence report. 

Arnie Fridhandler, Calgary office 

The best assignment I worked on this summer was an appeal. I was responsible for 

drafting the factum, and my basic work product was filed in the Alberta Court of 

Appeal (after being approved by the partner in charge of the file, of course). 

Gabrielle Maunier, Calgary office 

The best assignment I had this summer was contesting an application for default 

judgment in Provincial Court. One of our clients was out of the country and unable 

to attend and due to the size and nature of the matter I was asked to do it. It was an 

interesting experience as I got the application dismissed and I was thankful the lawyer 

trusted me enough to attend court on my own. 

Mike Selnes, Calgary office 

I was asked to co-write a paper with a lawyer about priorities between first mortgagees 

and second mortgagees. I will be coming back in September to present the paper in 

front of the entire Real Estate practice group, which is an amazing opportunity that few 

students from other firms would have. 

Michelle Seto, Toronto office 

During my first week at Bennett Jones, I picked up an assignment that required me 

to read through all the disclosure documents on a class action file. While the task was 

grueling, I became the expert on the file and continued to be the go-to person for 

any questions; as a consequence, I prepared all of the memoranda and documents 

used in the examination of over 20 witnesses. The trust that the partners’ place in us as 

students is humbling, but it also matches their expectation of excellence. 

Matthijs van Gaalen, Toronto office 


Interview Scheduling Assistant 

Provided by Bennett Jones 

Law Firm Name Interviewer Name Practice Areas 

Draft Questions Notes 2nd Interview 3rd Interview 

Bennett Jones 

Chris Skelton/ 

Marie Buchinski 

Corporate/ 

Regulatory 

What is a typical assignment for an articling 

student in the corporate rotation? 

- send thank you email 

- ask about dress for dinner 

Yes - Nov 5 @ 

9:30 a.m. 

Smith Johson 

John Smith 

Tom Johnson 

Corporate 

Litigation 

What sets your firm apart from 

other firms? 

- ask for Tom at reception 

Yes - Nov 6 @ 

10:00 a.m. 

Pre-interview Reminders: 

ü 

ü 

ü 

Ensure enough copies of resume are printed 

Complete the above chart to assist with tracking the days progress 

Use the notes column to enter a few phrases to jog your memory of the company facts before the 

interview begins 

Post-interview Reminders: 

ü 

ü 

Collect and sort your notes as soon as possible to avoid confusion between interviews 

Send thank you letters (emails) to those who interviewed you 


Final Words of Advice from our 2012 Summer Students 

Here is some advice we have for you about preparing for the interview process and choosing a firm. 

“Practice chatting with lawyers, articling students, or anyone you don’t know. A lot 

of the interview process comes down to poise and confidence under stress.” 

Jessica Roberts 


“Don’t be afraid to put your hobbies and interests on your resume. These things 

often become the starting point of conversations during interviews, and are easy to 

talk about.” 

Michael DeFaria 


“After finishing my summer at Bennett Jones, I left with a more comprehensive 

understanding of multiple practice areas and I was able to make some personal 

decisions about areas that I enjoy and will continue to pursue.” 

Ronald Fichter 

University of Western Ontario 

“Talk to students in the year above you. They can provide a wealth of knowledge 

between the lines of the process. Also, take advantage of firm tour opportunities 

and be sure to do your research.” 

Sasha Toten 


“Try to enjoy the process as much as possible and be yourself. All lawyers have 

different backgrounds, experiences, and personalities – and so do you! In the end, 

select the firm that you believe best supports both your long-term personal and 

professional growth.” 



Curtis Piggott 


32 - Student Guide 2012

Graeme Harrison 

University of Calgary 

Elissa Ferrari 

University of Windsor

Calgary 

Toronto 

Katie Duke 

Email: katieduke@gmail.com 

Gabrielle Maunier 

Email: gmaunier@ucalgary.ca 

Fabian Abele 

Email: fabele@uwo.ca 


Email: daniel.masliyah@mail.mcgill.ca 

University of Victoria 




Arnie Fridhandler 

Email: arnoldfridhandler@osgoode.yorku.ca 

Brian Monaco 

Email: 6bm22@queensu.ca 

Danish Afroz 

Email: danishafroz@osgoode.yorku.ca 

Jessica Roberts 

Email: roberts.jessicaleigh@gmail.com 


Queen’s University 



Steve Gow 

Email: sjgow@ucalgary.ca 

Ravi Parhar 

Email: rparhar@ualberta.ca 

Will Bortolin 

Email: wbortoli@uwo.ca 

Stephanie Romano 

Email: romanos@uwindsor.ca 





Sean Green 

Email: seangreen@shaw.ca 

Domenic Puglia 

Email: djpuglia@gmail.com 

Scott Brasil 

Email: brasil@ualberta.ca 

Michelle Seto 

Email: michelle.seto@utoronto.ca 





Graeme Harrison 

Email: gsharris@ucalgary.ca 

Michael Selnes 

Email: mwselnes@gmail.com 

Michael DeFaria 

Email: michael.defaria@utoronto.ca 

Lauren Shneer 

Email: laurenshneer@gmail.com 





Adam Hassan 

Email: adamohassan@gmail.com 

John Siddons 

Email: john.siddons@mail.mcgill.ca 


Email: disipio.andrew@gmail.com 

Sasha Toten 

Email: stote033@uottawa.ca 





Erica Hennessey 

Email: erica.hennessey@dal.ca 

Kristopher Simard 

Email: kristoph@ualberta.ca 

Elissa Ferrari 

Email: ferrarie@uwindsor.ca 

Matthijs van Gaalen 

Email: matthijs.vangaalen@gmail.com 





Christopher Los 

Email: christopherlos@osgoode.yorku.ca 

Stacey Waterman 

Email: staceykwaterman@gmail.com 

Joseph Marcus 

Email: josephmarcus@osgoode.yorku.ca 




Alastair MacKinnon 

Email: alastair.mackinnon@gmail.com 

Tatum Woywitka 

Email: twoywitk@ualberta.ca 




Edmonton 


Email: rg9@ualberta.ca 


Curtis Piggott 

Email: curtispiggott@hotmail.com 


Matthew Riskin 

Email: riskin@ualberta.ca 


38 - Student Guide 2012

ennettjones.com 

Your Future. Your Choice. Your Firm. 

bennettjones.com/yourfuture 

twitter.com/myfutureinlaw 

facebook.com/myfutureinlaw 

August 2012 | © Bennett Jones LLP 2012

My Future in Law: - Bennett Jones

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