LSO introduces changes to 2021 summer student recruitment procedures in light of COVID-19

LSO is staggering its application process for second year students

LSO introduces changes to 2021 summer student recruitment procedures in light of COVID-19

The Law Society of Ontario has amended its summer student recruitment procedures for 2021 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, the LSO is abridging recruitment timelines and staggering its process for second year students by asking employers to collect applications on two separate dates, depending on whether the students fall under Group A or under Group B. This separation, which does not prioritize either group, is based on factors such as the expected release of a school’s fall semester grades and whether the school conducts on-campus interviews.

Group A includes second-year applicants from Dalhousie University, Lakehead University, McGill University, Queen’s University, Thompson Rivers University, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, University of Windsor and Western University. Group B includes second-year applicants from Osgoode Hall Law School, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto Faculty of Law and schools not previously mentioned, as well as National Committee of Accreditation candidates.

For Group A, employers should set the deadline for applications not earlier than Jan. 18, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. For Group B, employers should set the deadline for applications not earlier than Jan. 25, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. On the other hand, for first-year applicants, employers should set the deadline for applications not earlier than Feb. 5, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.

Second, the LSO’s procedures contemplate that all on-campus interviews will be held remotely for 2021. The LSO notes that using remote interviewing methods may promote equitable access among participants who are impacted by the public health crisis. However, the LSO does not regulate the manner by which these interviews will be held.

Third, the recruitment for first year students and for second year students will be done concurrently, for increased efficiency. This change does not affect the total number of slots available to students.

The LSO introduced these amendments to give employers more time to review and assess applications and to give law schools more time to schedule interviews. The LSO requires adherence to these procedures under Rule 6.2-1 of its Rules of Professional Conduct.

The LSO consulted with stakeholders among employers, law schools and students to make these changes. The LSO website directs questions to [email protected].

Related stories

Free newsletter

Our newsletter is FREE and keeps you up to date on all the developments in the Ontario legal community. Please enter your email address below to subscribe.

Recent articles & video

Ontario Superior Court refuses to set aside settlement in car crash case involving fraudulent lawyer

Ontario Superior Court removes sibling as estate trustee amid conflict and mismanagement concerns

Lenczner Slaght's Susannah Alleyne talks new inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility role

Ontario court deducts COVID-19 income benefits from past income loss award in personal injury case

Ontario Superior Court dismisses impaired driving charges due to uncertainty in THC test results

Ontario Superior Court upholds cell phone search as lawful and rejects bid to exclude evidence

Most Read Articles

Ontario court deducts COVID-19 income benefits from past income loss award in personal injury case

Ontario Superior Court dismisses impaired driving charges due to uncertainty in THC test results

Lenczner Slaght's Susannah Alleyne talks new inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility role

Ontario Superior Court refuses to set aside settlement in car crash case involving fraudulent lawyer