OCI Applications: Finding a 'Good Fit'

As the application deadline for the On-Campus-Interview (OCI) process approaches, second-year students begin to eagerly research firms and speak with fellow students. As an applicant, I found it easy to gain superficial information, but difficult to decipher what exactly makes each firm unique.

Here are seven things to consider when gathering information about the firms that interest you.

A heavy emphasis is placed on finding a “good fit”. The OCI and Summer Student Program is, for everyone involved, an investment of time, effort, and resources. So, in the search for compatibility, here are seven things to consider when gathering information about the firms that interest you, the applicant:

1. Practice Areas
Check each firm's website for information about their practice areas. Looking for a niche? Or just want to keep it general? How about litigation? Are students exposed to all firm practice areas? Or restricted to a few?

At MB: As the website indicates, McCague Borlack is a civil litigation firm that focuses on insurance defence. Our cases pertain to any and all losses that would be covered by insurance. This includes motor vehicle accidents, fires, floods, and other property damage. Plus the firm has over 30 listed practice areas, and there is work to be done in all of them. If a student is interested in a specific field, the lawyers are more than willing to get the students involved.

2. Students' Work
Ask current students or check their program materials to see what type of work is assigned. Are you going to be doing mostly research? Sitting at a desk all day? In the library? Working online?

At MB: We are asked to prepare motion records and affidavits, client letters, and memos. We conduct engaging research and compose summaries of our findings. There is a balance of mindful work, administrative tasks, and exciting assignments. The deadlines are often very reasonable, allowing us to manage our daily schedule and allocate our time accordingly.

3. Field Trips
Do students get to leave the office? Perhaps to watch motions? Attend meetings? Go to court? How much interaction is there with the firm's clients? Do you spend a lot of time on the phone?

At MB: Students do not spend all day, every day at our desks. We are given the opportunity to attend out-of-office discoveries, mediations, and settlement conferences. We are also included in client information sessions, Professional Development seminars, and Practice Group meetings - all of which typically come with catered treats… ;)

4. The List
Ask how work is distributed to students. Do they follow a list? Is it a round-robin? First come, first served?

At MB: Our students receive work from lawyers through a list - an email group - through which we take assignments in alphabetical order. The list ensures that each student receives a variety of work, from a variety of lawyers. It bolsters teamwork and helps to eliminate competitiveness among the group.

5. Open Door Policy
You need to know about the environment of the firm. Where do you go if you need help or have questions? Can students approach lawyers directly? Or do students speak to lawyer's assistants instead? It is one thing for a firm to say they have an open-door policy, and another to actually put it into practice.

At MB:  Our lawyers encourage students to drop by their offices with questions or comments, or even just to chat. It allows everyone to build relationships and establish connections with formal and informal mentors. Since many of the lawyers were once articling and summer students, they are empathetic and very supportive. This speaks to the atmosphere of our office.

6. Hire Back Rates
Does the firm typically hire back their articling students? Is there competition to get hired back? What does it take to stand out?

At MB: Our firm is inclusive, supportive, and uncompetitive. This is evident in the firm’s attitude toward hiring back their summer students for articling positions and then as associates. As it was explained to us, we are invited to become long-term members of the team. We are not treated as visitors because we are here to stay.

7. Work-Life Balance
Ask current students what a typical week will look like? What kind of hours do they keep? Do they work on the weekends? How often?

At MB: The lawyers and students at McCague Borlack recognize and practice a work-life balance. This is somewhat uncommon to come across when speaking of a Downtown Toronto firm. As students, our workload allows us to take advantage of our well-deserved summer break, and to have personal time on the evenings and weekends.

Marla R.

Hands-on Learning Approach

We have approached the halfway point into our summer, so it is a great time to check in on how the summer is progressing and specifically give an insightful snapshot into the day and life of a student at the Ottawa office.

The open-door policy we were promised during our interviews is definitely widely practiced and an important value of the firm.

The Ottawa office is located right in the heart of downtown Ottawa’s financial district. Each morning on our walk to the office, it is always nice to grab a coffee in one of the many coffee shops, and even stop and appreciate the beautiful views of the parliament buildings before making our way to the 14th floor of the Sun Life building.

Upon arriving at the office, there is no shortage of friendly faces. Everyone in the Ottawa office has been welcoming to the new students. Whether it is sharing laughs in the boardroom over the lunch hour, or honouring the departure of a fellow colleague over pizza; the students have been included in each event. From the assistants to the lawyers, to the law clerk, everyone is approachable and willing to help us with (what seems like) our never-ending questions. The open-door policy we were promised during our interviews is definitely widely practiced and an important value of the firm. The collegial atmosphere is particularly conducive for us students to learn because we feel comfortable to ask our questions, seek out direction, make and learn from our mistakes, and seize opportunities.

We have had the opportunity to work with each and every lawyer in the Ottawa office, and many lawyers in the Toronto office. I have found that the lawyers are genuinely interested in teaching and mentoring us students. They are also happy to assign us important and extremely interesting tasks. For example, I have already had the opportunity to personally correspond with clients, conduct extensive research, draft pleadings and even write a client reporting letter, to name a few! The great thing about our office and the firm, in general, is that it takes a very hands-on learning approach. There is a great balance between having the freedom to learn how to complete the assigned tasks independently and having the support and resources required to succeed.


This summer, we have been provided with the opportunities to participate in areas of litigation we could only read about in our civil procedure class! It is so fascinating to see what we learned from the pages of our textbooks practiced in real life. For example, I have been lucky enough to observe examinations for discoveries conducted by several lawyers, and I am excited to be attending a mediation next week.

The first half of the summer at McCague Borlack has been both challenging and rewarding. I have already been afforded invaluable practical litigation experience and I am excited to see what the second half of the summer holds!

Cassandra K.