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CategoryBlakesMcCarthy Tétrault
Firm NameBlakesMcCarthy Tétrault
Source Status
Official Sources ReviewedOfficial firm sources reviewed
Partially Source-ReviewedPartial official sources reviewed
Source Vault
AvailableHigh confidence
AvailableHigh confidence
OfficesCalgary, Vancouver, TorontoCalgary, Vancouver, Montréal, Toronto
Summer Class Size15+26
Articling Class SizeNot verifiedNot verified
Hireback
The firm historically maintains strong hireback rates for students who perform well.Specific hireback percentages not verified.
2025 Vancouver articling hireback:
Office SizeNot verifiedNot verified
Firm TypeNational full-service law firmNational full-service law firm
Practice Strengths
SecuritiesMergers & AcquisitionsBanking & Financial ServicesCommercial LitigationEnvironmental Law+ 2 more
Business / Commercial LawMergers & AcquisitionsSecuritiesBanking & FinanceMining+ 7 more
Student ProgramBlakes' Vancouver student-program materials describe summer and articling programs designed to provide well-rounded business law experience, training, mentorship, and exposure to different practice groups. The Vancouver summer program welcomes applications from incoming second-year JD students through ViLawPortal. The articling program builds on the summer experience and includes a three-rotation system, mentorship, professional development, informal feedback, and formal review points.Student-facing materials typically emphasize formal learning, mentorship, practice group exposure, and work on complex client mandates. Public student program information should be verified directly with the firm.
Culture Themes
Strong camaraderieAthlete cultureHigh-performance environmentFormal wellness initiatives+ 9 more
National platformHigh-performance environmentStructured trainingExtensive mentorship+ 6 more
Recruiting Themes
Toronto Articling 2027–2028: Blakes has confirmed that it is not hiring articling students for the Toronto 2027–2028 cycle.Toronto 1L Summer 2026: Participating in the recruit process.Toronto 1L applications are submitted through viLawPortal.Toronto 1L interviews are conducted in person.+ 9 more
Vancouver 2L Summer 2026: Participating in the Vancouver recruit and TRU Law OCI process.Vancouver applications are submitted through viDesktop / viLawPortal.Calgary 1L Summer 2026: Participating in the recruit through viLawPortal.Toronto 1L Summer 2026: Recruiting specifically for Intellectual Property Litigation positions.+ 21 more
Interview Style / Insights
Attention to detail is critical.Incorrect firm names, addresses, or drafting errors in application materials are viewed negatively.Candidates should avoid sounding scripted or robotic.Authenticity and personality fit are repeatedly emphasized.+ 9 more
Personality and energy are viewed as important recruiting factors.Candidates do not need to become experts on every aspect of the firm.McCarthy Tétrault interviews often include structured behavioral questions.Students should prepare concrete examples demonstrating leadership, teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving.+ 7 more
Sources Used
Firm Source Vault: blakesNALP: blakesVBA: Vancouver 2027/2028 Hiring IntentionsUltra Vires: Toronto Summer 2026 2L Recruit Numbers+ 1 more
Firm Source Vault: mccarthy-tetraultNALP: mccarthy-tetraultUltra Vires: Toronto Summer 2026 2L Recruit NumbersUltra Vires: Vancouver Summer 2026 2L Recruit Results
CompensationCompensation information to be verified.Compensation information to be verified. Current compensation should be confirmed with the applicable office.
BillablesBillable target information to be verified.Billable target information to be verified. Expectations may vary by office, class year, practice group, and matter flow.
CultureOfficial scraped sources emphasize mentorship, training, development, collaboration, inclusion, student integration, feedback, social events, and pro bono opportunities. Student-facing statements in the source also describe relationships with mentors and exposure to different lawyers and practice areas.Public materials often present the firm as a sophisticated national business law platform with significant training, client service, and innovation-focused work.
WorkloadNot found in scraped official sources. The sources describe meaningful work, exposure to active practice groups, and training, but do not state workload expectations.Workload may be demanding in active corporate, litigation, technology, finance, and infrastructure files.
Recruiting NotesThe Vancouver student-program source says Blakes follows the Vancouver Bar Association Guidelines. Application materials include a cover letter, resume, official post-secondary and law school transcripts, GPA if available, and an optional proposed upper-year course list. The source says the firm typically hires articling students from its summer student class and generally does not participate in articling student recruitment.Recruiting details may vary by office and recruit cycle. Candidates should prepare specific reasons for the relevant office, including Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, or Montréal where applicable, and the practice areas they want to explore.
Interview NotesThe scraped Vancouver student-program source describes a general interview process that may include an ITC email in advance of Call Day, a first interview with lawyers lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes, an opportunity to meet with an associate and articling student, a second interview as an individual meal with lawyers, possible additional meetings, and student reception or dinner events during Interview Week. Applicants should verify current interview details directly with the firm.Strong preparation includes examples of resilience, analytical judgment, collaboration, and curiosity about commercial legal work.
Last Updated2026-05-302026-05-30

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Blakes

National full-service law firm

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SecuritiesMergers & AcquisitionsBanking & Financial ServicesCommercial LitigationStrong camaraderieAthlete culture

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Culture Fit

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McCarthy Tétrault

National full-service law firm

Open profile
Business / Commercial LawMergers & AcquisitionsSecuritiesBanking & FinanceNational platformHigh-performance environment

Practice Fit

  • Which practice strengths align with your interests?
  • Which experiences could you connect to this firm's work?

Culture Fit

  • Which culture themes resonate with your working style?
  • What would you want to learn through coffee chats?

Recruit Preparation

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  • What stories could demonstrate your interest in this firm's work?
  • What thoughtful questions could you ask during interviews?

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