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CategoryDentonsGowling WLG
Firm NameDentonsGowling WLG
Source Status
Partially Source-ReviewedPartial official sources reviewed
Official Sources ReviewedOfficial firm sources reviewed
Source Vault
AvailableHigh confidence
AvailableHigh confidence
OfficesCalgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Ottawa, TorontoCalgary, Hamilton, Kitchener, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo
Summer Class Size6–86–8
Articling Class SizeNot verifiedNot verified
Hireback
The firm reported a 100% articling hireback rate in 2025 (8 of 8 students seeking associate positions received offers).Year: 2025, Students Seeking Positions: 8, Offers Made: 8, Hireback Rate: 100%
2025 articling hireback rate: 3 of 5 students seeking positions received offers.2026 articling hireback rate: 6 of 6 students seeking positions received offers.Year: 2025, Students Seeking Positions: 5, Offers Made: 3, Hireback Rate: 60%+ 1 more
Office SizeNot verifiedNot verified
Firm TypeGlobal full-service law firmGlobal full-service law firm
Practice Strengths
SecuritiesBankingReal EstateInsolvency & RestructuringTax Litigation+ 5 more
Intellectual PropertyPatentsReal EstateCorporateCommercial Litigation+ 7 more
Student ProgramStudent-facing materials typically emphasize broad practice exposure, mentorship, training, and access to a large global platform. Public student program information should be verified directly with the firm.Official sources describe summer and articling programs that expose students to firm practice areas, connect them with lawyers and agents, and allow students to pursue areas of interest. The Vancouver summer program is generally for second-year law students.
Culture Themes
Global platformStrong mentorshipCareer Compass development frameworkCollaborative environment+ 6 more
Highly collaborative environmentInternational platformStrong mentorshipBroad skill development+ 6 more
Recruiting Themes
Toronto Articling 2027–2028: Participating in the recruit process.Toronto articling applications are submitted through viLawPortal.Toronto 1L Summer 2026: Participating in the recruit process.Toronto 1L applications are submitted through viLawPortal and interviews are conducted in person.+ 20 more
Toronto Summer 2026: Participating in the recruit process.Toronto OCIs are conducted virtually through Microsoft Teams.Toronto in-firm interviews are generally conducted in person and last approximately 75–80 minutes.The firm plans to send Intent to Call (ITC) communications before Call Day.+ 19 more
Interview Style / Insights
Dentons interviews may include more formal behavioral questions than some competing firms.Candidates should prepare detailed examples demonstrating leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience.Building meaningful connections with members of the recruitment committee is considered beneficial.Strong grades are important for securing interviews, but personality and experience play a major role in obtaining offers.+ 14 more
Candidates should prepare meaningful questions for each interview.Students are encouraged to avoid sounding overly rehearsed or robotic.Personality and cultural fit are viewed as important recruiting considerations.Students should demonstrate curiosity, engagement, and genuine interest in the firm.+ 6 more
Sources Used
Firm Source Vault: dentonsNALP: dentonsVBA: Vancouver 2027/2028 Hiring Intentions
Firm Source Vault: gowling-wlgNALP: gowling-wlgVBA: Vancouver 2027/2028 Hiring IntentionsUltra Vires: Toronto Summer 2026 2L Recruit Numbers
CompensationCompensation information to be verified. Details may vary by office, year, and program.Compensation information to be verified.
BillablesBillable target information to be verified. Expectations may vary across local, national, and cross-border matters.Official Vancouver materials say there is no student target and reference a 1,750 annual billable-hour budget for Vancouver associates. Verify current expectations directly with Gowling WLG.
CulturePublic-facing materials generally present the firm as broad-based, international, collaborative, and sector-diverse.Official sources emphasize collaboration, team orientation, inclusion, and professional development. The Vancouver student source describes the Vancouver culture as team-based, collegial, democratic, and informal.
WorkloadWorkload may vary significantly by practice, with deadline pressure in transactions, real estate, energy, litigation, and regulatory matters.Official Vancouver materials say there is no target number of hours for students, while students are generally expected to carry workload similar to associates. Current expectations should be verified directly with Gowling WLG.
Recruiting NotesRecruiting details may vary by office and recruit cycle. Candidates should be ready to explain interest in a global platform and local office strengths, including Edmonton and other Canadian offices where relevant.Official Vancouver materials say Gowling WLG recruits according to Vancouver Bar Association guidelines, accepts applications through viPortal, and participates in on-campus interviews at UBC, UVic, and Thompson Rivers University.
Interview NotesInterview preparation should include adaptability, teamwork, practice interests, and examples of initiative.The scraped Vancouver source mentions on-campus interviews but does not describe a complete interview process. Interview details should be verified directly with Gowling WLG.
Last Updated2026-05-302026-05-30

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Dentons

Global full-service law firm

Open profile
SecuritiesBankingReal EstateInsolvency & RestructuringGlobal platformStrong mentorship

Practice Fit

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  • Which experiences could you connect to this firm's work?

Culture Fit

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  • What would you want to learn through coffee chats?

Recruit Preparation

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  • What thoughtful questions could you ask during interviews?

Gowling WLG

Global full-service law firm

Open profile
Intellectual PropertyPatentsReal EstateCorporateHighly collaborative environmentInternational platform

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

  • Which lawyers or practice groups should you research?
  • What stories could demonstrate your interest in this firm's work?
  • What thoughtful questions could you ask during interviews?

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