Articling Hireback Watch

[Vitron]

Given that it’s that time of the year again, thought I’d make a thread for the sake of transparency on hireback stats and updates.

Post below! If you’d like to remain anonymous, feel free to shoot me a message and I’ll post anonymously on your behalf. 

 

[boyo]

So far I've heard of Torys and Davies completing their hireback.

In case you don't know about it, there's JD Precedent's watch list: https://lawandstyle.ca/hireback-watch/. Looks like they haven't started 2023 but I imagine it's coming.

[NewJd5726]

Cassels hired back their entire class from what I've heard. 

1 hour ago, boyo said:

So far I've heard of Torys and Davies completing their hireback.

In case you don't know about it, there's JD Precedent's watch list: https://lawandstyle.ca/hireback-watch/. Looks like they haven't started 2023 but I imagine it's coming.

Any idea of the hireback rate at either firm?

[boyo]

3 hours ago, NewJd5726 said:

Cassels hired back their entire class from what I've heard. 

Any idea of the hireback rate at either firm?

Over 90% at each.

[Vitron]

[Anonymous submission] Minden Gross apparently did not hire back any articling students.

[QuitProQuo]

1 hour ago, Vitron said:

[Anonymous submission] Minden Gross apparently did not hire back any articling students.

Seriously? Are they really hurting that bad?

[LMP]

5 minutes ago, QuitProQuo said:

Seriously? Are they really hurting that bad?

I do wonder how many opted out. But either way that certianly is an eyebrow raising result. 

[statutebarred]

Heard from a friend of a friend that none of them opted out.

[Ahhhh]

heard Dentons and Blakes had completed their hireback.

[boyo]

Up and running (but bare for now): https://lawandstyle.ca/hireback-watch/toronto-wide-hireback-numbers/

[Ahhhh]

Wildeboer’s start date is next February. Seriously?

[Disbarred]

9 hours ago, Ohoh said:

Wildeboer’s start date is next February. Seriously?

I noticed this too. Is this accurate and is there a reason it’s so late?

[boyo]

1 hour ago, Disbarred said:

I noticed this too. Is this accurate and is there a reason it’s so late?

Must be accurate since I think JD Precedent only accepts info from the rep of a firm.

[QueensDenning]

2 hours ago, Disbarred said:

I noticed this too. Is this accurate and is there a reason it’s so late?

The only reason I can think of is not a ton of work and saving overhead $. 

[PzabbytheLawyer]

Truth be told if a firm guaranteed my employment and gave me 7 months off between articling, I'd have taken that deal, packed up a back pack, and only came back after new year's.

Edited May 9, 2023 by PzabbytheLawyer

[chaboywb]

7 hours ago, Disbarred said:

I noticed this too. Is this accurate and is there a reason it’s so late?

If you go back a few years, their start date used to be January and, in some years, associates got a choice of October or January. So it's not completely out of left field.

Nice to see solid hireback numbers so far considering the rough market.

Edited May 9, 2023 by chaboywb

[Ahhhh]

2 hours ago, chaboywb said:

If you go back a few years, their start date used to be January and, in some years, associates got a choice of October or January. So it's not completely out of left field.

That’s interesting. Curious why they offered January in past years 

[icantevenjust]

does anyone know about fasken? 

[LMP]

2 minutes ago, icantevenjust said:

does anyone know about fasken? 

The people I know articling there found out today. Though I don't know the numbers yet. But at least two so far. 

[Squirtle]

On 4/28/2023 at 2:17 PM, boyo said:

Over 90% at each.

Is this on precedent? I see Davies stats but not Torys for 2023. I've heard that Torys was 100% this year.

[Ahhhh]

Has anyone heard firms offering contract positions to the students they are hiring back?

[123sueme]

13 hours ago, Ahhhh said:

Has anyone heard firms offering contract positions to the students they are hiring back?

I heard this rumour. It helps keep firms hireback numbers high but gives flexibility to let a bunch of them go after a few months cause of a potential recession.

also heard that there were some first/second year associate layoffs

[OzLaw16]

1 hour ago, 123sueme said:

It helps keep firms hireback numbers high

Maybe something's changed recently in the reporting, but in past years, students who were only offered contract positions weren't counted as being "hired back" on PrecedentJD or on NALP. On PrecedentJD, there'd be a note in the Notes column saying something to the effect of "the firm offered a short-term contract position to the students who were not hired back as associates." 

[reaperlaw]

7 hours ago, 123sueme said:

I heard this rumour. It helps keep firms hireback numbers high but gives flexibility to let a bunch of them go after a few months cause of a potential recession.

also heard that there were some first/second year associate layoffs

Can confirm that both (1) junior lawyer layoffs; and (2) short-term contract officers reminiscent of the old "fireback", have happened in Toronto. 

[Turtles]

40 minutes ago, reaperlaw said:

Can confirm that both (1) junior lawyer layoffs; and (2) short-term contract officers reminiscent of the old "fireback", have happened in Toronto. 

Please name and shame for those not in the loop (invitation to name and shame open to all).