Moving firms as a student?

[A Moving Potato]

How hard is it to lateral from one bay street firm to another after articling? If I wanted to do that, how would I go about it? Reaching out to the student hiring team/associate hiring team at each firm? Any advice is appreciated.

[Jaggers]

It's pretty easy, as long as the firm you want to go to is hiring. Which is entirely out of your control, of course. But if you know the associate coordinator there, letting them know you're interested would probably almost guarantee you an interview if they're looking for someone.

A lot of hiring on Bay St happens a little bit by stealth as people move without positions ever being posted, so talking to them would increase your chances. But nobody is going to create a new opening for a first year associate just because someone has reached out.