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to hearing from you.
Summer Student Recruitment
We are participating in the Summer Student Recruitment process. We will accept applications via the ViLawPortal and will follow the Law Society’s procedures. Please address applications to:
Brookelyn Kirkham
Polley Faith LLP
77 King St. West, Suite 2110
TD North Tower
Toronto, ON M5K 2A1
Ariana Zunino
Summer Student
A little bit about me:
I am a rising 3L at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law. Before starting law school, I completed my undergraduate degree at York University, where I majored in Criminology and minored in Humanities. I was honored with the Governor General’s Silver Medal for completing my degree with one of the three highest academic standings in the 2023 undergraduate class.
In law school, I have participated in different legal clinics, including the Downtown Legal Services and The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. Through these experiences, I learned what it means to do legal work for underprivileged communities and developed my already long-standing passion for advocacy.
When I am not at my computer, you can find me reading a book, binge watching The Americans or swimming laps in a pool!
My best tip for students going through the recruit:
First, relax! This sounds like an impossible task, and I remember how much pressure I felt during the process with so much relying on its outcome, but I promise it will be ok! Think about the recruit as an opportunity to learn: about different firms, about different people, about different practices, and more than anything, about yourself. The sooner you become okay with the discomfort of not knowing and committing yourself to learn all that you can, the easier your time is, and more rewarding the process becomes.
Second, be honest with yourself! In many ways the recruit is like a reality dating TV show. You want to make sure all the contestants fall in love with you while negotiating the noise of others vying for the same interest. At the end of the day, you have to prioritize finding “the one” you’re most interested in! Going to a firm where you are comfortable in their environment, excited about their work, and engaged in the opportunities they present to you will lead to the most learning being done, and with that, the best experience being had. Don’t lose sight that this is what the process is all about!
Why did I choose Polley Faith?
I chose Polley Faith for many reasons. The first was the broad range of work the firm does. Any fear I had of being bored on the job was quashed. I knew I would be faced with diverse and challenging work. Second, the collaborative and energetic nature of the team was an environment I could see myself thriving in! From the first time I stepped into the office, I felt comfortable to ask the questions I needed answers to, and be honest about what I was looking for in a firm. This was the feeling I knew I needed to be able to learn as a law student, and to develop into a great lawyer. Third, the Polley Faith team is genuine. They promised excellent mentorship, assignments that played important roles on files, and unparalleled training to meet the high standards Polley Faith prides itself on. After only 6 weeks with the firm, they have already delivered on this promise.
A typical day in my life:
It depends…the typically unsatisfying answer! When I arrive at the office in the morning, I stop by our beautifully stocked kitchen to grab a coffee and a snack, and then head to my office to start my day. I will spend the morning working on whatever task I have coming due (right now it’s drafting a factum and reviewing affidavits), and wait for an exciting call from one of the lawyers asking, “do you have capacity?”. Ebun, the other summer student, and I often venture down to the PATH to grab lunch together when we are not in a “lunch and learn” session taught by one of the lawyers. After lunch I take advantage of the firm’s open-door policy and stop by someone’s office for a chat. I then work to finish up the latest assignment before heading home. While the specifics look different, the constant in each day is that I learn something new!
Ebun Akomolafe
Summer Student
A little bit about me:
I’m an incoming 3L at Osgoode Hall Law School. Before law school, I completed my Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Alberta, with a major in Strategic Management and Organization. I helped small business owners as a Digital Consultant at the School of Business Consulting Group and pitched creative solutions to various companies through case competitions. I also co-founded the SpeechDojo Education Foundation to expand access to public speaking training.
Since coming to law school, I’ve been heavily involved in mooting, both as a competitor and an executive of the Osgoode Mooting Society. These experiences have repeatedly solidified my desire for a career centered around advocacy. I’m so glad I get to start that journey at Polley Faith!
How does a student typically contribute to a file?
There are so many different ways! One main way is to take the first crack at drafting documents like statements of claim or defence, affidavits, factums, letters, etc. An associate or partner will review and modify it afterwards, and I learn as I see them do it. Another obvious one is researching a specific issue for a lawyer. Most of the time, I’m sending the answer in email form, but occasionally, for a more complex issue, I’ll write a memo. Students may also interview affiants, compile chronologies, participate in document review, handle correspondence and phone calls with clients and witnesses, and more. The lean way files are staffed means students are more plugged in to the bigger picture than we might otherwise be.
What’s my favourite thing about being at Polley Faith?
How supportive of an environment it is. Of course, I love the caliber and variety of work I’m given the chance to do. I’m glad I get to try new things every day, and I love the standard of excellence the firm holds itself to. But what makes the experience truly great is how supported I feel in the journey to meeting that standard – by the associates, who constantly remind me that it’s okay to feel like I don’t know what I’m doing, to the staff, who fill in many practical gaps in my knowledge and equip me with all the right tools, to the partners, who always deliver feedback with kindness. I can feel how sincerely everyone wants to see me succeed.
A typical day in my life:
On my way to my office in the morning, I stop by the kitchen for a glass of water or hot chocolate. I might also grab one of the many pastries on the island; they’re a guilty pleasure. While I’m there, I’ll probably run into a few other people getting ready for the day – I’ll learn about their weekends or what they’re working on at the moment. When I get to my office, I set up my workstation and update the to do list on my whiteboard. Then I pop over next door to the office of my fellow summer student, Ariana, to catch up on what she’s been up to since I last saw her.
Now I’m ready to get started on whatever the first task of the day is. No two days are the same – I might be attending an appearance at provincial offences court, drafting an affidavit for a Federal Court application, meeting with a partner to discuss litigation strategy on an evolving case, researching a breach of contract issue, observing a hearing, or reading up on some element of civil procedure for an upcoming matter. If I’m ever lost or confused, I’ll stop by the office of anyone whose door is open (which is everyone when they’re not in a meeting) and ask for help.
At lunchtime, I’ll get something from the Path if I’m not already going out to eat with a lawyer or attending a “lunch and learn” in the library. In the afternoon, a lawyer might ask me to sit in on a surprise client meeting, where I’ll take notes. I might pop by someone’s office just to chat about what they’re up to, if they’re not too busy. Lawyers might stop by mine with an urgent research task.
At the end of the day, I’ll make a plan for what needs to be done tomorrow. Then I’ll submit my docket for the day and check in with Ariana before I head out for the evening.
