Starting at your first law firm can feel exciting, awkward, intimidating, and strangely high stakes, all at the same time.

In this solo episode of Lawyer Launcher, I break down what orientation is really about, what law firms are actually paying attention to in your first few days, and how law students can build trust, confidence, and credibility from day one.

This is not fluff. It is practical advice about what to do when you arrive, how to engage during orientation, what invisible mistakes to avoid, how to interact with lawyers and staff, and how to manage the discomfort of being new without disappearing into the wallpaper.

If you are a summer student, articling student, or law student about to start in a firm, this episode will help you look more prepared, feel less lost, and understand what your first week is really doing to shape your reputation.

Show notes

Episode topic:
What orientation is really about, what firms notice immediately, and how law students can make smart, practical moves in their first week.

Guest
This is a solo episode, so there are no guest links for this one.

Lawyer Launcher links
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LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanpvandyke

This episode breaks down what actually determines whether law students get hired back after a summer, articling, or internship position.
Susan cuts through three persistent myths that mislead students from day one: that good work is enough, that mentorship will be structured and consistent, and that someone else is responsible for your development.
Instead, she explains how law firms really operate. Time is scarce, expectations are implicit, and the students who succeed are the ones who take ownership early. This episode gives you a practical framework for standing out in an environment that can feel unstructured and unpredictable.
If you are heading into a law firm role or trying to secure a return offer, this is essential listening.

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In this episode of Lawyer Launcher: Behind the Bar, Susan Van Dyke sits down with leadership coach and former Big Law professional Megan Mallister to unpack one of the most misunderstood success factors in law firms: emotional intelligence.

Law school teaches you how to think. It does not teach you how to navigate personalities, manage pressure, receive feedback, or build trust inside a firm.

Megan reframes “soft skills” as power skills — the capabilities that differentiate lawyers who simply survive from those who thrive.

They discuss:

• What emotional intelligence really means in a law firm environment
  
  
• Why stress is where EQ actually gets tested
  
  
• How to “manage up” and clarify expectations with partners
  
  
• The right way to receive constructive feedback
  
  
• How to create your own development plan as a summer or articling student
  
  
• Why you need an internal “board of directors” instead of just one mentor
  
  
• How to zoom out when early-career pressure feels overwhelming
  
  

If you are preparing to enter your first firm — or trying to stand out in a competitive environment — this episode offers practical tools, scripts, and mindset shifts that will serve you for your entire career.

These are not soft skills.
They are career-defining skills.

EPISODE NOTES:

Megan McAllister Consulting and Coaching: https://www.meganmcallister.ca/

Megan’s LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-mcallister/

In this episode of Lawyer Launcher, mediator Mark Tweedy, K.C, discusses the rapid growth of mediation across Canada and the U.S., particularly since 2020, and why it has become central to modern dispute resolution.

He explains that mediation is no longer a last-minute procedural step before trial—it is increasingly a strategic inflection point in litigation. Court backlogs, cost pressures, and client expectations have pushed lawyers to pursue resolution earlier and more deliberately.

Key themes include:

• Mediation as strategy, not compromise. Effective lawyers use mediation to shape risk, manage psychology, and test leverage—not simply “split the difference.”
• The psychology of settlement. Ego, perception of fairness, and emotional drivers often matter more than pure legal strength.
• What makes a strong mediation advocate. Preparation, credible risk analysis, and disciplined communication outperform theatrics.
• Common lawyer mistakes. Overconfidence, positional bargaining, and failing to understand the opposing party’s interests undermine resolution.
• Opportunities for junior lawyers. Observing negotiation dynamics and preparing strong briefs can significantly elevate their value in practice.

The episode ultimately reframes mediation as a core litigation competency and a sophisticated discipline requiring strategic judgment and interpersonal skill.

EPISODE NOTES:

Mark’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-tweedy-kc-9172941/

Mark Tweedy Mediation + Arbitration: https://marktweedy.com/

This episode is not about résumés.

It’s about how you run your job search — and who you become in the process.

In this solo episode of Lawyer Launcher - Behind the Bar, I’m speaking directly to law students and junior lawyers navigating the transition from law school to their first firm role.

After decades working inside and alongside law firms, advising leadership teams, recruiting lawyers, and mentoring students, I’ve seen one consistent truth:

Careers don’t happen by accident. They’re built deliberately.

In this episode, we go beyond recruitment tactics and focus on the structure, mindset, and professional habits that separate reactive candidates from strategic ones. We cover:

• Why searching for a job is a job
• How to normalize (and use) discomfort
• The reality of imposter syndrome at every level
• Why silence from firms isn’t personal
• How hiring actually works inside firms
• Why every interaction is part of your application
• Social media and LinkedIn — what firms really see
• How to build a networking system (not random coffee chats)
• Finding mentors who accelerate your growth
• Narrowing your focus without locking yourself in
• Why comparison will quietly sabotage you

This is about taking ownership early — not waiting for clarity, permission, or perfect timing.

If you’re in OCIs, articling recruitment, internships, or preparing for your first associate role, this episode gives you a practical roadmap you can implement immediately.

In this episode of the Lawyer Launcher podcast, Susan Van Dyke and Johanna Mills sit down with Marketta Jokinen, former national-firm lawyer, law firm recruiter, and career coach, to unpack what law students really need to know about law firm recruitment. Marketta is the Founder of Legal Talent Consultant and Career Coach at Current Talent.

With experience spanning private practice, a labour relations board, and national-firm recruitment and talent management, Marketta brings a rare 360-degree insider perspective on how firms assess candidates—and how students can stand out.

This conversation is essential listening for law students preparing for OCIs, in-firms, summer student applications, and articles, particularly at larger firms.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why mindset matters just as much as grades in law firm recruitment
  
  
• How being “curious” can reduce anxiety and improve interviews
  
  
• Why firms struggle with “I’m open to everything” candidates—and what to say instead
  
  
• How to narrow your focus without pigeonholing yourself
  
  
• What recruiters actually notice when reviewing hundreds of résumés
  
  
• How to turn your résumé from a list of duties into compelling accomplishments
  
  
• The role of storytelling in interviews—and how to avoid sounding over-rehearsed
  
  
• How preparation builds confidence and makes the process more enjoyable
  
  
• Choosing between boutique, mid-size, and large firms—and why applying broadly matters
  
  
• Finding “your people” and assessing firm fit beyond rankings and perks
  
  

Marketta also shares practical, immediately usable tips for:

• Writing stronger cover letters
  
  
• Preparing interview stories
  
  
• Understanding what firms are really hiring for
  
  
• Approaching recruitment as the first step in a long, successful legal career

Episode notes:

Marketta Jokinen’s website is www.currenttalent.ca

Markett’s LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/markettajokinen/

Behind the Bar with David Brown — Ascent Employment Law
In this episode, Susan sits down with employment lawyer and Ascent Employment Law co-founder David Brown for an honest, grounded, and deeply practical conversation about building your legal career with intention. David shares his unconventional articling story, the power of relationships, how to navigate discomfort, and why young lawyers should be both “house cats” and “alley cats” in their early years.

Whether you’re a law student, an articling student, or a new associate trying to find your footing, this episode gives you guidance you can act on today.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• How David created an articling role for himself through strategic relationship-building
  
  
• Why discomfort is part of the profession—and how to lean into it
  
  
• The truth about networking (and why it’s a muscle, not a personality trait)
  
  
• How to think like an entrepreneur early in your career
  
  
• What to do if you’re in the wrong firm or wrong practice area
  
  
• The “house cat vs. alley cat” model for succeeding as a junior lawyer
  
  
• How values shape firm culture—and how Ascent built a values-led practice from day one

Episode notes:

David Brown LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmjbrown/

Ascent Employment Law website: https://ascentemploymentlaw.ca/

In this episode of Behind the Bar, I sit down with litigator, Mark Virgin, who brings more than 30 years of practice experience—and an extraordinary level of candor—to a conversation every law student and junior lawyer needs to hear.
Mark shares the lessons he wishes he knew as an articling student, including why you should always ask the “stupid” question, how to find the right mentors inside a firm, and what it actually means to “reach up” when you need help. He also speaks openly about his journey with anxiety, how he learned to manage it, and why early-career lawyers must proactively build healthy habits and support systems.
We also cover:
• How to communicate effectively as a junior lawyer—and avoid the 50% misunderstanding trap
• Why self-awareness, curiosity, and preparation are foundational to success
• The professional etiquette expectations that genuinely matter in law firms
• How to build a client-centric mindset early in your career
• The long-term value of community involvement and choosing causes that matter to you
• Why your ethical compass—and your reputation—are your most important assets in law
This conversation is packed with practical guidance, stories from Mark’s career, and honest reflections that will help you navigate articling, summering, and your first few years of practice with more confidence, clarity, and resilience.

Episode notes:

Anxiety Canada: https://www.anxietycanada.com/
Lawyers Assistance Program BC: https://www.lapbc.com/
CBA Lawyer Assistance Program: https://cba.org/resources/well-being-and-lawyer-assistance/