Precedent’s annual survey of the 17 Toronto law offices that consistently hire the most articling students showed that some of the country’s most competitive first-year positions are becoming harder to land.

Overall, 72 percent of articling students were hired back by these 16 firms and the Department of Justice (DOJ). That’s 209 hires out of 292 students, not including the 23 students choosing to opt out. Last year, there were 231 hires out of 303, excluding 16 opt-outs. While these numbers are still higher than the dismal 2009 hireback rate of 67 percent, they show a gradual decrease from 78 percent in 2011 and 75 percent in 2012. On average, each firm hired about one student fewer in 2013 compared to a year before.

“It’s still going to be a challenge for articling students and newly-minted lawyers,” says John Ohnjec, division director for Robert Half Legal, a legal staffing agency. A 2013 survey by RHL predicts that lawyers with five or more years of experience — not industry newcomers — will be most in demand in the second half of 2013.

However, Karen MacKay, president of consulting group Phoenix Legal, says that not being hired back isn’t the end of a legal career. “So many students don’t know about Bay Street until they go to law school,” says MacKay. “With the on-campus interview process and the competition for articling spots, they sometimes end up on Bay Street whether they really wanted to or not.”

MacKay suggests that, after not getting hired back, young lawyers should research the many employment options for law grads. “Don’t wallow. Get excited about the beginning of something new.”

2013 hireback rates

Goodmans — 100%
Torys — 89%
Cassels Brock — 89%
Osler — 86%
McCarthys — 86%
Blakes — 85%
Davies — 82%
Norton Rose — 81%
Dentons — 77%
Bennett Jones — 73%
BLG — 64%
Gowlings — 60%
Stikemans — 56%
McMillan — 50%
Faskens — 47%
Heenan Blaikie — 36%
DOJ — 27%

Do the math

66 — Percentage point decrease in hirebacks at the DOJ. The largest overall drop from last year’s survey
11 — Number of big firms that decreased their hireback percentages in 2013, up from eight in 2012
100 — Hireback percentage for Goodmans (excluding one opt-out). Its first appearance in the top five
23 — Students hired back by Blakes, the most by any firm. It hired 85 percent of its articling students
0 — Number of firms that still offer “guaranteed hirebacks.” Osler was the last to give it up in 2012

Web exclusive: Plan B

Karen MacKay of Phoenix Legal offers her suggestions for getting past not getting hired.

Land a great reference

Sit down with your mentor and make sure she has access to your law school grades and updated resumé. Work together to craft a letter to potential employers about your strengths and experience.

Think short term

Focus on finding a job that will help you build confidence, skills and a network over the next two to three years. Then, reflect on what you’ve learned and re-evaluate your position. “You’re not looking for the job you’ll have for the rest of your life,” says MacKay.

Tap into your passions

Figure out which courses you enjoyed the most in law school. Work towards getting into that area of law by boosting your skill set — perhaps taking Continuing Professional Development courses — and networking with lawyers in that sector to learn more about it and where the jobs are.