Meet Adam Dickinson, 2023 summer student
Current Rotation: BL4
A bit about me.
I am an incoming 3L at Osgoode Hall Law School. Before law school, I studied business at the Ivey Business School at Western University. Some notable extracurriculars I have been a part of include working as a Caseworker at the Investor Protection Clinic, volunteering with Pro Bono Students Canada, and acting as an executive for the Osgoode Business Law Society and Osgoode Society for Corporate Governance.
In my free time, I enjoys skiing, workout classes, and spending time with family and friends.
Why did you choose to work at Goodmans?
The simple answer is the people. Every conversation I had with Goodmans was engaging and fun. It felt effortless and made me confident that the people at the firm are those I would enjoy working with on a daily basis. Beyond the culture, I also wanted to be at a firm that works on large, exciting and challenging files. Goodmans was the perfect spot for me!
What is your biggest tip for students going through the recruit?
Don’t overthink the process. While recruitment is intimidating and preparation remains key, it’s also important not to overthink it. Interviews are usually casual conversations, and remaining confident and excited is definitely an important element. Remember, there are so many people that can help guide you through the process, so try to stay calm and confident in yourself!
What does a typical day look like for you?
I often wake up early and workout before heading to the office at around 8:30. I then go to Eddie’s (the firm’s cafeteria) to grab a coffee and before going to my office to read any new emails. Then, I visit some of the other summer students to say hi!
BL4 is a general corporate floor, and as such, we have a variety of work ranging from mergers & acquisitions to competition & foreign investment to banking & finance. Some of my individual tasks have included researching a company’s customer base, managing Closing Folders, conducting corporate research, and sitting in on exciting meetings. We also have numerous student events and professional development sessions throughout the day. These events are a great way to meet new faces and catch up with the student class.
Who do you go to when you encounter a challenge during your day-to-day?
There are so many intelligent people at the firm that are excited to help. One example of how everyone at the firm wants to help the students learn is when I encountered my first task this summer. We were still finishing our training sessions, and I was stuck on finding a definition for my memo. While in the hall, a senior partner stopped by to introduce himself and mentioned I could come to him if I had any questions, to which I asked for advice on how to find this definition. Later in the week, this partner returned to my office to see if I had found the answer. It really speaks to the culture of the firm and how much everyone wants to help each other.
Other resources I rely upon when I am stuck on a task include the Goodmans Library team and my mentors. I also ask my fellow summer students to see if they have encountered a similar challenge in the past.
To learn more about Adam’s experience, please reach out to adickinson@goodmans.ca
