Meet Alexa Guerra, 2023 summer student
Current Rotation: Litigation
Alexa is entering her final year at U of T Law. Prior to law school, Alexa attended Queen’s University, where she majored in Global Development and minored in Political Studies. In her free time, Alexa enjoys playing NYT word games, doing yoga/pilates, and obsessing over Taylor Swift.
Why did you choose to work at Goodmans?
My decision to work at Goodmans was very personal, in that during the recruit I connected with many amazing lawyers who made me feel like I was already a part of the team. I had no doubt that I would be able to form amazing mentorship relationships here, and I was absolutely right.
What is your biggest tip for students going through the recruit?
I would say trust your gut, be flexible in the process, and be true to yourself. Things move quickly once OCIs and in-firms start so it’s really important to constantly check in with yourself about how you’re feeling about the different firms and what you want to get out of the process.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No day looks the same but, as a Litigation student, there is one common thread: research! Much of my day revolves around doing research for the lawyers I’m working with, and often doing some writing to communicate my findings. The research usually involves trying to answer a legal question or trying to find a case that supports the position the lawyers want to take.
I like to come to the office most days, but I’m not much of a morning person so I’ll usually arrive around 9:30. Once I arrive, I usually say hi to Molly (another summer student/my office neighbour– she always get to the office before me), and then get to work. Depending on the day, there are also usually lots of social activities for the students or the whole firm, like Hits & Misses or Wellness Wednesday!
What has been your favourite social event so far?
I hosted all of the summer students at my apartment during the first week of work, and I’ll always remember it as our first bonding experience!
What has been your favourite task so far?
I’m currently working on a file with former Supreme Court Justice Michael Moldaver (or, as he likes to be called, Mikey). It’s so cool to be able to work closely with someone that is so smart and accomplished.
Who do you go to when you encounter a challenge during your day-to-day?
Most of my work-related challenges involve hitting a dead end in my research. When this happens, I usually go to the library or to one of our Research lawyers and they are always super helpful! My mentors are also an amazing resource for learning how to navigate my practice. Finally, the summer students are all super supportive of each other! Whenever I have a question, I can always pop it in our Teams chat and someone will answer it within minutes.
