The Seven Sisters law firms compared

Bay Street's largest full-service firms are often called the Seven Sisters: Blakes, Davies, Goodmans, McCarthy Tétrault, Osler, Stikeman Elliott, and Torys. They pay on similar scales and recruit on the same Law Society timetable, so the differences that matter to students are how each program is run, how many students it takes, and how many it keeps. This page compares them side by side, with a profile for each firm. For how they differ from national firms, mid-size firms, and boutiques, see Bay Street firm types.

At a glance

How to read the hireback numbers

Precedent's ranking counts each firm's articling students, how many were hired back as associates, and how many opted out. It removes the opt-outs before calculating the rate. That is why McCarthy Tétrault shows 100% with 17 of 19 hired back: two students chose to leave. At this level, hireback is high everywhere. A single year's rate tells you less than the trend, so look at more than one year if you can.

Rotations or not

Most of the seven run rotations, where you spend set periods in assigned practice groups. Torys is the clear exception: its program is non-rotational, so students take work from any group they choose. Rotations give structure and built-in exposure to several groups; a non-rotational system rewards students who know what they want and go after it. Ask yourself which suits you before call day, because it changes how your summer will feel.

What every firm asks for

Firms that publish their requirements ask for the same core package: a cover letter, a resume, law school and undergraduate transcripts, any graduate transcripts, and a list of upper-year courses. Applications go through the online portal. Our guide to law student cover letters covers the letter, and Lateral Law Report can format your resume for free.

Recruit dates for summer 2027

The Law Society of Ontario's procedures set the same dates for the Seven Sisters and every other firm in the Toronto 2L recruit.

Use our free call day planner to rank your firms and book slots without clashes.

Pay

None of the seven publishes its pay, but large Toronto firms pay on similar scales. The Globe and Mail reported in 2025 that first-year associates at top-tier firms earn about $135,000 before bonuses (The Globe and Mail). See our Bay Street salary scale.

This profile uses the firm's own student pages and the public sources linked below. Lateral Law Report is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any firm. Programs change from year to year, so confirm details with the firm's student programs team before you rely on them.