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/