Summer Students - Winnipeg
Important Date: Deadline to Apply is Friday, January 16, 2026 by 12 PM CST
TDS is looking to hire up to five first-year law students to work out of our Winnipeg office for the summer of 2026.
Experience and Opportunity
The Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP (“TDS”) Summer Student Program provides law students with hands-on experience in the practice of law and the opportunity to get to know the firm’s lawyers and diverse practice areas.
Summer Students are typically assigned to four or five lawyers working across different areas of law.
Students assist with
- Legal research and drafting documents
- Preparation for court proceedings and other hearings
They have the opportunity to:
- Accompany lawyers to client meetings
- Attend pre-trial proceedings and hearings
- Participate in commercial transaction closings
Summer Students are invited to take part in the firm’s in-house education seminars and social events during their active employment.
These experiences provide exposure to a variety of practice areas, hands-on learning, and meaningful connections with lawyers and peers, giving students a well-rounded view of life at a full-service law firm in Winnipeg.
Our goal is to help the next generation of lawyers feel supported, challenged, and part of the team from day one.
Why TDS Winnipeg
Our work reaches real clients and real communities, giving students the opportunity to follow files through their lifecycle in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Choosing to complete your summer at TDS in Winnipeg offers unique advantages that reflect our firm’s strong position in the market. Our firm offers students meaningful exposure to a broad range of practice areas and hands-on work that contributes directly to client matters.
Students work closely with lawyers at every level of seniority — an experience that can make a long-term impact on future careers. This structure supports the development of strong skills, confidence, and early mentorship relationships that continue long after the summer term ends.
A Winnipeg-based summer program also means:
- Building long-term professional relationships within the Manitoba legal community
- Increasing your chances of return offers and future career opportunities in the province
- Benefiting from strong student retention rates
- Enjoying a balanced lifestyle in a familiar city, without the relocation pressures of Calgary or other provinces
At TDS, we believe there is truly no place like home. Our summer student program provides exceptional experience while keeping you connected to the community you know and value.
Commitment to Diversity
At TDS, one of our core values is fostering diversity and reflecting the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from students who identify as Indigenous, as a member of a visible minority, as a person with a disability, and/or as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We celebrate diverse perspectives and encourage you to bring your full self to our summer program, helping shape a vibrant and inclusive workplace.
Applicant Details
Interested students should apply by completing the online application form and attaching:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Law school grades to date (if available)
Applications are only accepted from students currently completing their first year of law school in the 2025–2026 academic year.
Interviews will be conducted from Monday, February 2, 2026, to Friday, February 6, 2026.
Anticipated start date: May 4, 2026
Salary: Competitive with other Winnipeg summer student programs
We thank all students who express interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
About the TDS Firm
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP is a full-service law firm with 100+ lawyers, headquartered in True North Square, Winnipeg, with offices across Manitoba and in Saskatchewan.
TDS has been recognized and recommended by Chambers Global and Benchmark Litigation and named one of the top regional firms in the Prairies by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. Many of our lawyers are consistently acknowledged by Best Lawyers® in Canada and LEXPERT® as leaders in their respective practice areas.
Stéphanie Tétreault, TDS Partner
Former Chair of the Student Committee
Our summer student program pairs each of our students with a number of principals in various practice areas. Our students work alongside their principals throughout the summer.
During my very first year as a summer student, one of my principals almost immediately became an important mentor. I recall feeling comfortable asking him questions that at the time, felt a bit silly – about wardrobe, email etiquette, how to talk to a client on the phone for the first time, etc.
Almost 15 years later, that person is still my mentor and friend.
Alyssa Mariani, TDS Partner
Former Summer Student and Articling Student
The summer program is great because you’re exposed to a number of different areas of the law while working with the same group of lawyers for the entire summer.
When I summered, I was assigned to four or five different lawyers in several different practice areas. Working with the same people gave me the opportunity to follow files along for a period of time as opposed to simply rotating through practice areas. I found that helped me narrow down the areas of the law that I really liked working in.
Our summer student program pairs each of our students with a number of principals in various practice areas. Our students work alongside their principals throughout the summer.
During my very first year as a summer student, one of my principals almost immediately became an important mentor. I recall feeling comfortable asking him questions that at the time, felt a bit silly – about wardrobe, email etiquette, how to talk to a client on the phone for the first time, etc.
Almost 15 years later, that person is still my mentor and friend.
Stéphanie Tétreault, TDS Partner
Former Chair of the Student Committee
The summer program is great because you’re exposed to a number of different areas of the law while working with the same group of lawyers for the entire summer.
When I summered, I was assigned to four or five different lawyers in several different practice areas. Working with the same people gave me the opportunity to follow files along for a period of time as opposed to simply rotating through practice areas. I found that helped me narrow down the areas of the law that I really liked working in.
Alyssa Mariani, TDS Partner
Former Summer Student and Articling Student
Application Information
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are asked to fill out the application form below.
Cover letters can be addressed to:
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP
1700 – 242 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V1
Attention: Meghan Ross
We thank all students who express interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.