Tag: articlingstudents

Categories
Mental Health and Work/Life Balance

A Long Night’s Journey Into Day

The sun rising over the ocean.

I used to be the type of lawyer who woke up early and headed into the office.  On my commute, my head would be full of ideas about my files, firm management, and marketing.  I would call and leave messages for my staff and associates or call clients and referral sources to say hello and stay ‘top of mind.’  My commute was part of my workday, and I tried to make it as productive as possible.  When the calls were about files, I would be sure to remember to docket the time when I got back to the office.  I would do the same on the way home and put my dockets in remotely when I arrived.  

read more about there being a better way to live “A Long Night’s Journey Into Day”
Categories
The Practice of Law

David and Goliath in the Legal Profession

Statue of Michelangelo's David

In my early years of practice, I received a phone call from a friend who practiced union side labour law.  He had a question about Civil Law and having recently graduated from McGill with a Civil Law degree in addition to my Common Law Degree, I was able to answer his question.  He appreciated my help.  Or so he said.

read more about why the best lawyers may not be available to represent small clients “David and Goliath in the Legal Profession”
Categories
People I Met Practicing Law

People I Met Practicing Law Episode Three: Zero Trust

A kite that looks like a shark.

Eleanor practiced family law.  She was pretty smart, and she knew all of the technical stuff cold.  What Eleanor was not that good at was the part about dealing with clients.  Especially vulnerable clients.  Such as people going through a separation or a divorce.

read more about lawyers who care more about protecting themselves than their clients “People I Met Practicing Law Episode Three: Zero Trust”
Categories
People I Met Practicing Law

People I Met Practicing Law Episode Two: Ethically Challenged

A fox by the side of the road.

Patricia was a good lawyer.  She knew her law.  She worked hard.  She produced billings. She brought in clients.

We all have character flaws.  Even me.  However, Patricia had more than most of us. She was uber competitive.  She liked to win.  She hated to lose.  Patricia and others saw these attributes as positives. If she had been able to keep them under control, they might indeed have been assets.  She was not, so they were not.  

read more about ethically challenged lawyers “People I Met Practicing Law Episode Two: Ethically Challenged”
Categories
Law Students and Young Lawyers

An Article About Articling Students

Young girls in traditional Peruvian costumes.

I write this from the perspective of retirement after having practiced law for four decades and having had what I believe was a successful career.

I articled in 1979 for the now defunct firm of Goodman & Carr which at the time was an excellent mid-sized Toronto law firm.

I was not a great articling student.  What a ‘not great articling student’ does not need are some exceptional articling students to work alongside so that the comparisons are easy for everyone to make.

read more about succeeding at articles “An Article About Articling Students”