Tag: lawstudents

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The Mentality and Attitudes of Lawyers

Look Over Here!

Streetlights at dark.
Photo by Vlad-Bagacian at Pexels.

There is an old story about a fellow who was searching for his lost keys under a streetlight. Various people came over to him, asked what he was looking for, and joined in the search. Eventually a lawyer came by and asked the same question but then followed up and asked him where he had lost his keys. The fellow pointed to a dark corner. When the lawyer asked why he was looking for his keys over here if he had lost them over there, the fellow explained that it was too dark to find anything where he lost them.

read more about Partners Distracting each other “Look Over Here!”
Categories
The Practice of Law

Adapt or Perish

Maori mask from the Museum of Natural History in Sydney Australia

Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative.” – H. G. Wells

I can mount a persuasive argument that I had a successful career practicing law.

Although it is unlikely that in a hundred years anyone will be writing about my contributions to the Law, some of my clients likely have fond memories about how I provided sound advice, got them out of a jam, or helped them achieve their goals.

read more about adapting to change or failing in the legal profession “Adapt or Perish”
Categories
Client Development

Know Your Snack Bracket

Cake and Pies on glass shelves.

One of my best clients was a very large privately owned corporation. I had a great relationship with Steve, the majority shareholder/CEO. Our firm was the ‘go-to’ corporate counsel for the company.

The first time that Steve’s company was looking to handle some acquisitions, the CEO asked me, “What is your snack bracket for this type of work?”  What he wanted to know was what size of deal we were comfortable handling. The answer at the time was deals of up to about $100,000,000. Beyond that a larger firm would better serve him.

read more about snack brackets “Know Your Snack Bracket”
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Client Development

Breaking Up Is (Not) Hard to Do

Man toppling boxes labeled "Break up, "Work,," "Deadline," "Anxiety," "Problems," and "Stress."
Photo by Shvets Production at Pexels.

Rob was one of my favourite clients. He had intellectually challenging work, treated my whole team respectfully, gave me reasonable deadlines, and promptly paid all of his bills without question.

Yet, there were lawyers in my firm who did not like working for Rob, who, being smart and creative, would frequently propose unusual business structures or litigation strategies and then insist that we convince him why they would not work.

Read More about working for the right clients “Breaking Up Is (Not) Hard to Do”
Categories
Mentoring

Hey, Young Folks – Are You Buying What the Law Firms Are Selling?

Teacher at the blackboard.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadic at Pexels.

It is an incontrovertible fact that young lawyers destined for private practice arrive at law firms without much clue as to how to practice law.

A lucky few are welcomed into a structured environment where good quality training, mentoring, and resources are provided to teach them their craft and to maintain quality control and client service while they learn.

read more about training and mentoring in law firms “Hey, Young Folks – Are You Buying What the Law Firms Are Selling?”
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Law Students and Young Lawyers

A Feminist Perspective on Carbon Taxes

Spreadsheet, pen and calculator.
Photo by Pixabay at Pexels.

With this post I venture onto dangerous ground, but what the hell.

Some years ago I came across a Canadian law school which was offering a course on “A Feminist Perspective on Corporate Tax.” More recently, I came across a law school course on “A Feminist Perspective on Carbon Taxes.” It all struck me as kind of stupid.

read more about law school courses “A Feminist Perspective on Carbon Taxes”
Categories
Firm Culture

Biased Much?

A group of people of different racial backgrounds walking together and dressed professionally.
Photo by August De Richelieu at Pexels.

I recently went for a ‘preventative health examination,’ which is code for ‘private healthcare,’ which is something that is in fact available in Canada – to those who are willing and able to pay for it.

I was given a stress test which involved having me walk on a treadmill while hooked-up to a computer. Being me, I quipped to the technician that I was counting on her to make sure that I did not have a heart attack during the test. She reassured me that if I did, I would be in good hands, because ‘back home’ she was a cardiologist.

It is not a very well-kept secret that in Canada we make it difficult for immigrants to qualify to practice their professions.

So let’s talk about lawyers.

read more about bias towards internationally trained lawyers “Biased Much?”
Categories
Firm Culture

Timebombs in the Garden

Atomic bomb mushroom cloud.
Photo by Pixabay at Pexels.

By now everyone on LinkedIn has heard about Jon, a Cleveland lawyer who wrote a rather nasty email to a recently departed colleague who, having returned from her maternity leave, gave notice that she was leaving for another firm. The backlash was furious. Jon lost his job rather quickly.

From the flood of comments on social media, the idea surfaced that it is likely that Jon’s behaviour was not an aberration, which got me thinking about some of the people who I ran across while practicing law.

read more about bad behaviour in law firms “Timebombs in the Garden”
Categories
Mentoring

Goldilocks and the Real Mentors of Beverly Hills

A woman standing next to a seated man and appearing to give him guidance in a business context.
Photo by RODNAE Productions at Pexels.

New lawyers need real mentors. Not the type of mentors who are assigned by the firm to be sure that you know what is expected of you in terms of docketed hours and evening and weekend work, but the type of mentors who care about your success and your progression in the profession.

Here are ten things that real mentors do:

read more about real mentors “Goldilocks and the Real Mentors of Beverly Hills”
Categories
Fluff

Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions

A sad looking clown making a gesture as if shooting himself in the head.
Photo by Jhefferson Sandos at Pexels.

Here are some of the questions potential clients asked me back when I was practicing law and the answers that I wanted to give them, but never did:

Q. How much will it cost to draft a shareholder’s agreement?

A. If you are shopping for professional services based on price, I really do not want you for a client. I suggest that you find a lawyer who will draft the agreement for you for $750.00 and pray that you never have a dispute with your partner.

read more stupid questions and snappy answers “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions”