Legal Careers
Being happier where you are, or getting to a better place
Lawyering is stressful. Lawyers expect to handle the pressures of solving individuals’ high-stakes, emotionally charged problems. What lawyers don’t necessarily anticipate is that they may suffer stress from being stuck in a work situation that is not their first choice. Competition for jobs may mean that a lawyer needs to accept work outside his or… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Legal Careers, Wellness, WellnessFind your blue sky
Some lawyers seem to thrive, having found their ideal practice, while others still search for their blue sky. Discovering your values is a journey. As children we are brought up with the values our parents instilled in us. In early adulthood we may have experiences that challenge those family values. Attending university and unfettered from… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Legal Careers, Wellness, WellnessTaking parental leave? You have options
[This article was updated in August 2021] Planning for parental leave might seem overwhelming when you are thinking about leaving your practice for an extended period, particularly if you’ve never taken leave before. You may have questions about the process of taking time off and how this will impact your professional liability insurance. Do I… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policy, Legal CareersBook reviews: Two books for better health
The practicePRO Lending Library has two great books on wellness issues that you can borrow. If you are looking for help in finding more balance in your life, The Lawyer’s Guide to Balancing Life and Work, by George W. Kaufman, is just for you. Kaufman, who was a successful and seasoned partner for 40 years… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Legal Careers, Wellness, WellnessStudent to lawyer: 20 Tips for a smooth transition from student to lawyer
There isn’t a magic formula for mapping out a career in law. You will make some decisions on where you would like to go, but there are many things outside your control which will impact where you end up. Factors such as economic conditions, personal circumstances, and even a bit of luck will affect the… Read More »
Categories: 2015 Student Issue 3, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, StudentIs this the job you want? How to find the right fit – and then sell yourself in the interview (2015)
On the face of it, interviewing should not be all that difficult – particularly for lawyers. As members of a profession who primarily make their living either writing or speaking, the idea that having a conversation about your interests and abilities in your own profession sounds both logical and easy. But throw the words “job… Read More »
Categories: 2015 Student Issue 3, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyer Issue, StudentPaths to success: As varied as the lawyers who follow them
“Diversity” describes the characteristics of a group. When we examine how diversity influences the profession as a whole, it’s easy to lose sight of the experience of being an individual lawyer, with specific identity characteristics, practising law in Ontario. While cultural sensitivity benefits all lawyers, what is it like to practice law when, at least… Read More »
Categories: 2014 September Diversity, Articles, Diversity, Features, Legal CareersJob market scoop: What do law firms look for?
Law students – like all students – are prone to anxiety about their career prospects. High-profile news about the employment challenges faced by new grads in the U.S. and changes in the articling requirements for Ontario have combined to create a climate of worry. But worrying about trends and generalizations can obscure the fact that… Read More »
Categories: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersWhat I wish I knew in law school (2014)
The first instalment of “What I wish I knew in law school”, an article by LAWPRO’s articling students and newest hires, was one of the most popular features in the inaugural student issue of LAWPRO Magazine. We decided a sequel was in order, so we asked our former articling students, Maurizio Artale and Andria Cramer,… Read More »
Categories: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersResolve to get your practice off to the best possible start
Professional liability claims can take the wind out of the sails of anyone’s legal career, but can be especially demoralizing for a new lawyer. Your best chance at avoiding claims is to develop great working habits right from the start. Here are some practice ‘resolutions’ that you may want to consider. Want more? Read the… Read More »
Categories: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Family, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyers, Real Estate, Wellness, Wills & Estates