Legal Careers
Why I chose a career before law school (2014)
While many students take the LSAT and if accepted, go to law school after completing a first degree, some choose a different path. Many law students take a few years off in between, for several reasons, including making sure this is the career they want. Last year’s LawPRO articling students, along with one of LawPRO’s… Read More »
Categories: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New Lawyer Issue, New LawyersStudent to lawyer: 20 tips for a smooth transition
This is an abridged version of the LAWPRO article: “20 tips for a successful transition” – a guide for law students through the transition from student life to legal practice. See practicepro.ca/20newlawyertips for the full article. Honestly assess your strengths and preferences to identify what makes sense for you in terms of the type of… Read More »
Categories: 2014 Student Issue 2, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersDiversify without dabbling: Before expanding your practice, expand your competence
Think you have the confidence to bluff your way through a file that’s outside your normal scope of practice? It might work if you were playing a lawyer on TV… but that’s only because your opponent (and the judge, if it’s a litigation file) would be actors, too. In the real world, trying to “fake… Read More »
Categories: 2012 August Checklists, Articles, Dabbling, Failure to Know The Law, Legal Careers, Practice TipsLeaving your current law firm
Lawyers who change firms, contact information, or practice status should notify both LawPRO and the Law society separately of these changes because LawPRO and the Law society maintain separate information databases. Joining a new firm Send an email to LAWPRO Customer Service ([email protected]) and include your new contact information and the effective date of the… Read More »
Categories: 2012 August Checklists, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policy, Legal CareersStudent to lawyer: 20 tips for a successful transition
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: 2012 Student Issue 1, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersIs this the job you want? How to find the right fit – and then sell yourself in the interview
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: 2012 Student Issue 1, Articles, Law students/new lawyers, Legal Careers, New LawyersRecruiting and retaining top talent
Attracting the best possible lateral associates is critical to a law firm’s ability to maintain its competitive edge, financial leverage, internal succession and future success when candidates approach our firm about a lateral move, they all tend to ask a variation of the following questions: which firm is the best for me? Which will make… Read More »
Categories: 2012 January Employment, Articles, Features, Firm Management, Legal CareersIs this the job you want? How to find the right fit – and then sell yourself in the interview
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: 2012 January Employment, Articles, Features, Legal CareersInsurance implications of lawyer transfers & practice structures
Lawyer mobility is now taken for granted: The days of spending one’s whole career in a single practice setting are long gone. Consider these scenarios: Scenario one: A lawyer previously in practice elsewhere joins a new firm. A claim is made based on work completed at the previous firm, but received only after the lawyer… Read More »
Categories: 2012 January Employment, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policy, Legal CareersBook review: Three titles on recruiting and keeping lawyers and partner departures
The practicePRO Lending Library has more than 100 practice management titles available to Ontario lawyers free of charge. Here are three titles that make for great additional reading for the topics covered in this issue of LAWPRO Magazine. Recruiting Lawyers: How to Hire the Best Talent Recruiting Lawyers: How to Hire the Best Talent by… Read More »
Categories: 2012 January Employment, Articles, Book Review, Firm Management, Legal Careers