Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50906
JORDAN BROWN, associate, Cox & Palmer + PROS: The small market allows, and in some ways dictates, young lawyers to build their own practice. Practis- ing law then becomes a lifestyle, complete with social events and community involvement. The market size also forces young lawyers to carry a general practice. For those who consider variety to be the spice of life, this is an interesting and rewarding way to practise. It allows you to figure out what areas of law you enjoy. Our small, collegial bar is ideal for one's growth as a pri- vate sector lawyer. Dealing with the same people every day results in greater collegiality and enables associates to learn from senior practitioners. The pace of life is more relaxed than in major centres. This means greater flexibility in the manner in which you structure your practice and allows for more personal time. Perhaps the greatest advantage is more interaction with clients than you would have in a larger centre. This can make your practice very rewarding. - CONS: In a small market, young lawyers need to be outgoing and comfortable enough in social settings to attract their own clientele. For introverts, this can be a struggle. Being a generalist requires a great deal of additional support to ensure competency; you could become a jack of all trades and master of none. Also, the so-called "big work" is not as prevalent, and there are limited opportu- nities to focus on areas that are of the most interest. Salaries are lower. However, this is not as bad as it may seem because so too is the cost of living, and generally you work fewer hours. As a result of the extra social and entrepreneurial aspects of a small-centre practice, one is bound to put in a greater number of non-billable hours than in larger centres. P.E.I. winters can be long and arduous if you don't make an effort to enjoy what the island's winters have to offer. REACH & REWARD Meaningful work is in your grasp at Bereskin & Parr. One of Canada's foremost IP law firms, it's also a place that values its people – and your input. And that makes Bereskin & Parr a great place to grow. We invite you to join us. www.bereskinparr.com 1.888.364.7311 Untitled-2 1 4STUDENTS SPRING 2009 27 2/25/09 8:34:22 AM