COMPILED BY DAVID GRUBER
THE
PROS
&
CONS
OF PRAC
TISING...
PE RS O N AL IN JU RY LAW
IN B. C. IN TE RI O R
IT LAW
IN H AL IFAX
Practising personal injury law
nAnCY YOunG, Pace Law Firm, toronto
+ PROS:
• Constant opportunity to advocate and
negotiate — in court, in arbitration,
with insurance defence lawyers,
with insurance adjustors, even with
own clients. There are endless
opportunities to "play lawyer."
• Getting to meet many different people from all walks of
life — clients range all ages and all career paths.
• Given that no two clients are the same, no two strategies
are the same on a �ile. Keeps things fresh and interesting
all the time. There is always something to learn.
• The satisfaction of seeing a �ile from beginning to end.
There is immense ful�illment of bringing a client's case
through the litigation process to resolution.
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fall 2013
CANADIAN
L a w y e r 4 students
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CONS:
• Many times, the clients have been in life-altering
incidents. As a result, they are often emotionally raw
and very emotionally driven. Knowing how to deal with
emotions is a big part of the job.
• The job feels limiting at times. All the lawyer can do is
obtain a fair settlement/decision for the client. The
lawyer cannot treat the client's physical condition the
way a medical professional can.
• The litigation process is not the most ef�icient process
in the world. Figuring out how to manoeuver around it
in order to get your client a fast and fair settlement
can be frustrating.
• In litigation, there are legal deadlines such as limitation
periods that must be followed. Failure to adhere to those
time limits may lead to a professional negligence claim
from the client against the lawyer.