Canadian Lawyer 4Students

Separation and Divorce program, which is run by the Family Justice Services Branch of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice. He says it was "a fantastic program," and one that helped highlight the importance of family law for him. "I think there's a huge demand and requirement for people to take family law," he says, adding it's crucial "to change the focus from clients thinking of themselves to [their] children." Even though he's highly motivated, getting through law school while raising two boys, ages 7 and 9, is certainly not easy. "I definitely underestimated how much work would be involved in law school," says Clarke. To manage at home, he's developed a family routine, squeezing his readings in whenever he has time. "I was actually surprised that he has two kids on his own," says Romanow, who started working with Clarke in May. "Going through law school with two kids — I can't even imagine. It says a lot about him, his work ethic." It's not always smooth sailing. "There are some days where I don't even figure out how I get through them," says Clarke. "I mean, trying to keep house with two incredibly energetic boys, plus study and work. It's a big juggle. But at the end of the day I'm not doing this for me. I'm doing it to make sure my boys have a better life." If face and body piercing is uncommon in the world of law, it's no less strange to find out the man doing your piercing is a lawyer-in-training by day. Since entering law school, Clarke has surprised a fair number of his clients. "It's neat to see that," he says, describing their reactions to hearing he is a law student, "because I don't come across as anybody that's in law. I don't fit that stereotype." Stereotypes about the various forms of "body art" may be due for an update. It might be inconceivable to walk through a major downtown law firm and find an associate wearing a bolt through his nose or sporting a prominent face tattoo, but there is some evidence the culture is changing in more subtle ways. For one thing, the taboo against piercings seems to be at least in part generational. According to a study by the U.S.-based Pew Research Center, nearly one in four Millennials — people aged 18 to 29 — have had a piercing some place Miller Thomson besides their ear lobe, compared with less than 10 per cent of Generation Xers, and one per cent of those over 45. Does this mean the legal community will be changing its attitude? "I think slowly. I think as the younger generation starts to move into the law, they bring their own social ideas with them," says Clarke. "I think it will be more accepted and practised. But I think it's probably a few years out before it gets to that point." Romanow, who wears a nose ring, which she replaced with a more understated stud for her articling interviews, is not as optimistic. "I do think there is a pressure to conform," she says. "I think when I actually do start articling I will take my nose ring out. I think that sometimes appearance might get in the way." Meanwhile, Clarke has no immediate plans to give up on piercing. "I think I can see myself feeling the pressure to deal with how society views lawyers," he says. "I can see myself trying to understand that or work around that. In the near future, I don't know. "I enjoy it. To me it's relaxing. It's artistic. I don't have any intention of stopping." ■ YOU Start your career at Miller Thomson as a summer or articling student. With 11 offices across Canada, we are one of the country's most respected national business law firms offering a complete range of business law, advocacy and personal legal services in both English and French. Added experience. Added clarity. Added value. Learn more about us: millerthomson.com/students Follow us @millerthomson VANCOUVER CALGARY EDMONTON GUELPH MT_Lawyers4students ad_v1.indd 1 SASK ATOON TORONTO REGINA MARKHAM LONDON KITCHENER-WATERLOO MONTRÉAL C A N A D I A N Law yer 4 students 7/29/2013 2:43:28 PM Fall 2013 27

• Cover