Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/260260
32 s p r i n g 2 0 1 4 C A N A D I A N L a w y e r 4 s t u d e n t s Practising in Saint John, N.B. Practising family law CHRIs MARR, stewart McKelvey sCOtt BRIttAIn, City solicitor's Office CHRIstIne MuRRAY, Cassels Murray, Victoria, B.C. PROS: + • Saint John has a very collegial bar with an active local law society (established in 1878) that encourages the involvement of law students and all members of the bar, regardless of how junior or senior, through regular continuing legal education sessions and social events. • Saint John is the home of offi ces for each of the three leading regional law fi rms (Stewart McKelvey, Cox & Palmer, and McInnes Cooper), as well as several established, dynamic, and growing local fi rms, which off ers an excellent mix to prospective summer and articling students in terms of both size and variety of work. • Saint John is the centre of industry and commerce in New Brunswick, which means there is an excellent range and quality of legal work available across many practice areas. • Saint John has a burgeoning "foodie" scene, with many great restaurants and bars situated in the uptown area in historic buildings dating back to the Victorian period and many great housing opportunities at an aff ordable price. CONS: – • As is the case with most cities the size of Saint John, air travel can be a challenge and more expensive than out of large urban hubs. But, service continues to improve with greater competition and it is now possible to inexpensively travel directly to many resort destinations between December and April. PROS: + • e bar in Saint John is very collegial and co-operative. Like the lawyers here, busi- nesses in Saint John tend to be co-operative when work- ing out the wrinkles in trans- actions, which reduces a lot of unnecessary stress. • Saint John is home to a number of world-class businesses where you can be exposed to some of the most sophisticated transactions in the country. Saint John serves as the corporate hub to facilitate regional, national, and international transactions, as well as other business ventures. • e work in Saint John exposes you to several areas of law and provides a multidisciplinary perspective to the client's issue. is produces well-rounded lawyers who are ready to assist a client with many matters and a view to the big picture. • Saint John is home to some of the friendliest people in the country. It is Canada's fi rst city and has history, charm, and character in spades, with its own unique culture and way of living. It's no wonder we receive more than 10 times our own population in visitors every year! • Saint John provides a great quality of life. Hous- ing is very aff ordable, and the city balances ur- ban conveniences with an abundance of nature and beauty. Many offi ces overlook the breath- taking Bay of Fundy, one of Canada's natural wonders, and within a 15-minute walk or drive, you can be on a river or lake, in the woods, or standing where land ends and ocean begins. CONS: – • e Maritimes are hospitable, but experience a lot of inhospitable weather. Bring your raincoat, windbreaker, and winter jacket and you'll be fi ne. If you think you've seen fog, wait for a fog- gy day in Saint John! • ere are only a few fi rms that attract high- level transactional work and most corporate lawyers tend to have more generalized practices with areas of specialized focus developing over a longer period of time. PROS: + • You can help your clients achieve positive results and changes during incredibly diffi cult and pivotal times in their life. • ere are many diff erent dispute resolution methods (mediation/arbitration/negotiation/ litigation) and practical solutions you can use to help your clients. • You practise in an area of law that is rarely boring (it can feel like reading Peop le magazine). • You get to meet and work with interesting and positive people the majority of the time — clients, fi nancial professionals, divorce coaches, and other professionals and experts. • You can have the opportunity to build your own practice and start your own boutique fi rm. • Even as a junior lawyer you can get signifi cant court exposure.