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Canadian Lawyer asked lawyers from small and rural communties to share photos of themselves and their practices. These photos and the ones of the following pages give a taste of the life in law from across Canada. Paul Rapsey, CRO Research Lawyer Legal Aid Ontario Warkworth, Ont. EENER PASTURES There's a shortage of young lawyers in small and rural communities in Canada. Despite the lure of a lucrative and fulfilling career, retiring practitioners are having a tough time finding someone to take their place. By Robert Todd J oel Kennedy sat down with a road map after being called to the Ontario bar in 1974. Raised in the burgeoning city of Brampton, Ont., he wanted to pursue a more relaxed lifestyle and was look- ing for some direction. He focused his gaze on the low-key and lush northern part of the province, and after a few calls to friends found an opening in the scenic town of Parry Sound. He has been there ever since. "It's a good life," says Kennedy. "I can look out the window here and see my boat in the water and sneak away early if I want to." He also loves his job, and has pulled in a six-figure income most years. He plans to continue working and "count paperclips" at the office until he dies. But at 64, Kennedy would like to start winding down his practice, passing complex files along to an associate. That's where things get tricky. After a long search last year, he was able to attract an articling student, who has stayed on as a junior. But it didn't turn into the long-term fix he was looking for; the young lawyer's family commitments will take him to the big city next year. "So I'm now back to scratching my head and wondering what to do," says Kennedy. He desperately wants to avoid "turning the key and walking away," a sad step many of his colleagues have been forced into. Kennedy is just one among thousands of lawyers across Canada who have provided legal services to smaller commun- ities for decades, but are now in the twilight of their careers. Many would like to spend less time in the office and better enjoy the fruits of their hard work over the years. But those wishes have been foiled by the www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com NO VEMBER / DECEMBER 2010 31 Adam D. Rodgers Boudrot Rodgers Law Offi ces Port Hawkesbury, N.S. Emmanuel. B. Alade City Law Offi ces Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. AMEDEO DE PALMA