Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50901
Help is at hand Luckily, there are a lot of people out there who have been doing this a lot longer than you have, and they're willing to help. Sharon Davis of Hull & Hull LLP 3 is the president of the Women's Law Association of Ontario. She says it's never too early to fi nd a mentor. "Mentoring is the cornerstone of a successful career in law," she says. "Once you've established meaningful mentoring relationships, you will fi nd them an invaluable resource and confi dence booster." Joy Casey, a Toronto lawyer who co- founded A Call to Action Canada, says you may have to look beyond your own fi rm to search out mentors, but it will be worth it in the long run. "Watch and learn from what others in the profession do and how they do it, not just from what they say," she says. And don't forget to return the favour, says Davis. "No matter how junior you think you are, there is always someone out there who is where you were a few years ago. As a mentor, you will learn a lot from a mentee no matter what stage you are at in your career," she says. 6 It's who you know Networking, networking, networking. "Developing close relationships with people both internally within the fi rm and also externally is very important to building a network," says Robert Granatstein, managing partner at Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP in Toronto. That can mean active participation in legal associations such as the Canadian Bar Association or in other community groups such as business associations. Wherever you make your contacts, presentation skills are critical, according to Granatstein. "It is important to learn to speak well and to learn how to engage others in conversation in order to build a professional network." Steve Raby, a partner at Macleod Dixon LLP in Calgary, says friendly and respectful treatment of lawyers on the other side of a fi le, even an ugly one, often pays off . "It has never ceased to amaze me how much business comes through, or with the encouragement of, my 'competitors,'" says Raby. But there are pitfalls to avoid, according to Jason Leung, president of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers and director of knowledge management at Ridout & Maybee LLP in Toronto. "When you network, remember that the fi rst rule is to give. Try to help people, especially your fellow lawyers, in any way you can," he says. "Have faith that it will come back to you. If you go out with the sole purpose of searching for business, it won't work." 5 You need to get a life The life of a lawyer should not begin and end in the offi ce. According to Ridgway, you need to have strict boundaries around your personal life and free time, even if it means laying down the law to clients. "If you have a client who regularly calls during your off time without your permission, put a stop to it. Send them an account the next morning," he says. Casey says it's important to develop and maintain interests outside of work, adding that they may actually benefi t your practice in the long run. "Life experiences, relationships, and interests all contribute to making you a better lawyer," she says. Just as long as they don't include golf, says Meehan. "Golf is a complete waste of time. It's a sado-masochistic fetish two Celtic drunks invented after a night out. The time and eff ort to you is simply not worth the return." C ANADIAN Lawyer 4STUDENTS SPRING 2011 25 Clients are people too Eugene Meehan, a partner at McMillan LLP and chairman of the fi rm's Supreme Court practice group in Ottawa, say it's important to remember that, apart from being an important source of your income, clients are just like the rest of us. "They have a 'me fi rst' attitude" and "they like lawyers who stop talking and listen to them." What's more, "most clients are comfortable letting you learn about them" and their business. Meehan changes his voice mail daily and promises to get back to clients within four business hours. If it's not possible, he has his legal assistant return calls to explain why not. "It signals to people that they're important to you," says Meehan. Glen Ridgway, former president of the Law Society of British Columbia, practises in Duncan, B.C. He says it's important to develop a relationship with your client as soon as possible. "Get to know their expectations and let them know what the realistic potentials are both with respect to the service you are providing and the costs involved," he says. "Do not be afraid to lose an unrealistic, improperly motivated client." 4 (not what you know)