Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/552038
28 F A L L 2 0 1 5 C A N A D I A N L a w y e r 4 S T U D E N T S COMPILED BY ANASTASIYA JOGAL PROS PROS PROS PROS PROS PROS PROS PROS PROS CONS & T H E O F P R A C T I S I N G . . . EMILY LUKAWESKI, Cox & Palmer LLP MELISSA ROYLE, Benson Buffett PLC Inc. PROS: + • e city itself has a vibrant culture, sense of community, and incredible nearby hiking trails and scenery. • With less specialization than bigger centres, there is more opportunity to learn about diff erent areas of law while maintaining a general fi eld of focus. • You can earn more responsibility sooner than in a larger, big-city fi rm. • St. John's has experienced a real growth period, bringing with it lots of interesting legal work. • e positive side of a small bar is we have a generally inclusive and encouraging legal community. CONS: – • Many salaries have not kept up with the increasing cost of living, particularly considering the student debt most law graduates accumulate having to attend law school out-of-province. • Confl icts. You o en have to pass on fi les because of business or personal confl ict given our relatively small and very interconnected population. • e down side of a small bar is your reputation forms quickly, and a poor reputation spreads even faster. You must maintain civility and respect at all times even when it's diffi cult, including when you are not working. I N S T. J O H N'S, N F L D E - D I S CO V E RY I N W I N N I P E G I P L AW Practising in St. John's PROS: + • A lively arts and culture scene, accompanied by a thriving restaurant industry. • Smaller fi rm sizes that allow large amounts of independence and control over fi les early in your practice, complemented by easy access to senior lawyers willing to off er support and knowledge. • Opportunity to work on both local and international fi les, across a range of practice areas. • e small bar and friendly culture creates a collegial and civil legal culture. CONS: – • e weather can be on the windy and grey side. • Can be expensive to get off the island, but, overall, St. John's off ers a high quality of life, and is a culturally rich gem in Canada.