Canadian Lawyer 4Students

TI TOPPS 1 2 3 4 5 10 SPRING 2 0 1 2 C ANADIAN Lawy er 4STUDENTS COMPILED BY HEATHER GARDINER Dreaming of becoming a law firm managing partner someday? Then you'll want to take note of what these law firm leaders across the country shared with Canadian Lawyer 4Students about what it takes. We asked them the following probing questions to help you on your way to law firm leadership. What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job? What is the most stressful aspect of your job and how do you handle it? What advice would you give to law students who want to become managing partner someday? What is the No. 1 quality you look for in articling students? Did you have a mentor as a young lawyer? If so, how did that person help you? Stephen Shamie Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP, Toronto 1) The most enjoyable aspect of my job is seeing the growth and development of junior lawyers in the fi rm. We have so many talented junior lawyers and they are the reason the fi rm continues to grow and succeed. 2) The most stressful aspect of my job is when I have to advise an articling student that he or she is not going to be off ered an associate position at the fi rm, after he or she has worked so hard all year. These are very diffi cult decisions and discussions and there is no easy way of handling them other than being honest and providing as much support as possible in helping them move forward. 3) One of the most important aspects of practising law is a lawyer's reputation. The advice I would give law students is to not only become the best lawyer you can be from a technical perspective but also to never compromise your reputation and integrity in dealing with other lawyers, clients, and judicial and administrative decision-makers. 4) Assuming that excellent legal skills are a given, the most important quality we look for in articling students is judgment. This can manifest itself in a number of ways. We look for people who we believe will be collegial, have excellent interpersonal skills with clients, and will be able to successfully interact with everyone at the fi rm. 5) I was fortunate to have a number of mentors when I was a junior lawyer. I learned so much from all of them and I continue to learn every day. My mentors, most importantly, gave me the confi dence to practise law knowing that support was always available if I needed it. That was a huge advantage and helped me grow as a lawyer. Jerri Cairns Parlee McLaws LLP, Edmonton 1) Setting strategic priorities for the fi rm. 2) Management of professional staff is the most stressful component and I manage it by trying to have frequent, direct, and open communications. 3) Become known for your eff orts to enhance your legal skills, your ability to develop clients, and for your interest in furthering the fi rm's interests. Also become known for your integrity. 4) A "fi t" with our fi rm culture. 5) I did not have any one mentor but did have several lawyers I worked with who helped me with my skills as an advocate and taught me about client management and building business relationships. * * FROM THE

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