Canadian Lawyer

EXCLUSIVELY ON EDITOR'S DESK BY GAIL J. COHEN Timing is everything thing that most young female lawyers think about — and it is integral in many cases as to whether they will stay or exit the profession: when is the best time to have a baby? Sometimes these things just happen, but as with many steps along the way in one's T legal career, it can (and probably should) be planned. A recent panel of women partners on Bay Street, sponsored by Young Women in Law and the Ontario Bar Association, offered a very candid discussion of "Women on the road to partnership." While most of their advice and experiences would trans- late to any lawyer on the partnership path, the discussion about children and family seemed to really strike a chord. The panellists all seemed to agree the best time to take maternity leave was during your years as a senior associate. So if you're making plans, year five of practice seems to be the sweet spot. Here's why: As a young associate, you are doing work for senior associates and partners and don't have much control over what you are responsible for. This also means you can't really delegate. And it's at this time in your career when you are building relation- ships, finding your way in your legal career, and trying to make a name for yourself (i.e., impress senior members of the firm). It's long hours and pedal to the metal time. As a partner, responsibilities change and are more complicated. While you may not be able to delegate work when you are a junior associate, when you are partner you can but other responsibilities of partnership make it much more difficult to duck out of practice for any length of time. At the senior associate level, you've graduated to being able to download some of your work but are still not in the position of responsibility that you'll find yourself in as a partner. Thus, sweet spot! All the panellists said they'd had children both as associates and partners and found it difficult to take off more than a few months for parental leave once they were partners. There was one other piece of advice they shared, in the context of keeping your eye on the partner prize: when you are ramping down for your planned maternity leave, keep your foot on the gas. While you may not be getting new files, offer your services in other ways such as helping to write papers or do some quick and fast assignments. So if nothing else when planning your career, I think some great tidbits to rumi- nate over regarding one of life's bigger decisions. Group Publisher: Karen Lorimer Editorial Director: Gail J. Cohen gail.cohen@thomsonreuters.com Staff Writer: Michael McKiernan michael.mckiernan@thomsonreuters.com Copy Editor: Katia Caporiccio Art Director: Bill Hunter Account Co-ordinator: Catherine Giles catherine.giles@thomsonreuters.com Contributors: Jean Sorensen, donalee Moulton, Kathryn Leger, Geoff Ellwand, Jennifer Brown Canadian Lawyer is published 11 times a year by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd., One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto ON. M1T 3V4 (416) 298-5141. Fax : (416) 649-7870 All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted without written permission. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the publisher. Information presented is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. 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For all circulation inquiries and address changes send a copy of your mailing label or labels along with your request in writing to Canadian Lawyer , One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto, ON. M1T 3V4 here is much gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands about women leaving the law profession in droves. But there are still lots who continue in private practice and follow the path to partnership and other successes. There is one CANADIAN Lawye rmag.com Th e Accidental Mentor Lee Akazaki's column off ers useful mentorship advice for young lawyers. April 9 Human Rights . . . Here & Th ere University of Ottawa law school's Sonya Nigam's column on human rights and international law. April 9 Trials & Tribulations Margaret Waddell ruminates on issues of import and interest to litigators. April 9 Financial Adviser Financial planner Alan Acton helps lawyers better manage their hard-earned money. April 9 Defi nitely Mabey Stephen Mabey examines the thorny issues facing law fi rm management. April 16 Th e IT Girl Sarah Dale-Harris takes a wry look at the intersection of technology and the law. April 16 David Paul's Field Notes Tips for the solo and small fi rm from B.C.'s David Paul. April 16 Trial by Fire First-year associate Lindsay Scott shares the ups and downs of learning on the job. April 16 Class Acts Kirk Baert's new column takes a critical look at class action litigation in this country. April 23 Letter From Law Law Land Wit and wisdom from Vancouver's Tony Wilson. April 23 Managing Partner Forum In the fourth of this year's special series, Cassels Brock's Mark Young discusses the fi rm's expansion plans. April 23 Making Rain Executive coach Debra Forman's video column on career and business development. April 30 www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com A PRIL 2012 3

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