Canadian Lawyer

24 J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m hen Stephanie LeClair returns to the prac- tice of law, she's not worried about her abil- ity to keep the high-stress demands of her career in check. After all, what could compare to having to memorize details about 15 kinds of plants, including scent and texture, all while blind- folded and racing the clock? That was the last challenge 27-year-old LeClair and her partner, Kristen McKenzie, had to face together as par- ticipants of The Amazing Race Canada Season 4, in the Scents and Sensitivity Garden at the Kingsbrae Horticultural Garden in Saint Andrews, N.B. "You had to run the race clue by clue, literally," LeClair says. "You never knew where you were going, what you were doing, what challenges were next until you could read your next clue." LeClair and McKenzie were big fans of the show and it was a common interest when they started dating. Friends and family encouraged them to apply, and the duo considered it two years ago, but the timing wasn't right. They were nervous about competing at first because as "com- petitive, type-A personalities, we didn't want to be on national television throwing down over things. "We've spent a lot of time together, but we've never really played anything or done anything as a team," LeClair explains. But after some reflection over dinner out, the couple — who have been together for four years — decided to apply and see what happened. They filled in the application online as soon as they got home that night. You never think you're the one who will get picked, LeClair notes, but they were selected and then came their first challenge. Contestants weren't allowed to tell anyone what they were doing, but they had to convince their employers to give them six weeks off of work — not an easy task. LeClair was articling for Lawson Lundell LLP when she found out she was picked to compete in the show. "It was a very difficult thing when Kristen and I were trying to get our employers to be onboard," LeClair says. They were fortunate enough to get the leave with limited infor- mation and be able to come back to work afterwards. "Lawson Lundell was great, and super supportive afterwards, which was awesome." C R O S S E X A M I N E D An amazing performance W One-half of first female-only team to win The Amazing Race Canada urges lawyers to get outside comfort zone By Mallory Hendry Stephanie LeClair, left, celebrates coming in first with her partner Kristen McKenzie. PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEPHANIE LECLAIR

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