Canadian Lawyer 4Students

The E Support and resources aplenty editor's desk law degree. So it might be that you're questioning your career path and looking into the crystal ball of your future wondering if it might be your own shingle you'll be hanging up once you've jumped through all the hoops required to be allowed to practise. Lawyers fresh from the call to the bar are not the only ones these days thinking of ven if you're just starting law school and picking up Canadian Lawyer 4Stu- dents for the very fi rst time, you've likely already heard about how hard it is to get articling positions and fi nd associate jobs once you've completed your striking out on their own. Life in Big Law is not for everyone and I have friends who, even aſt er a decade or more in practice, are now considering opening their own shop. Younger lawyers with the entrepreneurial spirit may not want to work for others. And, of course, others are just looking for options because it can be tough out there if you don't get hired back aſt er articles. Well, if you fi nd yourself in any of these places in your career, 4Students is at your ser- CONNECT WITH 4STUDENTS 4STUDENTS CONNECT WITH Online every week at canadianlawyer canadianlawyermag.com/4students Online every week at mag.com/4students vice. We talked to a number of lawyers across the country who have recently launched their own practices and there are tips galore for doing so yourself. While the idea of it may seem daunting, if you're methodical and organized, it'll work out. Th e two out- standing bits of advice I gleaned from the lawyers quoted in the article — and what I think will be the keys to a successful career launch — are: take advantage of resources from law societies and bar associations and don't be afraid to reach out to fellow lawyers — you'll be surprised at how willing they are to help. On a more sombre note, this edition tackles the issue of mental-health problems and how they're dealt with in the legal profession. Even starting in law school, the profes- sion' to our article "Breaking down the barriers." Law schools and the profession as a whole are becoming more aware of and open to helping suff erers, even though there does con- tinue to be a stigma for anyone perceived as not fully together. Despite that, and much like the key aspects I mentioned from the article on starting your own fi rm, there are lots of resources out there to help law students and lawyers in trouble and it' s history of acceptance and support for mental illness has not been stellar according know that asking for help is not going to be the kiss of death for your career. Th e overall message, then, seems to be if you need help, reach out and get it, as there is a lot of support out there at all levels of the legal profession. 4STUDENTS Group Publisher: Karen Lorimer Editorial Director: Gail J. Cohen gail.cohen@thomsonreuters.com Assistant Editor: Heather Gardiner heather.gardiner@thomsonreuters.com Staff Writer: Michael McKiernan michael.mckiernan@thomsonreuters.com Copy Editor: Katia Caporiccio Art Director: Bill Hunter Account Co-ordinator: Catherine Giles Contributors: Myron Love, Jennifer Brown, Victoria Ptashnick Canadian Lawyer 4Students is published twice a year by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. 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. Advertising Sales Representatives Legal Suppliers: Kimberlee Pascoe Tel: (416) 649-8875 E-mail: kimberlee.pascoe@thomsonreuters.com Law Firms: Karen Lorimer Tel: (416) 649-9411 E-mail: karen.lorimer@thomsonreuters.com Sales Co-ordinator: Sandy Shutt Tel: (416) 649-8864 E-mail: sandra.shutt@thomsonreuters.com 4 F A L L 2012 C ANADIAN Lawy er 4STUDENTS gail.cohen@thomsonreuters.com — Gail J. Cohen Canadian Lawyer Magazine Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto ON. M1T 3V4 Tel: (416) 298-5141 Fax: (416) 649-7870 E-mail: clb.cleditor@thomsonreuters.com Web: www.canadianlawyermag.com/4students Registration #2261235 Publications Mail Agreement #40766500 ISSN 1921-9911 Copyright © 2012 H.S.T. Registration #R121349799 Canadian Lawyer 4Students disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. s important to Exclusive news and views from and for students at Canadian law schools. Exclusive news and views from and for students at Canadian law schools AB INITIO New online columnist and 2L Rebecca Lockwood explores the ups and downs of life as a law student. 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