Canadian Lawyer

w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 37 Confederation Bridge, which links P.E.I. to the rest of Canada. The U.S. border is only a few hours away. "That allows you access to all kinds of things. . . . It's the best of both worlds," says Stewart. The importance of lifestyle is not lost on firms vying to attract the best and the brightest. "One of the challenges we have tried to be more deliberate about, at least in our firm, is to be more sensitive to work/life balance," says Cooper. "The modern workplace must be more flex- ible and accommodating than was typical even 10 years ago, while still meeting cli- ent demands. We do not always get these things right, but we have sincerely engaged the problem." Economically, New Brunswick is struggling. Home to the first incorporat- ed city in Canada and one of the first uni- versities on the continent, the province was once prosperous in large part due to logging and shipbuilding activities. That was, in some cases, at least a century ago, however. Today, the province is grap- pling with an aging population, one of the fastest growing in the country, and massive debt. According to the govern- ment's 2017-18 budget, the debt will hit $14.4 billion by the end of the fiscal year, roughly $1 billion more than forecast only a year earlier. Despite this economic backdrop, build- ing a legal practice in New Brunswick will mirror in many ways building a legal practice anywhere in the country. "Busi- ness comes from traditional sources such as institutional clients, owner-operated busi- nesses and individuals," says Cooper. "We are also concentrating on developing mar- ket share outside Atlantic Canada, domesti- cally and internationally." Firms in New Brunswick, particularly the larger firms, also have a unique perspec- tive on business development — and on the nature of the work they do. McInnes Coo- per, Stewart McKelvey and Cox & Palmer have been called (and have been known to call themselves) "regional firms," a moniker that reflects the reality of doing business in Atlantic Canada. Unlike large Canadian firms that label themselves "national" yet have no presence east of Quebec, regional firms have a presence, often deeply rooted, across the East Coast. That connection may be gaining strength. "We're all Atlantic Canadians," says Stewart. "There is a move to a regional approach as opposed to 25 or 30 years ago when the provincial borders were much darker lines. This is a reflection of market realities and also a function of good busi- ness sense and efficiencies." It may be the affable nature of legal prac- tice in New Brunswick or the best-of-both- worlds lifestyle, but lawyers in the province are often here for the long term. "Lots of us are still lifers. Being with a firm becomes part of who you are," says Stewart. The University of New Brunswick law grad has some advice for lawyers looking to practise in Canada's pic- ture province: Consider both your pro- fessional life and your personal life. "They will be intertwined," Stewart cautions. "We all think we have it really good here," he adds. "The people I practise with are not here by default. Far from it. They have made a conscious decision this is where they want to be." New Brunswick Regional Report © 2017 Thomson Reuters Canada Limited 00248LP-A89758-CM AVAILABLE RISK-FREE FOR 30 DAYS Order online: store.thomsonreuters.ca Call Toll-Free: 1-800-387-5164 | In Toronto: 416-609-3800 Interpret and apply B.C. provincial statutes with confidence Order # L7798- 8095-65203 $87 Softcover approx. 150 pages December 2017 978-0-7798-8095-9 Shipping and handling are extra. Price(s) subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. New Publication The Annotated Guide to the British Columbia Interpretation Act Christopher Hunt, Lorne Neudorf and Micah Rankin Turn to The Annotated Guide to the British Columbia Interpretation Act for section- by-section commentary that will help you interpret and apply B.C. provincial statutes. You'll find relevant extracts and summaries of previously decided cases that discuss or apply the Interpretation Act. You'll gain immediate insight into how courts have previously approached these rules. Get expert answers to Interpretation Act questions • Understand the rules governing the enactment of B.C. statutes and regulations • Save time with immediate insight on the provisions of the Interpretation Act • Quickly compare the law in different jurisdictions using a convenient Table of Concordance

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