Canadian Lawyer 4Students

20 F a l l 2 0 1 4 C A N A D I A N L a w y e r 4 s t u d e n t s professional development sessions. But when students are self-starters and want to make signifi cant contributions to the design of their experience, smaller law fi rms off er plenty of opportunities. Christian Monnin, a partner at Win- nipeg litigation boutique Hill Sokalski Walsh Trippier LLP, says his fi rm off ers a lot of room for practical experience and the ability to do work you want. "We give you a lot of slack here to get out and get on your hindquarters as they say," Mon- nin says, adding he notices when students have "the desire to do it by themselves." Students, in fact, get opportunities for practical experience a lot sooner at small shops, says Monnin, who has also prac- tised in a big law fi rm. "At the larger fi rm we were much more structured," he says. "[At Hill Sokalski], there's oversight, but you're arguing your motions, you're ar- guing your applications, you're sitting in on trials, and you're doing examinations for discovery, I would venture to say, far sooner than in the larger fi rms." But while the opportunities are there, seeking them out is the student's re- sponsibility, he says. "If you don't ask for something, you're not going to get it." is is where students' initiative comes in, says Pamela Cyr, an assistant dean of career services at the University of Brit- ish Columbia Faculty of Law. "If they fi nd out about an interesting trial that's coming up, they can ask the lawyer if they can come along," she says. Cyr suggests students should not be shy about contributing an opinion on a case lawyers in the fi rm have worked on for a long period of time as they have a fresh insight into matters. "So I think it's also in the fi rm's best interest to value the student's opinion," she says. ere's no question it can be nerve- racking for students to appear before courts, tribunals, or other adjudicative bodies, says Monnin, who notes he is im- pressed with students who shake off their nerves and step up to the challenge. It's important that students see "how their work is being used practically," says Cyr, who notes about 40 per cent of UBC law graduates article in small law fi rms. Instead of simply dra ing a motion, she suggests articling students accompany lawyers to the courtroom, sit at the counsel table, get involved in discussions with clients about strate- gies, and observe how lawyers receive instructions. ey should also see the bills going to clients, she says. In that process, students also gain the kind of practical experience regulators are look- ing for. But according to Cyr, there are skills law societies don't list on their compe- tency checklist but students should still strive for. "A huge area now beyond do- ing legal work is so , emotional skills [such as] resilience, working well [un- der] pressure, working well with clients," says Cyr. " e lawyers that excel now are not the gold medalists or the people who were on top of their classes; it's people who have the so skills, the emotional intelligence," she says. "Resilience is a huge buzz going around — people being able to work hard and withstand stress." * The Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation, 8th Edition is the uncontested workhorse for helping you accurately cite legal materials – government documents, case law, legislation, periodicals, monographs and other secondary materials across all jurisdictions. The only comprehensive Canadian cite guide on the market, the "McGill Guide" is also considered authoritative in many other Commonwealth jurisdictions. New in this edition • Guidance for citing to online sources • Rule for "point in time" citations for legislation • Reorganization of Government Documents rules provides clarity, especially for Non-Parliamentary Documents • Greatly expanded section on online sources, including forms for blogs, Twitter, and online video (including a pinpoint form) Be cite wise – get your new edition of the "McGill Guide" New Edition Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation, 8th Edition McGill Law Journal Available risk-free for 30 days Order online: www.carswell.com Call Toll-Free: 1-800-387-5164 In Toronto: 416-609-3800 Order # 986075-65203 $66 Student Price Softcover spiral bound approx. 650 pages April 2014 978-0-7798-6075-3 Shipping and handling are extra. Price(s) subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. 00219RK-A43907

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