Life skills and career tips for Canada's lawyers in training
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/368221
C A N A D I A N L a w y e r 4 s t u d e n t s F a l l 2 0 1 4 29 * MICHAeL G. ROBB, Partner, siskinds LLP, London, Ont. Practising in class actions PROS: + • Class actions provide opportunities to work on high profi le, high-stakes cases which o en present novel issues requiring creative lawyering. • It's a practice that rewards talent and initiative and off ers great opportunities for those who demonstrate those qualities. • Acting for plaintiff s in class actions gives lawyers the opportunity to aff ect positive change and provide access to justice to those who might not otherwise get it — you get to act for the "good guys," which is a rewarding experience. • e nature of the practice provides opportunities to network with lawyers across the country and around the world. • Size and scope of fi les requires collaborative practice, meaning young lawyers get to work on teams with more experienced counsel. CONS: – • Because the stakes are high for lawyers and clients, it is diffi cult for young lawyers to have opportunities to get on their feet in court or to conduct their own examinations. • ere are relatively few fi rms and lawyers practising in the fi eld, so getting started at a reputable fi rm can be a challenge. • Matters can be highly adversarial, which imposes an additional stressor on the lawyers. WILLIAM J. WILLIs, Partner, Mctague Law Firm LLP Practising in Windsor, Ont. PROS: + • Windsor is an exceptional community in which to live and practise. • Both the business and legal communities are convivial and welcoming. Everyone knows each other. ere are plenty of opportunities to give back and get involved. People truly care; they strive everyday to make Windsor a better place to live and work. It is easy to maintain a healthy work-life balance. • Windsor is "small" enough to have some of the benefi ts of a main-street type practice, yet the proximity of Detroit provides access to all the benefi ts of a major city. It is easy to bring a client to a sporting event, go shopping with family, or take advantage of the many other opportunities "south of the border." • e cost of housing in Windsor is among the least expensive in the country. • Although a "small" community, Windsor is home to some very large companies including Caesar's, Chrysler, and Hiram Walker. It is recognized for its manufacturing and engineering capabilities. ese both provide a wealth of opportunities to build a rewarding legal practice. CONS: – • As a manufacturing hub, Windsor has had its challenges. e recent recession had a signifi cant impact on many local businesses, both large and small. Some Windsor lawyers struggle to fi nd good positions. For example, there are relatively few in-house positions or non-traditional legal opportunities available. • The economic reality means there will be fewer high- profi le fi les to work on than a population hub the size of the GTA. Windsor fi rms do not have the size and recourses of some of the larger fi rms in larger centres.