3 April, 2024
Law school is a transformative experience filled with opportunities for personal growth and professional development. It’s a time to challenge yourself, acquire new skills, and explore interesting areas of law. Beyond the classroom, law school fosters a sense of community that can produce lasting friendships. However, with the constant pressure to “beat the curve” and a stressful recruitment process with limited positions available, law school can also evoke a strong sense of competition among students. In law school, your success directly hinges on how well you stack up against your classmates. In articling and the legal profession at large, it’s the opposite: collaboration is the key to success.
One of the most challenging aspects of articling is not only the volume of work but also the need to constantly adapt and shift gears. Articling at a full-service firm involves working on a diverse array of tasks, which involve different legal topics in various courts and tribunals, each with its own set of rules. This can be overwhelming at times, especially since most lawyers within the firm have limited awareness of students’ work capacity. Recognizing when to delegate tasks and accept the support of your fellow students is crucial. Working together not only lightens the load but also creates a sense of solidarity.
The need to collaborate with those around you extends well beyond articling. As your legal career progresses, you recognize just how vital each employee, from the administrative staff to the most seasoned lawyers, is to a law firm’s success. One benefit of working at a full-service firm is the access you have to colleagues who specialize in other areas of law. If you have a legal question about something outside your area of expertise, there is likely someone at the firm who knows the answer and is happy to help.
Camaraderie at the bar
From day one, the importance of building and maintaining a good reputation is instilled in aspiring lawyers. The legal community is a close-knit network where interactions play a significant role in shaping one’s career trajectory. Cultivating positive relationships early on lays the foundation for a successful and fulfilling legal practice. The adversarial nature of litigation can often breed frustration and tension between opposing parties, particularly in the courtroom. Nevertheless, being a fierce advocate for your client does not require animosity and inflexibility. The first time I observed examinations for discovery, I remember being surprised by the amicability displayed among the lawyers involved. Despite just engaging in intense debate, at break, counsel would seamlessly transition to casual conversation. This camaraderie stems from a mutual understanding among lawyers that they share the same goal of obtaining a favourable outcome for their client.
Working effectively with opposing counsel not only helps to keep costs down for clients but also ensures the efficient utilization of resources within our court system, which, by its very design, promotes collaboration. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is gaining traction as a viable alternative to traditional litigation, with agencies and organizations continually developing new and innovative ADR mechanisms. ADR not only expedites the resolution process but also fosters a cooperative atmosphere that leads to better outcomes for all parties involved.
As the legal profession evolves, the ability to collaborate with others becomes an increasingly valuable skill for lawyers to possess. By promoting a culture of collaboration from the outset, law schools can better equip future lawyers to excel in a profession where teamwork is essential. This approach not only enhances learning opportunities but reflects the realities of legal practice, where lawyers collaborate with colleagues, clients, and others to achieve optimal outcomes and advance the principles of justice.
Molly Beauchamp completed her articles at Harrison Pensa LLP and has joined our Insurance Defence & Subrogation team as a Civil Litigation lawyer.
Image credit: ©adam121 – stock.adobe.com
