For Women in Law By Women in Law

The format of our Blog is unique. It was created as a place to ask questions and to read real-life stories to learn and grow from. Our advisors have a wonderful mix of experience and are eager to share their insights on the issues women in the profession face and the topics many do not feel comfortable broaching. Step into our Blog and learn how to enhance your career and personal – and professional – lives.

You can submit your question using the Blog Submission form below.

Please note that your question will not be posted or answered directly. Each question or concern will be considered and addressed topically in a Blog post format.

Interested in becoming a Guest Blogger? Click here for more information.

So go on, ask us a question

2022 National Wellness Study – Part IV: The Dark Side of the Billable Hour

This is the fourth post in our series on The National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada published by the Université de Sherbrooke, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and the Canadian Bar Association in December 2022 (the “Report”). In this post we will dive into the “dark side of billable hours” as explored in the Report. As you know, the billable hour model is the traditional performance indicator used within legal practice. It sets a target of 1,500 billable hours per year on average in Canadian private practice. However, the Report concludes that despite its effectiveness in measuring economic success, this model poses significant risks and social consequences for the well-being of legal professionals. As it turns out, billable hours don’t tell the whole story. According to the findings, billable hours only capture around 67.9%…

...read more

Dear LiL: I think I’m done with being a lawyer. I am torn between quitting my profession and exploring other avenues. How can I reconcile my desire for change while still utilizing my legal skills and expertise in a fulfilling way?

Dear Contemplating Change: You have bravely expressed a stuck feeling that is common among lawyers. And you have wisely expressed a truth: you have options. As a lawyer, you have likely invested a lot of energy and time into developing your expertise. And you are curious about professional change. You want to repurpose the valuable tools, materials, and structures you currently have and build something new that fulfills you. I believe that each choice you make in your professional life helps you in making the next one, regardless of how related the choices may seem. There are often threads of connection between the interests, skills, and talents that a person has developed over the years. These threads can teach you what work lights you up (and what work does not) and which avenues to explore as you move forward in…

...read more

Golfing – FORE-tunately Not the Only Way to Build Your Book of Business

Many people talk about getting deals done on the golf course. Instead of negotiating over a boardroom table, transactions get done down the fairway (or off the tee block or on the green). I fell victim to the belief that I had to learn to play golf to in order to build a book of business as a lawyer. It has been a frustrating struggle. Thankfully I found a pro who helped with my back swing and I have gotten to the point where I can contribute some shots in a game of best ball (as I refuse to play an actual game of golf!). I am in my thirteenth year of practice and I still take refresher lessons every season! Business development encompasses various strategies and activities aimed at creating growth opportunities and expanding your referral network. While golf…

...read more

2022 National Wellness Study – Part III: Delay in Starting Families

This is the third post in the series on The National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada published by the Université de Sherbrooke, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and the Canadian Bar Association in December 2022 (the “Report”). The profession of law can delay lawyers from starting families due to a variety of factors related to the demands and time-consuming culture of the legal profession. While none of this will come as a surprise, especially to women in the profession, bringing these issues to light is a step in the right direction. It’s important to shed light on these topics and start openly discussing ways to address these challenges. The Report does exactly that. It dives deep into the issues that affect work-life balance and the struggles lawyers face when it comes to meeting…

...read more

Where Vulnerability Meets Good Leadership

Dear lawyer, guess what? You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t always need to be right! I recently read an article in the Harvard Business Review that I believe every leader should read: How to Build Confidence About Showing Vulnerability tells each of us in leadership roles that to build a healthy team you need to find a way to check your ego at the door. We each need to explore our vulnerabilities, be honest about our failures and recognize our need for collaboration to build a successful business. As author Dan Cable, professor of organizational behavior at London Business School, notes “the best leaders inspire trust by sharing their mistakes.” Mentoring in any real way demands this of us, BUT how do we do this? How can we bring a sense of humility to our leadership roles…

...read more

Unsubscribe

If you wish to withdraw your consent and unsubscribe from all e-communications please enter your email address below and then click the “Withdraw Consent” button. By doing so, you will be opting out completely and we will be unable to send you e-communications.