Good morning. In honour of the Report on Business Magazine’s fresh list of Canada’s Best Law Firms, the team put together a survival guide of sorts for young lawyers. It struck me that many of those lessons – what to wear, who (not) to date, and what to do when you’re in over your head – might interest anyone reading this before setting out to the office. More on that below, but first:
In the news
The ports in British Columbia and Quebec have been ordered to reopen and binding arbitration has been imposed in an effort to end the costly labour disputes.
Shopify says after strong earnings it doesn’t expect headwinds from the U.S. election.
At COP29, Canada launched a finance platform for climate investments in developing markets.
Ottawa has announced an institute to study the risks posed by advanced AI models.
My Little Pony has been enshrined in the Toy Hall of Fame. Something called the Toy Hall of Fame has existed for 26 years without My Little Pony? I don’t understand what else they’ve had in there this whole time.
Happening today
- Markets will be focused on the U.S. consumer price index, which is released in about an hour. It might offer clues about the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate path.
- Earnings include Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Hudbay Minerals Inc., and Cisco Systems Inc.
Illustration by Jason Ford
In focus
Suiting up, stepping out and getting unstuck
Herewith, a compendium of advice from Canadian lawyers and culture critics on how to survive the early years of corporate law. (Hand-picked for every office worker at any stage in their career.)
Lawyer and cultural critic Hadiya Roderique’s advice includes:
- Set boundaries. Saying no is scary. But if you want to avoid burnout and have a life outside the law, you gotta do it.
- Take your vacation. Everyone takes them. Everyone needs them. Hot tip: Don’t waste them on holidays in December – it’s usually deadsville and ends up being a mini-vacation anyway (unless you get stuck on a deal that’s closing on Dec. 31 – in which case, sorry, there’s always next NYE).
- Don’t date people at the office. Just don’t. The breakup/divorce will be awkward for you and everyone around you.
Oh, dear. Here’s hoping not all love that begins at the office ends in heartbreak. Love
What to do when you’re stuck
Problem: You’ve been given an assignment by a senior lawyer and you’re in over your head, struggling to get it done and losing sleep.
Solution: David Fraser, a partner at McInnes Cooper in Halifax, suggests: Don’t suffer alone. Ask someone to weigh in, because the longer you wait, the more overwhelming the problem becomes. Generally, other lawyers want to help. So ask the experts in your firm or even at another, as long as you keep confidentiality and conflicts in mind. This also staves off imposter syndrome.
Embrace AI. Resistance is futile.
According to a 2023 report by the market research group Forrester, no industry will be affected by artificial intelligence as significantly as law – it predicts that 78 per cent of jobs in the legal sector could be reshaped by the technology. And Goldman Sachs predicts that AI could automate 44 per cent of legal tasks – including much of the work currently done by juniors: researching and drafting legal briefs, reviewing contracts, parsing documents and so on.
Fashion advice
Don’t worry too much about changing trends. Suiting does evolve, said Sydney Mamane, who has been tailoring suits at his Toronto menswear shop, Sydney’s, for nearly 20 years. “But the arc is very, very long.”
Don’t overdo it on the dry-cleaning. Mamane’s rule: “If it doesn’t smell, do not dry clean.” And no steamer: It causes shrinking and puckering at the seams, leading to a sloppy look.
Do be classic yet comfy: Atrisha Lewis, a civil litigator and partner at McCarthy Tétrault, says that while you can’t go wrong with a classic suit, there’s been an evolution toward comfort and individuality. “I think – or at least I hope – we’ve moved away from prescribed rules and more room for people to be who they are.”
Don’t overlook the likes of Aritzia. “I spent too much money on suits from brands like Theory,” said Lewis, who now favours a wrap dress with a blazer. “Aritzia has really stepped into the women’s wear space and provided a lot of options.”
Illustration by Jason Ford
Party manners
At the table: Let the senior person at the table be your guide: If they order an appetizer, go for it. If they order a salad, maybe don’t go for the filet mignon.
Put your napkin on your lap as soon as you sit down; if you go to the bathroom, leave it on your chair, not the table. (My long-time hang-up with that is: A bunch of butts have been sitting on that chair. Butt what do I know.)
Baller move: If you happen to be the one paying, hand over your credit card before you even sit down or on a trip to the bathroom to remove any post-meal awkwardness.
Drinking on the job
First, you don’t have to drink on the job. But our guideline maxes out at four, and under extreme circumstances. Yes, four.
And if you’re among a growing number of people who are forgoing booze: law firms are far more mindful of that choice than they once were. Most restaurants and event organizers offer non-alcoholic cocktails and beers, so you can feel like you’re joining in, with zero chance of mouthing off to a partner after a few too many.
Parting advice
“The easiest way to impress partners is with impeccable, practical work product, delivered on time. Show that you understood the assignment. Will your work be part of an e-mail to a client or a memorandum for the court? Go that extra mile to prepare a few point-first, clear, concise paragraphs for the partner to use. Always run your work through a spelling check, a grammar check, and if you have it, a clarity check. Avoidable errors make decent work look bad. Proofing makes decent work look great. Clarity makes great work excellent. Practicality makes excellent work magnificent.”
– Dominique Hussey CEO, Bennett Jones
“When I started as a student in 2001, I had a mentor who took a real interest in my career. My advice is to find a mentor to show you the ropes, champion your work and help you navigate the business of law. Seize opportunities, don’t be afraid to speak up, volunteer for assignments and try new things. Value the people you work with, learn from them, and create your path by staying true to yourself. As you grow, you will become a trusted adviser for your clients and your team.
– Jennifer Teskey Managing Partner Canada, Norton Rose Fulbright
Charted
Toronto traffic doesn’t just feel worse – it is worse
While people living in the Greater Toronto Area have long complained about gridlock, data compiled for The Globe and Mail show that the problem is truly getting worse, Mariya Postelnyak reports. Traffic has surpassed prepandemic levels and skyrocketed since the peak of COVID lockdowns, despite traffic volumes remaining relatively flat.
The outlook
On our radar and reading list
Cashing in: How Mormon “trad wives” are making bank on their messy, not-so-secret lives
Thinking long term: Today’s teenagers are eager to invest. Here’s why you should encourage them.
Tracing our ancestry: The struggling genetic testing company 23andMe is cutting 40 per cent of its work force and therapies in development almost a year after hackers accessed details of about 6.9 million of its users.
Morning update
Global markets drifted lower in cautious trading ahead of key U.S. inflation data that could inform the pace of Federal Reserve policy easing. Wall Street futures edged lower while TSX futures were flat.
Overseas, the pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.4 per cent in morning trading. Britain’s FTSE 100 dropped 0.13 per cent, Germany’s DAX gave back 0.14 per cent and France’s CAC 40 declined 0.25 per cent.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei closed 1.66 per cent lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.12 per cent.
The Canadian dollar traded at 71.65 U.S. cents