Whether stocks are trending up or down, take a deep breath, and realize that the long-term fact is: Canada will continue. Regardless of any temporary outlook you have, or of the temporary situation you live in, we can all agree that those less fortunate are always in need. 2014 was my first real chance to help in a charitable way. My small and growing company was able to direct financial support towards…
Did you know that certain national and international law firms allow their associate lawyers and partners to invest in clients? Many local and regional law firms do too. Being allowed to invest in your clients means being allowed to invest in businesses that you already know inside and out. From top people, to current and future liabilities, to a strong business plan and cash flow. Different law firms offer different opportunities, and it is important that y0ur law…
I recently had a one-on-one conversation with a senior managing partner of a national law firm. He and his paralegal teamed up 29 years ago! He is not the only one. I have three mentors in the legal field that started working with their paralegal more than 20 years ago. These lawyer/paralegal teams are built on cooperation, trust and mutual respect. No lawyer is perfect, and everyone knows that a…
How do you know if you fit in your firm? People often throw the buzzword “fit” around when making employment decisions. When considering your next job, having the right experience and a strong résumé always helps. With that in mind, you must consider the people at the firm. I was recently reminded of this when helping an extremely talented young lawyer relocate to Alberta. The earliest sense of your fit…
Some people get excited when they hear the “ding” or feel the “buzz” of a new email coming through on their work smart phone. Others bemoan working outside of regular business hours. However, always keep this in mind: What if the emails stop? These days, professionals need to stay connected. Most companies or law firms provide smart phones to their professional employees so they are never far from work. On…
It really does not matter what you do, as long as you enjoy doing it. An ex-colleague of mine at an old job I once had told me that he hated it when people said stuff like that. However, between you and I, he hated his job. We all hear passionate people say that you need to stop doing what you don’t like to do and start doing what you…
The moment you decide to take your career in a new direction, you will feel the excitement of the changes on the horizon, and maybe some worry because you know you will have to tell your boss. If your job is perfect, then there is no reason to leave. However, the average worker remains at their job for 4.4 years, meaning that people face the dreaded exit interview every day. Like…
Consider for a moment that we just told you about an upcoming interview at a firm or company you really want to work for. You’ve even been waiting to hear back from them. Like most people, you probably feel some nerves about the interview. Just thinking about it can make confident professionals anxious. However, now is not the time to be anxious. Now is the time to stop and take…
I have read more resumes then I can count, and they keep coming. After leaving full-time private practice as an associate lawyer, and then over time as a legal recruiter, the number of resumes I’ve now seen can make you gasp, or at least, take a deep breath. Then, just the other day, a friend of mine asked me to review her resume. As you would expect, she is a…
