BE SMART AND TOUGH and think for yourself.” So wrote one associate lawyer who completed the Lexpert Student and Associate Recruitment Guide Survey when prompted for “advice for law students aspiring to article at the firm.” This one-line, triple recommendation effectively summarizes the advice from the majority of respondents in our survey.
The surveys were conducted across Canada anonymously by associates (and some junior partners). The firms are named, however, and so we publish online the results from firms only where there are sufficient numbers to maintain the associates' anonymity. For more survey results see www.lexpert.ca/student, and for a quick look at all the survey questions see sidebar to the left.
BE SMART
Many respondents emphasized the importance of good grades, telling law students to “focus on your academics, as grades are relevant to the hiring process everywhere, not just here.” This everywhere aspect was newly repeated this year. “Get the highest marks you can if you want to get a job.” Very early into reading the survey results, it becomes clear that students are facing challenges in the articling employment market. Some students, who might earlier have considered articling exclusively at a large, national firm, now have to think beyond that. Meanwhile, mid-sized and boutique firms are taking fewer students and can expect to hire students with higher grades than they might previously have done. “Students need to broaden their horizons in the current market.”
Respondents also raised another “be smart” factor: students should commit to a specialty practice area before going to a specialty firm. “This is a great place if you want to practise Aboriginal law,” and so it went for other areas like intellectual property law, litigation, tax law. “If you have an interest in a business-related practice, do your best to stay current on happenings in the Canadian market.” Clearly, the message is, if you don't, your competitors will. And because it is relatively tough out there, students need to…
BE TOUGH
“Buckle up! It'll be a bumpy ride,” wrote one person. “If you are hungry to get clients, you will succeed at this firm.” Associates who have buckled up and are hungry are staying in their chairs. There were noticeably fewer calls this year, compared to surveys we have done in previous years, for firms to provide work-life balance. When they did come, there was acceptance or resignation on the point, without any sign of actual resignation. “While I recognize that billable-hour pressures at other firms are more significant, the workaholic culture of the law firm and the need for law firms to constantly grow and increase the profit margin sets an unreasonable work-life balance for lawyers.” What is to be done? This seems to be a class of associates who are collectively saying, “You will receive excellent training but you will need to work hard and put in long hours.”
It sounds as though the economy has driven associates to accept more and expect less from their firms than they did a few years ago. “Ideal candidates for our firm would be people who have a willingness to work hard and who are looking to take on a high level of responsibility for files and client contacts.” And warned another survey-taker: “This is not a place for people who want to cruise after getting called: a great deal of importance is placed on being on the cutting edge of tax knowledge and on technical proficiency, which requires a significant personal investment.”
Even where respondents were completely miserable, they didn't leave the impression they thought they could leave. One said “DON'T” to students aspiring to article at the firm. Another wrote, “Go elsewhere.”
Toughness came out most clearly in all the talk about billable hours and targets. When asked for “comments regarding the firm's billable-hour system” there was a range in tone certainly in the answers. One firm appeared to have no penalty for not meeting target; however, it had introduced a bonus system for meeting it.
Sample comments about firms' billable-hour systems included:
“You rise and fall by the billable target. Nothing else matters. The pressure is intensified because everyone's billable hours are posted for everyone else to see.”
“Non-billable work is encouraged, as is marketing. This firm is generous when it comes to marketing support for a young associate. Building a sustainable practice is encouraged.”
Associates everywhere across Canada are feeling the heat:
“Strong focus on billable time, but also consideration for non-billable time.” And similarly, “strong pressure to meet billable-hour targets. Too much emphasis on billable hours.”
“With not much work at the office right now; the policy may be strict as regards billable-hour targets, but its implementation is currently not.”
Associates have to be aware of accounts receivable, too. “The moving target is the collected target. As time progresses, it is expected that the funds collected increase, time written off decreases, and AR is kept at a certain level. If targets are met or exceeded, you receive a raise and a possible bonus. If targets are not met, a raise may not be given.”
On the other hand, there seems to be a level of reasonableness out there if you are lucky enough to find it: “While we are given a target and expected to meet it, the firm has a culture of respect — including respect for your time. You will not spend time doing busywork and are not expected to burn the midnight oil in the same way as at some other firms.”
BE YOURSELF
When they say be yourself, they mean your best self. “Be honest about the kind of work you want to do and the kind of environment you hope to work in. All candidates that apply are strong, so we really are looking for ‘fit.' We are a friendly and collegial group, far more casual than other firms, and as diverse as we are, we share a passion for our work and value our friendships with each other.”
Client interaction was evidently a main impetus behind this third line of survey responses. “Client exposure occurs early on, which enables students to develop excellent communication skills and a practical approach to practising law. If you strive to be a top business lawyer in Canada, this is the place for you.”
Being yourself also means getting to know your colleagues, both lawyers and non-lawyers. “It is extremely important to build relationships with lawyers and staff at all levels of seniority.”
“Be yourself, be confident but not arrogant, and be affable. While you will not succeed if your work product is poor, no matter how outstanding your work is, you will absolutely not succeed if you are not at ease socially and presentable to a client. Simple formula: spend time getting to know the partners and associates on a social level, and you will find your champions.” And another key piece of advice: “be humble.”
Students are well-advised to tap into their entrepreneurial selves. “Identify opportunities for work and identify early on practice areas you want to be involved in, and make them known to partners and senior associates. Make sure to indicate to other lawyers if you are interested in taking on more work and responsibilities.” Another respondent wrote of their firm, “Best for self-starters.” “Show initiatives, seek out opportunities if you are interested in particular areas, but do keep an open mind. Do something different from practising law or working in an office while you still can.”
Along the same “get out while you still can” route, one articling alumnus advised, “Great place to get experience in a broad range of practice areas and to allow you the opportunity to find a practice area that's right for you, but you should consider whether you wish to have a career in a large firm. Larger firms often result in more politics, less individual appreciation and attention, higher targets and fewer benefits. Get in touch with new associates or current articling students (preferably those who haven't just started articles). Ask questions about lifestyle, pros and cons about the firm, anything you're curious about. They should hopefully give you some good insight so that you'll go into the interview/articling process with your eyes open.”
After that, respondents say that aspiring partners need to learn about how to function in a law firm:
“There are very few formal processes in place, and therefore you have to form your own processes to some extent. Others here will help you understand how things work and how to succeed. So, find your own mentor(s) and ask that person everything, and remember, some of the best mentors are those who are not signed up as formal mentors. Take control of and responsibility for your own work and be proactive. Communicate often and openly with the lawyers you are looking for. The quality of work here is excellent and you will be given excellent opportunities if you take control of your career from the very start.”
After all that tough talk, we close with the observation that some associates did note chances for personal satisfaction at law firms. “There is a very strong chance that you will be happy at this firm.” That's as close as you're likely to get to a ringing endorsement in today's competitive market.
The surveys were conducted across Canada anonymously by associates (and some junior partners). The firms are named, however, and so we publish online the results from firms only where there are sufficient numbers to maintain the associates' anonymity. For more survey results see www.lexpert.ca/student, and for a quick look at all the survey questions see sidebar to the left.
BE SMART
Many respondents emphasized the importance of good grades, telling law students to “focus on your academics, as grades are relevant to the hiring process everywhere, not just here.” This everywhere aspect was newly repeated this year. “Get the highest marks you can if you want to get a job.” Very early into reading the survey results, it becomes clear that students are facing challenges in the articling employment market. Some students, who might earlier have considered articling exclusively at a large, national firm, now have to think beyond that. Meanwhile, mid-sized and boutique firms are taking fewer students and can expect to hire students with higher grades than they might previously have done. “Students need to broaden their horizons in the current market.”
Respondents also raised another “be smart” factor: students should commit to a specialty practice area before going to a specialty firm. “This is a great place if you want to practise Aboriginal law,” and so it went for other areas like intellectual property law, litigation, tax law. “If you have an interest in a business-related practice, do your best to stay current on happenings in the Canadian market.” Clearly, the message is, if you don't, your competitors will. And because it is relatively tough out there, students need to…
BE TOUGH
“Buckle up! It'll be a bumpy ride,” wrote one person. “If you are hungry to get clients, you will succeed at this firm.” Associates who have buckled up and are hungry are staying in their chairs. There were noticeably fewer calls this year, compared to surveys we have done in previous years, for firms to provide work-life balance. When they did come, there was acceptance or resignation on the point, without any sign of actual resignation. “While I recognize that billable-hour pressures at other firms are more significant, the workaholic culture of the law firm and the need for law firms to constantly grow and increase the profit margin sets an unreasonable work-life balance for lawyers.” What is to be done? This seems to be a class of associates who are collectively saying, “You will receive excellent training but you will need to work hard and put in long hours.”
It sounds as though the economy has driven associates to accept more and expect less from their firms than they did a few years ago. “Ideal candidates for our firm would be people who have a willingness to work hard and who are looking to take on a high level of responsibility for files and client contacts.” And warned another survey-taker: “This is not a place for people who want to cruise after getting called: a great deal of importance is placed on being on the cutting edge of tax knowledge and on technical proficiency, which requires a significant personal investment.”
Even where respondents were completely miserable, they didn't leave the impression they thought they could leave. One said “DON'T” to students aspiring to article at the firm. Another wrote, “Go elsewhere.”
Toughness came out most clearly in all the talk about billable hours and targets. When asked for “comments regarding the firm's billable-hour system” there was a range in tone certainly in the answers. One firm appeared to have no penalty for not meeting target; however, it had introduced a bonus system for meeting it.
Sample comments about firms' billable-hour systems included:
“You rise and fall by the billable target. Nothing else matters. The pressure is intensified because everyone's billable hours are posted for everyone else to see.”
“Non-billable work is encouraged, as is marketing. This firm is generous when it comes to marketing support for a young associate. Building a sustainable practice is encouraged.”
Associates everywhere across Canada are feeling the heat:
“Strong focus on billable time, but also consideration for non-billable time.” And similarly, “strong pressure to meet billable-hour targets. Too much emphasis on billable hours.”
“With not much work at the office right now; the policy may be strict as regards billable-hour targets, but its implementation is currently not.”
Associates have to be aware of accounts receivable, too. “The moving target is the collected target. As time progresses, it is expected that the funds collected increase, time written off decreases, and AR is kept at a certain level. If targets are met or exceeded, you receive a raise and a possible bonus. If targets are not met, a raise may not be given.”
On the other hand, there seems to be a level of reasonableness out there if you are lucky enough to find it: “While we are given a target and expected to meet it, the firm has a culture of respect — including respect for your time. You will not spend time doing busywork and are not expected to burn the midnight oil in the same way as at some other firms.”
BE YOURSELF
When they say be yourself, they mean your best self. “Be honest about the kind of work you want to do and the kind of environment you hope to work in. All candidates that apply are strong, so we really are looking for ‘fit.' We are a friendly and collegial group, far more casual than other firms, and as diverse as we are, we share a passion for our work and value our friendships with each other.”
Client interaction was evidently a main impetus behind this third line of survey responses. “Client exposure occurs early on, which enables students to develop excellent communication skills and a practical approach to practising law. If you strive to be a top business lawyer in Canada, this is the place for you.”
Being yourself also means getting to know your colleagues, both lawyers and non-lawyers. “It is extremely important to build relationships with lawyers and staff at all levels of seniority.”
“Be yourself, be confident but not arrogant, and be affable. While you will not succeed if your work product is poor, no matter how outstanding your work is, you will absolutely not succeed if you are not at ease socially and presentable to a client. Simple formula: spend time getting to know the partners and associates on a social level, and you will find your champions.” And another key piece of advice: “be humble.”
Students are well-advised to tap into their entrepreneurial selves. “Identify opportunities for work and identify early on practice areas you want to be involved in, and make them known to partners and senior associates. Make sure to indicate to other lawyers if you are interested in taking on more work and responsibilities.” Another respondent wrote of their firm, “Best for self-starters.” “Show initiatives, seek out opportunities if you are interested in particular areas, but do keep an open mind. Do something different from practising law or working in an office while you still can.”
Along the same “get out while you still can” route, one articling alumnus advised, “Great place to get experience in a broad range of practice areas and to allow you the opportunity to find a practice area that's right for you, but you should consider whether you wish to have a career in a large firm. Larger firms often result in more politics, less individual appreciation and attention, higher targets and fewer benefits. Get in touch with new associates or current articling students (preferably those who haven't just started articles). Ask questions about lifestyle, pros and cons about the firm, anything you're curious about. They should hopefully give you some good insight so that you'll go into the interview/articling process with your eyes open.”
After that, respondents say that aspiring partners need to learn about how to function in a law firm:
“There are very few formal processes in place, and therefore you have to form your own processes to some extent. Others here will help you understand how things work and how to succeed. So, find your own mentor(s) and ask that person everything, and remember, some of the best mentors are those who are not signed up as formal mentors. Take control of and responsibility for your own work and be proactive. Communicate often and openly with the lawyers you are looking for. The quality of work here is excellent and you will be given excellent opportunities if you take control of your career from the very start.”
After all that tough talk, we close with the observation that some associates did note chances for personal satisfaction at law firms. “There is a very strong chance that you will be happy at this firm.” That's as close as you're likely to get to a ringing endorsement in today's competitive market.
