im not completely unfamiliar with the demands of the profession but curious to hear from people dating someone working in biglaw

im seeing someone that works at one of the seven sisters, they are several years into their career and works pretty crrazy hours. i understand that the workload is demanding but i guess im wondering what's reasonable and what's not.

how often do you see each other? and is it normal to go for a few days without hearing from them?

I’m a 5th year call looking to make the switch into criminal law. I’m really interested in the area and I understand the substantive side well. I’ll also have a mentor and plan to start slow. The one thing holding me back is public speaking.

I think my problem is really two separate things.

1. Nerves in court. I already do some small appearances as agent for friends who are counsel on their files, mostly adjournments and similar quick matters. Even on those I get really nervous. Someone suggested I use a script, and I do, but when the nerves kick in I still fumble my words and lose my flow.

2. I’m just not naturally well-spoken. Even when I’m calm, I’m more introverted and shy. I’m educated and can hold a conversation fine, but I don’t have the polished, articulate delivery some people have naturally. My partner is incredibly well-spoken, and I notice the gap. It’s made me hold back from speaking up in groups more generally. I also worry that in criminal, where you’re on your feet constantly, opposing counsel and the bench will pick up on it right away.

I don’t want to avoid it anymore. I want to put myself in situations that force me to improve, because I don’t want this to be the reason I don’t pursue criminal work.

So I’m curious, especially from anyone who wasn’t a natural speaker:

• What actually helped you get better and calmer in court?
• Did things like reading out loud, practising submissions out loud (or talking to myself in the mirror, lol), or recording yourself make a difference?
• Any tips for using a script without sounding like you’re reading, or for recovering when you stumble?
• Courses, or other low-stakes ways to get reps?

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

Good morning everyone,

I am a 24(M) year old articling student working mainly in family law and civil litigation. I’ve passed the bar exams and plan on being called to the Ontario Bar in June 2027. I’ve had a hard time figuring out what I want to do with my legal career. My articling work is interesting, but I’m not sure that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

From the research I’ve done, being a Legal Officer offers a good, stable salary with frequent increases as well as good benefits and a pension. I’ve also seen people say that the job comes with a great work/life balance.

I’m young, unmarried, in good shape and have a genuine interest towards anything military. For these reasons, basic training and the possibility of being relocated do not scare me.

I was wondering if anyone in this sub has any experience, or knows anyone who does in such a field, and if it would be a good idea for me to seriously consider such a path.

I appreciate any and all replies!

My employer recently issued me a “revision” of a letter of expectation being issued to me. In the email that the formal LOE was attached to the employer states they are providing this “without precedent or prejudice” which is written in bold in the email.
It strikes me odd that those words were bolded - my limited understanding is that phrase is used to ensure there can be no retaliation or repercussions? I could be totally off base.
Can anyone help explain this phrase a bit better and why the employer would have bolded it - what is the inferred significance??
Thank you!!

I have no interest in working overtime and have no interest in sacrificing my weekends/free time. I understand this is an unavoidable aspect of most jobs, at least sometimes, though the frequency of this occurrence seems much higher in law than in other professions.

I would like the free time to pursue my other interests and hobbies. I can't see that being possible working 60 hours a week doing intense mental work. I don't care much for the money.

Do your work weeks leave you with the mental energy to pursue your other intellectual hobbies? or does law just monopolize your time and intellect?

I'm hoping an Ontario employment lawyer can weigh in on this situation.

I joined my company almost two years ago. When I received my job offer, a senior executive explicitly confirmed via email that the company offered unlimited paid vacation. However, my employment contract specifies three weeks of vacation, which we were told was included for vacation payout purposes.

Unlimited vacation was a well-established policy at the company, and employees regularly used it. I know unlimited PTO gets a bad reputation, but that genuinely wasn't our experience. We had a culture that encouraged taking time off, and the flexibility was one of the most valued benefits of working there.

Our company was subsequently acquired, and the new leadership now intends to eliminate unlimited vacation and replace it with a fixed entitlement, likely in early 2027.

Leadership has explained that the change is intended to standardize benefits across the organization and address financial reporting/revenue recognition considerations.

They've also stated that they've reviewed three years of historical vacation usage and believe virtually everyone will be "no worse off" under the new policy.

However, I don't think historical usage fully captures the value of unlimited vacation. Even if someone typically took four weeks per year, having the flexibility to take six weeks during an exceptional year was a meaningful benefit.

My questions are:

Can an employer legally remove unlimited paid vacation when it was explicitly promised in writing during the hiring process, even if the signed contract specifies three weeks?

Could this qualify as a substantial unilateral change to employment terms or potentially constructive dismissal under Ontario law?

If the employer removes a benefit with financial value, are employees entitled to compensation in return? For example, could we reasonably argue for salary increases to offset the loss, even if we don't have an automatic legal entitlement to them?

Does the company's argument that employees will be "no worse off" based on historical vacation usage have any legal significance?

Approximately 15 employees are affected. None of us wants to leave our jobs or pursue legal action unnecessarily, but we're concerned about losing a benefit that was explicitly offered when we joined.

We're also wondering whether it would be worthwhile to consult an employment lawyer collectively before the new policy takes effect.

I'd really appreciate any insight from Ontario employment lawyers or anyone who's dealt with a similar situation.

Thank you!

I have just under a month until I finish my articles. I do not intend to work in law after I do -- I turned down a relatively decent offer to continue at my current firm post-articling because I have decided that law is not the right path for me.

However, I am unsure if I should still get called to the bar. The necessary attire is around $2k from what I've understood and then there are the yearly law society fees which makes it feel like a waste of money to get called when I don't intend to practice. However, part of me is worried about not solidifying my credentials if I don't. Therefore, I'm seeking advice on what to do.

Further, if I do get called I am uncertain if I should be getting called under "inactive" status or "active - non practicing" as I do not intend to practice but "inacitve" seems to be more for retirees.

If you or anyone you know is able to take on a UK qualified lawyer for six months of articling (with a view to stay on) please let me know!!

I am qualified in aviation finance law and need to complete six months of articling in Alberta in order to be called. I have Canadian experience at a leading firm.

Hi all, this isn't relevant to me but just something I'm curious about.

I'm interested to hear about JD holders who work for the government in managerial or policy oriented roles. Is it common for the government (both provincial and federal) to hire JD's to work in these roles? Or are these roles usually more reserved for those with a MA, MPP or MPA? Just curious because I've heard mixed things.

I’m a US attorney currently working in state government in a state that borders Canada. I graduated from an Ivy League law school in the states and have 15 years of practice, including a short stint in big law. My wife is an accountant and a Canadian citizen. We are thinking about leaving the states for Canada, possibly Ottawa, but open to other areas. The thing is—I’m not especially enthusiastic about doing all that would be necessary to become a licensed attorney in Canada, but if there’s a way to make a decent living in say mediation or government agency work that would make my background at least relevant, that would make the whole thing easier. But how realistic is this?

Hello hello.
I am currently articling with a firm I like, and I feel I am learning a lot. The problem? It's located in a small province with next to no gay community.

I can stick out articling, but my need to be within a larger gay community is weighing on my mind constantly. How long after getting called is it realistic for me to transfer to Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary?

Howard levitt
Andrew monkhouse
Stuart Rudner
Steve Ball
Randy Ai
Stacy Ball
Samfiru Tumarkin
Howard Markowitz

I am halfway through articling and CPLED’s PREP. I have about 6 months to go and it’s unlikely any of the articling students in my firm will be retained because it is a government institution and they hardly retain people.

Looking at the current legal job market, what’s the best time to start looking for jobs so I will have a job ready to go when called to the bar May next year?

Thanks

I’m doing my articling right now and my principal gets very frustrated and will shout and say mean comments. On one hand I’m trying to be understanding because I know there’s so much I need to learn. I’ve also heard this is pretty common unfortunately. But I’m starting to feel so incredibly stupid and anxious all the time. I don’t have a choice but to stick this out but I was hoping to hear from other people who have gone through something like this to feel less alone.

Accidentally posted this question in the big law sub and realized it drew in a lot of people from NYC big law commenting there’s no log off lol. Is Toronto big law comparable? What is WLB like?

Considering law school and the big law grind really doesn’t appeal to me. Can you article places that are more boutique or mid sized or are those positions not as available? I’ve posted on this sub quite a bit these past few days and I don’t understand why people join big law if most of them quit soon after from burnout. I have worked in corporate 6 years now (in a non law role) and have come to realize how important having a life and focusing on your health is, so I really don’t want to hand cuff myself to a desk 12 hours a day and make my life worse. Why do people do it knowingly?

Pretty simple, just want to know which process servers do most lawyers pick and prefer, what do they like and not like about them, etc.

I want an overall general idea before I pick one

Would like to hear from lawyers who actually enjoy what they do and feel that this was their calling and aren’t burnt out. I’m applying to schools rn and it seems that other prospective applicants (including me) tend to have this rosy glow about this career path but the people actually in it don’t, or maybe I’ve just been hearing negative stories, so would like to hear of the other side

I want to hear from Lawyers who had a hard time in law school (and I mean GPA in the 2 something on 4.0 or 4.3) and who made it now. Who are happy and successful.

It's a thing to be having a hard time in law school, and reaching out you only meet people who are doing fine/good/great but I wanna hear from the ones who struggled because those persons are more meaningful to me right now to hear from.

Specifically for Fasken, but I assume it would be similar for other big law or big law adjacent?

Anything helps, outside of "be yourself". Any secrets that helped you during the in-firms.

Silly question, but do I have to wear a tie?

how much do grades matter for getting into your chosen exchange program?

I was called to the bar in 2023 and am currently practicing at a mid-size firm in Atlantic Canada. My salary for 2027 will be negotiated at the end of this year and I am trying to get a sense of a figure that would be aligned with the market. I currently have a base salary of $90,000.00. I’m hoping that my salary will be increased to at least $100,000.00 for next year, but I am just trying to get a sense of what others in the area at similar sized firms are making.

Hi everyone I’m currently a 33 yo SAHM of 2. With my boys growing up I find myself wanting more out of life than being a homemaker.

I don’t know if I want to be a lawyer but I think I do want to go the law school. I want my boys to see me as more than a mom and especially in this climate for them to see women as more than a homemaker and a mother. Am I too late to the game? Would I even get hired anywhere.

My uni grades weren’t great. I had about a 3.6. Average and am located in BC. My husband has said he would move our whole family if I got accepted somewhere that wasn’t UVic.

Looking for recommendations for the best personal injury law firms in Ontario. Doesn’t have to be in Toronto; I’m willing to go anywhere in Ontario for the right firm.
I was involved in a car accident earlier this year and have been dealing with some serious medical complications and ongoing treatment since then.
I’m considering switching my current lawyer and looking for a firm with a strong track record in handling complex personal injury cases.
Doesn’t have to be in Toronto.