r/LawCanada

I'm wondering, who do you think makes more anually - accountants or lawyers? I always assumed lawyers did (and the salaries seem to reflect that, on average, lawyers do make a bit more than accountants). But once you get into owning your own firm, it seems like a toss up.

My girlfriend just looked up the revenue for her accountant, and his revenue was cited as $2 million for himself and a single employee.

Got me thinking - who ends up making more money in a year - the lawyer or the accountant?

Looking to see if anyones had a similar experience, or any advice you may have. Has anyones articling experience made them decide to pursue another career? What did you end up going into? Do you have any regrets?

Im wrapping up articling in may where they dont do hirebacks. Never received any positive feedback, never receive clear instructions and then im told him doing it all wrong when i try. I am basically just set out to fail. If i ask questions i am either ignored or belittled. If my principlal makes any mistake i am made as the scapegoat.

I feel ill prepared to start my career as a lawyer because ive never been told when i am doing something right. And now im having to look for an associate job after the 10 worst months of my life where i made 0 connections nor received any advice from my principal on navigating the job market. I feel like my career is over before its even started and i am now considering going back to school and basically just starting over again.

Hi all,

I’ve been admitted to UofA Law and, notwithstanding any 11th hour responses, it’s probably where I’ll be going in the fall. It goes without saying, but I’m very grateful for the admission and I’m excited to start.

I went to the Dean’s Welcome day last month and walked away pretty satisfied about the place and the folks I talked to, but I’m sure selection bias played a large role (I doubt they’d select volunteers who would trash talk the school lol). Of course the school was trying to sell itself, so I don’t fault them for painting an overly rosy picture, but I am left wondering how accurate their description of the school was.

They stressed it was more collaborative than competitive, not at all a cut-throat environment, and that it had a much more communal vibe than you’d find elsewhere.

To current or former UofA students, are these claims about a non-competitive culture true? What are the facts on the ground about UofA law? I’d appreciate any insight.

Also, I’m an Ontario native who’s spent little time in Alberta, so any tips about moving to and living in Edmonton would also be very helpful. Thank you!

So I decided on law school but I just feel a bit conflicted. Don't get me wrong, I love law and just from my experiences there I could see this as a career. Its just with rising house costs, living costs in general and the salaries I tend to see with lawyers is it really worth all that time and effort?

I know it might be stupid to ask but idk if I'm going to make a career I'd also love to be able to live a normal life too

There is a lawyers office near my house (less then a minute walk), would it be weird if I emailed him to ask if he takes in undergraduates? I know I don’t have the experience that a law student would have but I’m willing to learn however I don’t know if this would be a good approach

I think everyone knows Ontario’s government is going to pass an omnibus bill which includes retroactive restrictions on FOI requests to cabinet ministers and the premier.

Are there any legal avenues for the public to pursue?

I posted in the legal advice sub and was told here might be a good place to post this. The responder said that if there are Charter issues, those can be legally challenged by the public after the bill has passed.

What might the Charter issues be?

I’m starting PLTC in May for the summer session, and I just realized my graduation is in early June on a weekday. From what I understand, PLTC attendance is pretty strict, so I’m wondering whether anyone has experience missing a class session for this or for something similar.

I’m not overly concerned myself, but my parents are hoping to attend, and I feel like I owe them that after all the support they’ve given me through law school.

Any insight would be really appreciated. Thanks!

Hey! I’m looking to find my mom a used barrister robe as a gift for Mother’s Day (even if it arrived a bit later). She is going to need one soon for work in BC (Lawyer). Online, new ones are over $1000. Is there any places like Poshmark that are known to sell used ones?

In general, are there any online stores that are known for selling used robes, barrister bags, etc? I’d love to get her some things.

Hi all,

I’ve been admitted to UofA Law and, notwithstanding any 11th hour responses, it’s probably where I’ll be going in the fall. It goes without saying, but I’m very grateful for the admission and I’m excited to start.

I went to the Dean’s Welcome day last month and walked away pretty satisfied about the place and the folks I talked to, but I’m sure selection bias played a large role (I doubt they’d select volunteers who would trash talk the school lol). Of course the school was trying to sell itself, so I don’t fault them for painting an overly rosy picture, but I am left wondering how accurate their description of the school was.

They stressed it was more collaborative than competitive, not at all a cut-throat environment, and that it had a much more communal vibe than you’d find elsewhere.

To current or former UofA students, are these claims about a non-competitive culture true? What are the facts on the ground about UofA law? I’d appreciate any insight.

Also, I’m an Ontario native who’s spent little time in Alberta, so any tips about moving to and living in Edmonton would also be very helpful. Thank you!

TLDR AT THE BOTTOM

I’m almost 30 years old in 2L with one exam left, struck out at OCI’s after 4 in firms but got a summer externship at a legal clinic helping a marginalized community through school which is unpaid (I have to pay tuition for it, but at least I get credits and exposure to what working in law feels like, and I’m hoping the work will feel fulfilling).

I’ve been feeling existentially tired, I got into Law to escape working with my family and to have my own thing and some financial freedom, and now it’s like why am I trying to get good grades?

I got pretty good grades so far, a high B+ average with 3 A’s and two top of class marks at a good school, but after striking out at OCI’s it feels pointless. I didn’t feel great interviewing for big law, and I suspect it’s just because I’m not meant to be in that field. I’m trying to convince myself that it was for the best. But having to still care about my grades, and having the uncertainty of securing an articling position is definitely making that hard. Big law would’ve been a great opportunity for training and opening doors later on and I just have to swallow my pride and move forward.

I know law schools push big law hard, and that there’s so much more outside of big law, and that I could probably find something I enjoy doing. But I also have doubts now about that, my family keeps telling me how lawyers don’t get paid that well (they’re all making 400k+ as physicians and their life looks sweet from the outside now that they’re practicing).

I feel like grades just open the door but the interview is super important and I absolutely hate that. I know I’m super capable at work, I’ve built businesses for my family that bring in 10k+ per month in profit, and I’m just a super calm guy who’s easy to get along with and I’ve been praised as a manager by all my staff. But I feel like I got passed over by people who are just a lot more social and energetic and upbeat during their interviews which feels like the system is just so wrong.

With the amount of debt I got myself into (200k), from being forced out of my parents house due to them not accepting my wife and having to pay rent for these past two years, I feel like a salary of $100-$150k (which I’m just guessing would be roughly what I’d get in my first 1-5 years of practice in the best scenario) is just going to keep me in this financial crisis where I’m always having to nickel and dime and be careful about my money.

The salary range also seems so uncertain, and variable, and I don’t feel like it’s tied to how great of a lawyer you can be. I just want to hear from any of you practicing law or in law school too, what is it that you enjoy about this field? Did your life feel significantly better after law school?

Just feeling hopeless and losing motivation now, sorry for the long post.

TLDR: Almost 30, 2L at a good Canadian law school with strong grades (high B+ average, multiple A’s), struck out at OCIs after 4 in-firms. Got an unpaid summer externship at a legal clinic (paying tuition for it). Feeling burned out and questioning everything — got into law for independence and financial freedom, but now sitting on $200k in debt wondering if a $100-150k salary will even dig me out. Family are all physicians making 400k+ which doesn’t help. I know I’m capable (built businesses, managed teams) but interviews reward a personality type that isn’t mine and the system feels broken. Trying to stay motivated with one exam left and no articling secured yet. What do you actually enjoy about practicing law, and does life get better after law school?

I think this man spent 16 years in custody.

Six people were murdered in cold blood because of him.

He is at a high-risk to reoffend violently.

It seems that this person being free poses a large risk to the general public.

What do citizens and politicians need to do in order make sure someone like this is never released? How can we change the system?

Yes, AI can do great things, but only some things and Canada is not a tech enthusiast society. Also, I understand lawyers in litigation would perhaps be the last ones impacted.

I am asking in Toronto and Greater Toronto Area terms. My firm is a single lawyer personal injury firm and they do not hire articling students. They don’t need another associate as it’s a one man firm. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How do you find a job when the fact that you didn’t get hired after the articling term is a big stigma. I am an internationally trained lawyer so I picked this articling job over LPP to get myself licensed.

I would be open to any advice anyone wishes to share. Thank you.

Any thoughts from within the industry on a graduate from TMU v. Windsor dual applying to big law? I am deciding on a school to attend and I know that I want to head down the path of corporate negotiation, or on the opposite end immigration law.

I am most concerned with a return on investment with dual, what if it’s not worth the double tuition on paper when I apply for internships or articling.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Hey everyone, looking for some advice on employment lawyers in Ontario (GTA).

I recently got referred to a lawyer through the Law Society of Ontario referral service. I had an initial conversation with her and I actually liked her. She mentioned working on a retainer model where I’d pay one upfront fee and not be billed beyond that, which sounds straightforward.

My hesitation is that I couldn’t find any reviews for her or the firm online, so I’m not sure how to gauge quality or experience.

On the other hand, I’m considering paying $150–$400 for a consultation with a more established or “higher-end” firm, just to compare advice and feel more confident.

For those who’ve been through something similar:

Are referrals from the Law Society generally reliable/trustworthy? Is it worth paying for a consult elsewhere for a second opinion? Any red flags I should watch for with retainer structures like this?

This is my first time dealing with anything like this, so I’d really appreciate any insight or experiences. Thanks in advance.

Edit: I meant to say law society of Ontario not Canada

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/b-c-indigenous-man-sentencing-choking-kicking-toddler

Specifically, in cases like this that involve violent offenses against vulnerable victims, at what point does the focus on restorative justice for the offender begin to undermine the primary objectives of denunciation and deterrence?

It was supposed to be my second-last law school exam ever. I'm a 3L. I'd already deferred the exam and today was the day that I was supposed to...give it...and. the one brain cell that was left alive decided that it's a good idea to take a tiny nap before I get ready. I set multiple alarms for 7:30 AM. I woke up at 1:00 PM. I ran towards the university with 50 pages of carefully written notes and outlines in my hand. And they said I couldn't take the exam 5 hours after I was supposed to take it. Which is understandable.

I missed my exam. Not because anyone died or because I was sick. I missed it because I'm a massive idiot. Does anyone know how to deal with being a massive idiot?