Aesop’s fables of articling (vol 17, no 3)

When I moved to Victoria from Nanaimo to launch a branch office I took in an articling student who turned out very well. Two other for free candidates I took in on the basis that they be paid based on their work. They both then earned more than the salaried one. She probably wished she had had the same terms.

Historically I did summer articles for two summers. My post-grad articles ended in an immediate partnership. I had no student-loan debt because such was not available, but I worked afternoons as a carpenter, and evenings teaching dancing and as a salaried gatekeeper for all social events at my university. I had asked the Bursar if I could pay half tuition down and the other half at xmas. He agreed. Then I asked him to give me some employment so that I could pay him at xmas. Thus the gatekeeper job. At a grad reunion I learned of others who were employed as part-time law librarians which paid better but did not give the free admission to social events I enjoyed. I think that getting articles calls for creative ingenuity.

Ron MacIsaac (grad 1948)

Work-Life Balance (vol 17, no 3)

In the June 2005 issue of BarTalk Cheryl Stephens wrote a letter to the editor addressing the work-life balance issue. I’m a lawyer/single mom with a toddler. I’ve been trying for two years to get my boss to agree to part-time, even for a year or two, with no luck. My practice is easily cut into two. I provided my boss with names of several qualified lawyers who would love to take up the rest of the time; I showed her articles indicating the cost of losing an associate and how to keep staff productive with flexibility; I offered to work 60% for 50% pay, to work from home to not take up office space and to forego benefits...I am looking for a part-time salaried position as I do not have the time to set up my own practice. I’ve consulted a headhunter and am willing to move. Do part-time law practices exist, and if not, why not?

Name withheld by request

Civil Justice Experiment (vol 17, no 3)

May I suggest that the Provincial Court of B.C. be split into three divisions: Criminal, Family, and Civil. The days when JPs presided over provincial court matters are long gone. Now we have qualified and experienced lawyers presiding at the sittings of our provincial courts. Why should we label the civil claims in the provincial courts as “petty claims” or “small claims”. It is a civil claim, and so should it be called. Why should we limit claims to $25,000? Why not $100,000. If someone is not happy with the judgment of the provincial court there should be provision for appeal to the Supreme Court.

Rudy Mishra

These letters were published in the August 2005 issue of BarTalk.