Authenticity or Résumé Fluff?

I grew up playing sports and everyone loved to go on about how athletes are so successful in their careers and have all kinds of transferable skills they bring to the workplace. I was comforted by that concept when I was young. I thought job offers would be hurled at me when it came time to apply. But, when job postings came out, it felt like those skills had left me high and dry. How was I supposed to write in my résumé that I was a hard worker and make it believable? 

Was the whole world going to read my cover letter and take me at my word that I was a team player with strong leadership skills?

I learned quickly through the summer student application and interview process that all those soft skills we learn and develop through life aren’t always marketable. They are demonstrated, proven, and reveal themselves through our experience, and otherwise might feel cheap or inauthentic when written down on paper.

This outlook may seem bleak, and as I write this, I hope I am not scaring anyone off. However, the bright side is this: those who praised my soft skills were not wrong. When they spoke of those skills leading to success in my career, they weren’t talking about getting a job – they were talking about being successful when doing the job.

Every working day, I not only use the strategies and skills I developed through sports -- I depend on them. 

I have balanced full courseloads, volunteering, work, and 25 hours a week of practice and games, and still find time for a social life! This taught me how to balance priorities between work obligations, hobbies, family, and friends. I learned how to recognize when coaches and teammates were actually upset, or when they were just stressed, Now I use that same skill when I speak to insureds and opposing counsel. 

The skill transference list could go on. Before I get off my soapbox, this is my final message for every student who is preparing for interviews and rehearsing their ‘elevator pitch’. Your laundry list of learned skills may feel unconvincing, but they are the reason you will survive and thrive once you get the chance to prove yourself. Good luck.

by Angela R

My 2025 INs and OUTs - Articling Student Trial Edition

This year is for learning, growth, and taking bold steps forward (so says my horoscope). 

So here are my 2025 INs and OUTs as an articling student who just conducted her first successful Small Claims trial.

 INs

Controlling the Controllable

A lot of litigation, especially when it comes to trial, is thinking on the fly – witnesses can be fickle, sometimes opposing counsel are loose cannons, and judges don’t always want to make your life easy. That's what makes litigation exciting! However, with the excitement comes unpredictability, so my first 2025 IN is controlling the controllables.

By the time trial started, I could quote our Statement of Defence, I knew important dates like they were my own family’s birthdays, and I studied the rules of evidence and court decorum like it was finals week of 1L. Everything I could do to prepare was already done, and it was a comfort to know that the unpredictability of the courtroom was not up for me to decide.

Humility 

Lawyers and law students have a reputation for being competitive and know-it-alls, and, frankly, insufferable at times. As an articling student, speaking from experience, are almost never the smartest person in the room, and even if you are, it’s very unbecoming to act like it.

The upshot of being humble is that soaking in the experience is when the learning happens. By being polite and courteous to the associate judge, the paralegal, and the registrar, I learned from all three.

OUTs:

Staying Quiet

I count my blessings every day that our client happened to be a former litigator. However, with his extensive knowledge of the law and the particular area of law in dispute, I let myself get intimidated and those nerves carried over into my opening submissions and cross-examination on day one of trial. I felt unsure after day one and didn’t want the same experience on day two. I decided to float my ideas by our client so that our strategy was collaborative and more importantly, it was one that I understood and felt confident executing. Suffice it to say, that my confidence improved on day two.

Uncomfortable Clothes

Day one of trial made me want to start a petition striking the first two words from the phrase “look good, feel good, play good”. Getting ready for trial, I put on an itchy grey top that looked so good, and I felt ready for the day! 

But as soon as I stepped into the warm courtroom and began my opening submissions, I regretted my outfit choice. 

Although looking professional and presentable is important – especially before receiving our “lawyer” robes – it is equally important to be comfortable speaking in front of a judge without looking like you want to jump out of your skin. So, my final 2025 OUT is uncomfortable clothes. Wear clothes that you can be confident and comfortable in.

by Angela R.

Lawyer in Train(ing)

 

The journey to becoming a lawyer can be a long one, with articling being one of the countless trains we have to take.

Hop aboard while I take you through the many stops you will make during your articling period.

First stop, PleadingsVille

Pleadings are the main documents in a lawsuit that the court requires the parties to file at the beginning of a case. These typically include a statement of claim and a statement of defence. As an articling student, I drafted pleadings and saw how a lawsuit begins. Whether I am drafting a claim for a plaintiff, or defending a claim, I am able to identify the key facts and issues to make the case. 

Next stop, The Township of Affidavits 

Lawyers will typically gather all the evidence in their client’s possession and compile it into an Affidavit of Documents to exchange it with the other party. When tasked with drafting an Affidavit of Documents, I start by reading the statement of claim and defence to get familiar with the case. Then I sort the documents into 3 categories, i) relevant, ii) privileged, and iii) not relevant. All the relevant documents are produced and included in the Affidavit under Schedule A. While all the privileged documents, such as communications between the lawyer and the client, go into Schedule B.

When it is challenging to identify the relevance of a particular document, I reach out to the assigning lawyer for clarification. 

Next Stop, The City of Dreams

This is where all aspiring lawyers aim to go. No, not New York City, Courthouse City. Going to court is an essential part of the articling experience. While a majority of court appearances are now virtual, there are still some opportunities to attend court in person. Whether I am observing and diligently taking notes or making a submission, going to court is the most exciting part of my articling experience. I have been given many opportunities to sit in on discoveries, mediations, settlement conferences, and pre-trials. It’s always interesting to hear the opposing party’s submissions and watch how the case unfolds. 

These are just a few of the many stops you will make during your articling period. 

While articling can be a challenging journey to navigate, especially for new law school graduates, there are several conductors on this train to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Ashley, Student Director, is one of many people who ensure students have the best experience possible.  

by Annie J.

Staying Organized as an Articling Student

The transition from life as a law student to an articling student comes with a steep learning curve. 

Aside from the 12-week summer student term – which flies by in the blink of an eye – articling is the first real glimpse into the life of a practicing lawyer.

In my first three weeks with multiple assignments on the go at once and field trips scheduled by mentoring lawyers, and Ashley Faust, Student Director, I realized staying organized is crucial for both my success as an articling student and the success of the firm’s clients. These are the methods that have helped me stay organized.

Recording Assignment Details – Immediately!

At MB, our main source of assignments is the “list”, an email group where lawyers send tasks to all articling students. The firm is busy, so the list often moves quickly. To keep track of all my assignments, when a new assignment comes in, I immediately record important details on a spreadsheet provided by Ashley, including a breakdown of the tasks to be completed, the assigning lawyer, the client file number, and the due date. I then track my progress using a light system: green indicates I’m currently working on the assignment, yellow indicates I am awaiting feedback on the draft I’ve submitted, and red indicates my work has been approved. This system helps me manage deadlines to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Filing Emails

Whether it is messages from lawyers and clients, conflict checks, or updates about firm social events, managing the high volume of emails is challenging. To help stay organized, I create separate email folders for each new assignment. This allows me to file related emails into the appropriate folder, ensuring that all correspondence for an assignment is neatly recorded and easily accessible.>

Diarize Field Trips & Due Dates

MB prioritizes hands-on learning for articling students, so we attend several “field trips”. In the first few weeks of the articling term, I’ve already been scheduled to attend a mediation, an examination for discovery, a pre-trial conference, a motion, and an application. Using Outlook calendar, I diarize my field trips and set up reminders 3-4 days in advance. This gives me time to contact the lawyer for instructions and to review the file before attending. Proper scheduling allows me to organize assignment due dates around these field trips.

Establishing good habits as an articling student will make me more successful as a lawyer -- when organization and time management are even more crucial. After all, failing to keep track of deadlines as a lawyer could result in serious consequences, such as missed limitation periods, or a client being noted in default. Being organized also helps reduce stress because I know everything is accounted for and I have ample time to complete my assignments.

However, no matter how hard I try to stay organized, I know things will come up to throw my plans out of whack. In those situations, it is extremely comforting to have a supportive MB team around me. Whether it is reaching out to Ashley for advice on managing competing deadlines or calling over the cubicle to ask another articling student for assistance, I know there will always be someone ready and willing to help in any way they can. 

by Draeden L.

Balancing Life as a Personal Trainer turned Law Student

 

As a law student and personal trainer, I knew transitioning from student life to a professional environment would be challenging. How would I balance my time between a demanding job, getting to the gym, and staying on top of my nutrition? Would I have to forgo all social events and personal activities I enjoy? Definitely not!

Balancing the demands of law with my passion for fitness has taught me invaluable lessons about maintaining both physical and mental health.

This summer, my strategy for staying healthy, and productive included finding ways to eat nutritiously on busy days, doing exercises that alleviated pain from sitting at a desk, and creating routines to reduce stress.

Prioritizing Healthy Eating

One of the biggest changes in my life was the shift in my eating habits. Working in law is demanding, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of convenience foods. However, I’ve found that maintaining a healthy diet is crucial for both my energy levels and mental clarity. When I haven't the time to make lunch, I choose“healthier” on-the-go food choices at my favourite coffee shop!

Stretches and Exercises for Back and Neck Pain 

Spending long hours studying or working at a computer takes a toll on my back and neck. These are the stretches I do regularly to prevent pain.

Reducing Stress

I found creating a structured daily routine is one of the best ways to achieve success. It helps me get clear on my priorities, organize my time, and boost productivity. To make the most out of my 24 hours and limit procrastination, planning my day allows me to stay focused on my goals and direct my attention to the important things that I can control.

These are the things I considered when creating a productive schedule:

• Morning Routine: I start my day with a healthy breakfast and a quick workout to boost my energy and focus.
  
  
• Work and Study Blocks: I set specific times for working, ensuring I stay on track with my assignments.
  
  
• Breaks and Physical Activity: I incorporate short breaks and physical activity throughout the day to keep my mind and body fresh.
  
  
• Evening Wind Down: I dedicate time in the evening to relax and unwind, which helps me maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Finding Balance

In conclusion, change is inevitable and isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Success depends on how I choose to approach the circumstances changing around me. Balancing a career in law has its challenges, but with the right routine and mindset, it’s possible to do less and achieve more.

I also found inspiration reading the ultimate self-help book, "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. It's infamous for a reason and it’s included in the Spotify Premium membership. So, grab your headphones and get walking!

by Zlata B.