Facts: This fact pattern comes from my articling experience so far in hopes of easing the transition from law school classrooms to real world. It is intended to help the upcoming 2016-2017 MB's Articling students.
Procedural History: An Articling term typically commences in the beginning of August and comes to a stop in June. The busiest months are October, November and beginning of December because the calendar year is ending and many parties want to close their files before the New Year. The students that successfully complete their articling term get called to the bar in June.
Issue: The main issue during the entire articling term is how to successfully complete it while balancing a healthy lifestyle with the need to keep your supervisors satisfied with the work quality.
Ratio/Rule: The following is a test/checklist how to successfully complete an articling term:
(i) In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle during articling it is important to do the following:Reasoning: Try to understand the big picture. Every task that you are assigned - be it arguing a motion in court or researching case law - plays a role in the grand scheme of things. Try to understand each task, what role it plays, the matter preceding it and subsequent tasks that follow it. This allows you to anticipate the next step and effectively complete the assigned task.
(ii) In order to keep your supervisors satisfied, you should do the following:
- Keep your vitamins, omega 3s and minerals in your desk, as opposed to your home. This ensures that you regularly take them.
- Eat breakfast at home, bring lunch and buy dinner.
- Breakfast: oatmeal, eggs or cereal.
- Lunch: chicken, salad and/or bread.
- Dinner: chicken salad, falafel salad or vegetarian salad.
- Get exercise
- Whenever leaving your desk to go speak to a lawyer regarding an assignment you should have the following:
- Notepad
- Pen
- Treat the lawyers as law professors and each assignment as a law school graded paper.
- Never promise a deadline without being certain that you can deliver.
Supporting Case Law:
- You v. 3 Years of Law School, [2016] 1 LawSchool 3
- You v. LSAT, [2012] __ PracticeTests __
- You v. Undergrad, [2008] 01 UniversityUndergrad 04
If you were able to successfully finish all of these so far, you are most definitely capable of successfully completing your 2016-2017 Articling term. Best of luck!
Bogdan M.