Virtual Social Events

In approaching a potentially virtual articling term here at the firm, you may wonder how we manage to get to know each other? 

 Even in these strange and restrictive times, we still managed to eke out some face-to-face contact with one another. 

To get us organized, our Student Director, Ashley, created a schedule and assigned a different student each month to arrange an event for us on the first Thursday of the month. For obvious reasons, there is no requirement that the event be in-person. 

The first month, Ashley organized a virtual charcuterie and mixology class. See Ashna's blog below.

This month, Paul organized a Jackbox Games night. For those unfamiliar, these are a suite of web games where you log in with your phone and compete with others in various trivia-based games. 

Some of us keeners -- that were able -- met up in person, and the others joined via Zoom. (Shout-out to Tess who came from Ottawa.)

Zohaib generously hosted and put out an awesome spread. 

Lots of fun was had by all and many laughs were shared (along with a bottle of wine or two).

Ashley deserves credit for her expertise in selecting the right people for a student team. So, for those prospective students interviewing with the firm, rest assured that you will find yourself within a group of people who just seem to gel. Also be assured that despite the virtual world we are living in, camaraderie is alive and well. 

With that said, I am very much looking forward to our October social event.

Conner S.

Parting thoughts and final farewells from Toronto Students!

It almost seems inconceivable to say that we are at the end of our articling term. Ten months ago, we all sat in a boardroom on our first day of training, filled with trepidation at what the next months would bring. I think I can speak for all of us in saying that, despite our anxieties, our time spent at McCague Borlack gave us the incredible opportunity to learn and prepare for our future careers as lawyers. As an added bonus, our collective experiences throughout our articling terms have brought us closer together as a group, and helped us become what I am sure will be life-long friends.

SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, GOODBYE!

As it is time to say goodbye to McCague Borlack (at least for the summer), we hope to leave you with a few parting thoughts before we say our final farewells!




KAREN 

Parting Words: Take every opportunity you can – you only get one chance to learn as an articling student. You’ll never know what you’ll enjoy until you try!

Summer Plans: Enjoying the opportunity to do absolutely nothing.








MAHDI 

Parting Words: Work hard. Stay humble.

Summer Plans: Travel and work.

SHAYAN 


Parting Words: Seek out the work that interests you; don’t wait for it to come to you.

Summer Plans: Work! (Specifically out of our Barrie office this summer!)








VICTORIA 

Parting Words: Articling is like a rollercoaster; terrifying yet thrilling. Don’t let your fears stop you from enjoying the ride.

Summer Plans: Relax and rejuvenate!

MARLA 

Parting Words: Every day of the articling experience makes the next one more manageable. There’s a steep learning curve but we’ve all made it through.

Summer Plans: Hiking the West Coast Trail in BC and the Kalalau Trail in Kauai, Hawaii








RACHAEL 

Parting Words: This year has been an incredible learning experience! Greater than I could have imagined.

Summer Plans: Spending the summer at home in B.C.




Thanks for the memories MB!

by Victoria M.

Changing the Face of Men’s Health: “McCague Mos”

November is a unique month at MB. With summer well behind us, everyone is in full swing getting ready for year’s end, what with closing files and planning Christmas parties. But the most important part of the month is the new facial feature evident throughout the city. From court rooms to boardrooms, the newly grown lip toupees’ belonging to gentlemen across Toronto and the world marks the welcoming of Movember. At MB, McCague Mo’s, our Movember team, was back in action and ready to take on the mustachioed world.

With 8 dedicated members of the firm, including yours truly, donating their upper lips to support the fight against prostate cancer, and the entire firm making donations to support this valiant effort, McCague Mo’s managed to raise over $1,700 during Movember.

The sense of team camaraderie that I experienced with my fellow Mo Brothers and Sisters, as we all united for one noble, although fuzzy, cause, truly formed a bond that will extend until long after our mo’s have been rinsed down the drain. Our weekly photos quickly turned into sessions of storytelling about tasks that would normally seem routine, but have taken on a whole new life due to our Mos; previously mundane conversations now end with “is it itchy yet?” and a previously quick walk to a lawyers’ office is now surely interrupted by the snickering of others.

...being able to relax and partake in non law related extracurricular activities is essential.

Spending the amount of time that lawyers and students do at the office, being able to relax and partake in non law related extracurricular activities is essential. In the combined 8 months I have been at MB, I have participated in Movember, played with the firm’s softball team, competed in a charity volleyball tournament and attended the firm’s annual US Thanksgiving football party. These activities not only allow a break from day to day life at the office, but also allow me to get to know my coworkers outside of their professional jobs. This, in turn, leads to the forming of friendships, something that directly contributes to happiness while at work.

Although Movember is now over, its memory, and the contribution we all made to this worthwhile cause, will not be forgotten. Further, the experiences enjoyed with my peers truly contribute to a work environment that fosters friendships and collegiality alike.

Everyone ready for Decembeard?

Dave O.