Toronto: A City of Commuters

My family, like many others, made the decision to move out of Toronto and to the last stop on the Lakeshore East GO Train line: Oshawa. Four years later, I return to Toronto as a commuting summer student. Here is what I have learned, and if you are a prospective student thinking about commuting to the city every day for work, this is what you can expect a typical day to look like!

I wake up at 6AM daily, but I arrive at my desk at MB just before 9AM. So, what do I do in those three hours between getting up and starting work? I am WORKING. 

"A travelling student is a student who never stops learning." 

This is my typical schedule:

6:00 AM: Feed the cat. Complete my mandatory playtime shift (otherwise my furry boss may get cranky).

6:20 AM: Brush teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, and make lunch.

7:00 AM: Out the door! On my drive, I like to listen to my favourite podcasts (my favourite one at the moment is a podcast about abandoned/ extinct amusement parks and why they closed down).

7:25 AM: Arrive at the GO Station and find parking in time to catch the 7:30 train. I have quickly learned that trains are the emptiest on Mondays and Fridays. I leave my house early the rest of the week because it can get PACKED on that train, and the further I have to park, the more likely I will miss my train! On the train, I will check and respond to my personal emails, solidify my after-work plans, then watch a documentary that will wake me up for the day. I am registered to take the MPRE in August, so I will also listen to MPRE lessons or do practice quizzes.

8:30 AM: Arrive at Union. I am finding my way around the never-ending station and can confidently find the exits closest to MB.

8:45 AM: Arrive at MB. Walking provides an opportunity to check out the PATH on my way to work, which means I can pinpoint exactly where I want to go for my break (one day, I may even know how to fully navigate the infamous PATH)!

5:00 – 6:00 PM: Wrap up work for the day. The time I finish usually varies, and I do my best to finish 15 minutes ahead of the next scheduled GO Train.

6:00 PM: A couple times a week, I will walk to a nearby yoga studio. It really takes your mind off the impending crowded GO Train I will have to catch home.

7:25 PM: Catch the GO Train home. I will watch movies or TV shows on the train, I have found many new favourites this way.

8:25 PM: Drive home while listening to music or chatting with a friend on the phone.

9:30 PM: Go to bed to do it all over again tomorrow!

As you can see, the commute is strenuous and takes up a big chunk of my day. However, I get a LOT done on my commute, and it has taught me how to practically manage my time and how to effectively adapt to my surroundings so that they will never be a barrier to what I want to get done! If I am late for yoga or the train, they will go on without me. This kind of pressure has allowed me to find the self-discipline I need to meet the timelines I have set for myself in both my professional and personal life. So, if you are thinking of commuting, do it. You may be surprised at what you learn about yourself!

by Liza K.

Whose side are you on, anyway? – Getting exposure to Plaintiff and Defence work

It’s been just over three weeks since our summer student experience at MB began, and I’m happy to say I’ve enjoyed every minute! Ashley told us during orientation that the work was going to fully immerse us in the civil litigation process, and that couldn’t be more accurate. In the first few weeks of the summer, I’ve had a wide range of assignments, including drafting a statement of defence, a mediation brief, and preparing a damages brief. While taking on so much responsibility this early has been daunting, it’s been a great learning experience, and I’m already starting to feel more confident.

"I was introduced to a type of claim that was entirely new to me: subrogation." 

Subrogation is a process that allows an insurer to recover the money it has paid to its insured by initiating a legal action in the name of the insured against a third party who is responsible for the loss. Subrogation claims can span several areas, including flood or fire damage and faulty/improper construction, to name a few. One of the exciting aspects of subrogation claims is that the firm gets to represent the plaintiff. This means that in addition to the vast array of defence work, as students, we also get to see first-hand what it’s like to advance and manage a claim on behalf of the plaintiff. Not only does this keep the work fresh and exciting, but it will be extremely valuable in developing us into well-rounded litigators.

I’m incredibly excited to see what the rest of the summer has in store!

by Draeden L.

Avoid tipping the scales of justice

Everyone warned me about maintaining a good work-life balance when entering a career in law. How easy it can be to get so caught up that you dive in and don’t realize when you have lost that balance. I am lucky to work at a firm that wants its students and lawyers to have a life outside of work. But admittedly, I can see myself falling into the trap of loving work so much that it becomes my hobby.

So, with my whopping two weeks of summer student experience, I'm here to tell all you readers the one way I found to make sure I didn’t get lost in my work.

“I use my colleague’s interests as a way to get out and try new things.”

In my case, the opportunity rolled through my inbox in early January. One of the firm associates started a McCague Borlack team for the Baycrest Ride for Brain Health. At the time, I had accepted a summer student position and only knew one other person at the firm, a fellow student. The idea of meeting a bunch of my future colleagues (and superiors) was a bit daunting. However, my comfort spaces were always in a gym or volunteering so how bad could a charity bike ride go?

The plot thickened when deciding on the course route (25, 50, or 75km). I decided to throw myself in and signed up for the 75K. Because how, as a former high-level athlete, could I sign up for the shortest distance? (Editor’s note: Angela was a Pro Basketball player in Denmark!) I wasn’t sure if I was shooting myself in the foot, but my family tends to live by the saying ‘go big or stay home’.

This new goal added a ton of fun training on my own throughout the remainder of the school semester and before I knew it, I was starting at the firm. I still hadn’t met anyone I would be riding with but every night after work, I would hop on my bike to train. I looked forward to the upcoming event itself and meeting everyone, but my daily training was still fun and exciting. I was motivated to do well at the event, and the training didn’t involve factum writing or drafting documents (not that I don’t love those as well).

On the day of the event, I got on my bike with my water bottle and emergency granola bar and got cycling! I had a ton of fun getting to bike on the DVP (closed for riders only!) and was contributing to a great cause, and at the end getting to meet a few more colleagues! 

 Overall, it was a 10 out of 10 experience! (Editor’s Note: Angela finished in just under 3 hours!) And to get back to the point of this whole piece, I learned about an awesome experience through the firm that made sure I didn’t get too absorbed in my work. While I am not in a position to give advice, seeing as I am as fresh as it gets to working in a law firm, I can say with confidence that one way I will remain a well-rounded individual will be to stay open to opportunities, career or otherwise, that fall in my lap along the way.

by Angela R.

Lessons in Life and Law from Coach Ted Lasso

As an articling student, I have been searching for inspiration and guidance in my journey toward becoming a lawyer. Recently, I’ve been keeping up-to-date on the new season of the hit TV series TED LASSO, and so I felt it would be topical for my next blog post to cover the many valuable lessons offered by the show that could be applied to the life of an articling student.

For those who are unfamiliar with the show, Ted Lasso is a feel-good comedy about an American football coach who is hired to manage a struggling English football (soccer) team. Despite having no prior experience with the sport, Ted uses his positive attitude and unconventional coaching methods to inspire his team and turn their fortunes around.

Here are some of the lessons that I, as an articling student, have taken from Ted Lasso:

1. Embrace positivity and kindness: In the show, Ted is known for his infectious positivity and kindness towards others. He treats everyone with respect and dignity, even in the face of adversity. As an articling student, it can be easy to get caught up in the stress and pressure of the job, but by embracing a positive attitude and showing kindness towards colleagues, clients, and others, we can create a more productive and pleasant work environment.
   
   
2. Be a team player: In Ted Lasso, the success of the team depends on the collective efforts of each member. As an articling student, it's important to remember that we are part of a larger team and that our contributions are valuable. By working collaboratively with others and supporting our colleagues, we can achieve more together than we could individually.
   
   
3. Adapt to change: When Ted is hired to manage a football team, he has to adapt to a new sport and a new culture. As articling students, we may face similar challenges as we navigate new areas of law and work with different clients. By being open-minded and willing to learn, we can adapt to change and thrive in new situations. In the words of Coach Lasso, “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse... If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”
   
   
4. Focus on the bigger picture: Throughout the show, Ted reminds his team that success is not just about winning games, but about being the best version of themselves. As an articling student, it's important to remember that the goal of our work is not just to win cases or impress our colleagues, but to make a positive impact on our clients and society as a whole.
   
   
5. Be a goldfish: In one memorable scene, Ted tells his team to "be a goldfish" and let go of past mistakes and failures. As an articling student, it's easy to dwell on our mistakes and become discouraged. By adopting a goldfish mindset and letting go of past failures, we can focus on the present and future and strive for success.
   
   
6. Be curious, not judgemental: This quote, attributed to Walt Whitman and referenced in the show, reminds us to approach situations with an open mind and without preconceived notions. In Ted Lasso, Ted is always willing to learn and ask questions, even when he's in unfamiliar territory. As an articling student, it's important to approach our work with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to learn from others, rather than jumping to conclusions or making assumptions. By being curious and open-minded, we can gain new perspectives and insights that will help us become better lawyers.
   
   
7. Believe: Ted Lasso is a show that celebrates the power of belief, both in oneself and in others. As an articling student, it's important to have faith in our own abilities and to believe in the potential of our clients and colleagues. To believe that we matter, regardless of what we do or do not achieve. To believe that things can get better. That we can get better. That we will get better. By fostering a culture of belief, we can inspire ourselves and others to achieve great things together, “and can’t nobody rip that apart.”
   

Overall, Ted Lasso is a show that celebrates positivity, kindness, teamwork, adaptability, resilience, and belief. As articling students, these are all traits that we should strive to embody in our careers. By taking these lessons to heart, we can become better lawyers and, more importantly, better people.

by Matt D.

Speaking on my very first motion…alone!

DING DING. Off goes the list serve notification, and a new assignment has just come in for me. As I read the email, suddenly I am hit with a wave of excitement, and then utter fear. I have just been assigned to speak at an unopposed motion to request an adjournment…alone. Every litigator loves being in the courtroom, and consequently, I have always dreamed of speaking in court. However, now that the dream was about to be a reality, I felt immensely unprepared. >

"How am I supposed to speak in front of a real judge? How am I being trusted with this? What if I screw up big time? So many questions were rushing through my head."

As articling students, we are afforded the opportunity to speak at all types of motions. Despite this motion being unopposed, I knew this does not diminish the level of preparation I would require. I instantly knew that in order to be prepared for this, I needed to take advantage of all the resources available to me at McCague Borlack. First, I called the assigning lawyer, and he walked me through everything I needed to know. I was to look through all the materials, including the motion record, supporting motion record, evidence, and pleadings. I reviewed these in-depth, as my motto in life has always been that there is no such thing as over-preparation (we can debate this another time). Once I felt like I really had the materials down and understood the case, I began to draw a very sparse outline of points I want to make sure I cover. You never want to be reading from a script in front of a judge. However, it can be a nice piece of mind to have a few bullet points near you of the main gist of what you want to say, especially for your first time. I picked this practice up from my mooting days which was now proving to be an asset in terms of experience. Once the sparse outline was done, I got to practicing in front of a mirror to ensure I was prepared to articulate what I was seeking from the judge in a professional and competent manner.

Despite my preparation, I was still terrified the morning of. Every lawyer I spoke to told me I would be fine and not to stress, but I was still worried about all the “what ifs”. I made it to be some monster it wasn’t. I attended the motion (on zoom, as most motions are still being heard through video conference), outlined to the Associate Judge what exactly we were seeking, directed her to the exhibits which supported what we sought, and evidenced that the motion was unopposed. The next thing I know, the Associate Justice told me the adjournment has been granted and the endorsement will be sent shortly. I was dumbfounded – it was all over within 10 minutes! The first thing I thought to myself was that I had shed a skin. I had my first independent appearance in court and didn’t fail. It was an amazing learning opportunity and I know I will be less terrified for the next opportunity to appear independently in court. And yes, I say less terrified because let’s be real; the nerves never truly leave in entirety.

by Anita Z.