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Barely found an articling job, made basically no money, and then was fired 6 weeks later. Moved back to Edmonton because I had 6 figure debt and no income. Didn’t think law was for me, and that sentiment was shared with me by peers and professors (mainly from a good place) https://twitter.com/rabjeetwallia/status/1324144391481565184
The part that bothered me the most was people dunking on the type of lawyer I wanted to be and the work I wanted to do. The line that grated me the most was "well, are you independently wealthy because you can’t make money doing that type of work."
After my articles, I knew that if I didn’t give my dream a shot — doing the type of public law, public interest litigation that inspired me to go to law school — then I didn’t want to be a lawyer.
Since there were no firms in Alberta doing that work (or firms elsewhere who’d hire me), I had to start my own firm. Lots of folks told me it was the stupidest decision I could ever make. Most said that based out of concern for my best interest. But, I needed to do it.
I just dove in. I remember my first couple of hearings, both in the same week, and I was just shaking. Anxiety and stress through the roof. It was tough. Learning through fire. Getting beat up but trying to figure out how to get back and get it done.
Worked all the time. Burnt out 3 times (which @skakkar007 has seemed to sense and call out each time without me saying anything), once pretty bad. But, for some reason felt I needed to plug away at it and figure out how to make it work.
Finally feel like I have a sense of the right ingredients for the recipe. Paid off my student debt, doing the work I want to do and on my terms. Still lots of work and reflection needed because I am not quite there yet but I’ve transformed so much through the process
I know now that I can be myself and still be a lawyer. That I can do the type of work I want to do and pursue the causes and interests I want to advance. But, I also recognize that it shouldn’t have been so hard and often lonely.
That’s why I believe that we need to be there for each other as a profession, to particularly to help those coming into this profession, ensure they see a sustainable sense of themselves in it. Repaying the kindness that many showed me and ensuring others have a better journey
It’s also important that we don’t provide rose coloured, unrealistic, and frankly false narratives of the practice of law and journey folks will likely go on in the profession. That’s why I appreciate @rabjeetwallia thread and telling it like it is
