Believe Them the First Time
Photo by Antonio Friedemann at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | January 9, 2024 When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time – – – Maya Angelou I have observed that there are many pitifully unhappy folks in law whose irrational hopefulness is downright impressive in a kind of twisted and sad way. […]
Grilled Cheese, Please
Photo by Ahmed Rabea at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | January 3, 2024 There is a restaurant in Lakefield, Ontario called the Canoe & Paddle. On their regular menu is an “Ultimate Grilled Cheese”, which comes with smoked bacon, cheddar, asiago, tomato, and garlic butter. On its “Kids & Seniors” menu, the restaurant offers a grilled […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Eight: The Chief Marketing Officer
By Murray Gottheil | December 27, 2023 Photo by Helena Lopes at Pixels Those of you who have been following this series know said that Part Seven was the final article in the series. It turns out that I lied. The purpose of the series is to set out the questions which articling students and new […]
Hawkers & Hookers
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 20, 2023 Young lawyers often do not realize, or want to accept, that they are in sales. “I am no salesperson” they think. “I am a professional.” Well, I have news for you. There are only two types of professionals. Those who cannot market themselves, […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Seven: The Supervising Lawyer
Photo by Sora Shimazak at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 29, 2023 This is the last in a series about the questions articling students and new associates should ask when when deciding if they want to stay at their firm long-term. This time, I will speak about supervising lawyers (SL). I was an SL for […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Six: The Law Clerks
Photo by Anna Shvets at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 25, 2023 This is the sixth in a series about information that articling students and new associates should have before deciding to stay at a firm for the long-term. Today it is about some of my favourite people in law firms – the law clerks […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Five: The Chief Financial Officer
Photo by RDNE Stock project at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 22, 2023 This is the fifth in a series about questions articling students and new associates should consider when sizing up their new firm. This time, I will address the senior person in charge of the money, who could have any of the following […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Four: The Chief Technology Officer
Photo by Murray Gottheil By Murray Gottheil | November 14, 2023 This is the fourth in a series about questions that articling students and new associates should ponder in determining whether they have landed in the right place. This time I will address the chief technology officer (the “CTO”). Of course, being lawyers we need a […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Three: The Chief Operating Officer
Photo by August de Richelieu at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | November 7, 2023 In Parts One and Two, I set out some questions that articling students and young lawyers should ask about their firm’s managing partners and practice group leaders. Today I will tackle the much trickier issue of the chief operating officer (COO). The […]
Law Firm Primer For Articling Students and New Associates – Part Two: The Practice Group Leader
Photo by Edmond Dantès at Pexels By Murray Gottheil | October 26, 2023 In Part One, I set out some questions that articling students and young lawyers should ask about the managing partner. This time let’s talk about your practice group leader (PGL). Here is a list of questions to help you determine the truth: If […]