Transitioning from a Big Firm ...

Five former Bay Street types discuss their move off the big firm partnership track

… to an NGO
Kate Swanson, counsel and corporate secretary for the Canadian Foundation for Advancement of Investor Rights, made the move this winter from Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, where she was an associate. Her advice for anyone contemplating life in the not-for profit sector is to prepare for a culture shift. “I went from working in an office with over 500 employees – each of whom had a very specific role – to working with a team of three other people. When you leave private practice, especially for a small charitable organization, you are going to have to get comfortable stepping outside the lines of your job description and be ready take on whatever is thrown your way.”

… to an in-house position
Michelle Chaisson, senior legal counsel at Ryerson University, was a seventh-year associate at Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP when she moved in-house last year. She says anyone thinking of a similar switch should start by setting some clear parameters about the kind of in-house position they’d like. “Be thoughtful about the legal role you are seeking – public or private, industry, size of legal team – then leverage your network and monitor listings to find those opportunities.” She also suggests discretely “interviewing” the potential employer, including speaking to junior members of the legal team. And, “don’t jump blindly. The right opportunity may not be the first one.”

… to a job outside law
Alexandre Panneton was an associate at Heenan Blaikie LLP when he decided to move into the client end of the equation in 2012, first in television and now as CEO of Montreal-based Apollo Group, an audio services producer. He says the good news for anyone thinking of business is “your law degree and expertise is usually seen in a positive light by potential employers.” To help find the right organization, he suggests looking to interesting and successful firm clients. “Personally, I used that opportunity to organize meetings with them, ask for mentorship, and ultimately build relationships outside of work.”

… to a smaller firm
Adrienne Boudreau, who joined Sotos LLP as a senior associate from McMillan LLP, says in her experience a small firm equates with big opportunities. “Large firms often have very set ideas about the ways in which more junior lawyers can – and cannot – contribute,” she says. “When I made the move from large firm to small firm I found that these rigid role expectations were gone.” Her best advice to transition from large firm to boutique? “Don’t be afraid to get involved from day one even if you’ve never done something before. Stop thinking about ‘being a lawyer’ in terms of what that meant at your old firm.”

… to civil service
Robert Sampson, legal counsel at Elections Canada, left Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP in 2010. He says any associate thinking of government should do their homework carefully. “Some government lawyers work long hours under significant stress. If you’re looking for a more balanced lifestyle, apply with care. Consider your level of interest in the nuts and bolts of government; you may be closely involved in administrative processes and the machinery of government.” He also counsels applying for a variety of positions, saying it’s very common to move. So “consider a first position in a unit that will give you transferable legal skills … knowledge of key government processes and contacts.”

Firm(s)

McMillan LLP Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP Sotos LLP Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP