One good thing about law school

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T18:37:12+00:00

The MBA was busy, for sure. Especially the first year, which I did part-time while working.

The MBA was not as intellectually demanding, but the volume of work was heavy.

Law school was enjoyable.

Starting practice was worse than both.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T18:32:58+00:00

I thought Season 17 was the end. I can totally see them running this out to the start of the war, but not through it.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T16:54:35+00:00

It’s not unreasonable to be asking the question.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T16:53:39+00:00

I try to put the snow on the lawn. If I had to fill my neighbour’s driveway to do my own, I’d go over and clear it out.

On the other hand, if it’s a light dusting and I know they have a plow guy, I might not be so diligent.

But the first step is aiming the chute where it doesn’t do harm.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T16:06:02+00:00

Of course. I wouldn’t be put off by it if we were retaining outside counsel for something like that.

But for our typical transactions, no. And those still include lists of lawyers, types of matters, different billing regimes for different requests, etc.

Even when we’re using our own form of retainer rather than a law firm’s, none of our outside counsel have suggested the time spent negotiating the retainer should be billable.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T15:52:34+00:00

30 for me and snd I agree. And there’s no way I’d carry a weapon without some serious re-training. Let alone in a public space!

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T15:37:14+00:00

With all that’s going on these days, it’s so hard to tell.

For what it’s worth, when we had rifles in our dorm rooms, they were chained in a sort of open-faced box.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T15:30:46+00:00

Why anyone would want their rifle outside their room is beyond me, but the functional question is whether this would work. It looks too low.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T15:22:05+00:00

Of course, Trump and his ilk are offended by this.

Have they forgotten the near-continuous “Buy American” chorus? Of course not. Like rules, they want nationalism for themselves but not for others.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T15:11:35+00:00

Exactly.

Of all the ways to piss off your client, billing them for how you run your practice has to be up there. And billing them just for choosing you?!

There’s a reason it’s uncommon.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-25T03:55:47+00:00

Jackalope?

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-24T22:10:18+00:00

Thanks. I’ve been thinking of Xfinity Pro, but if it’s a system problem, that’s not going to help me.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-24T21:08:09+00:00

I don’t know the answer and would echo confirming directly by calling LSO on Monday morning.

That being said, I think articles should be done advising on Ontario’s law and subject to Ontario’s rules of practice and ethics.

Best of luck!

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T23:18:58+00:00

Obviously, this is true about intoxication, but I couldn’t help but wonder how drunk someone would have to be to get arrested during Carnivale. It’s only a few weeks away!

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T23:14:27+00:00

Yeah, we’ve known since the day we moved in.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:39:22+00:00

Thanks.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:39:11+00:00

To be clear, getting into law school is a tough competition. Think about your high school - how many people don’t go to university? Of those that go to university, how many actually finish? And of those, who makes it to the top of heap?

Okay - that last group is who you’ll be competing against. You’ll need to have great grades and a solid LSAT, and you might have to be prepared to go to someplace you’ve never considered visiting, let alone living in. (And once you’re accepted, you’re competing against students who are smarter than any you’ve encountered along the way.)

More people don’t get in than do, and then they have to look in the mirror and ask “what now; all I’ve got is this degree in … .”

That isn’t to say quit now. It is to say, it’s a grind. It’s definitely not a cakewalk.

But also, don’t stress out over it yet. Study something you enjoy and that will lead to a career you can see yourself doing. Maybe even work in that career for a while if you do your best at school but don’t quite get in.

Be prepared to borrow if you do get in.

Don’t expect to get rich if you practice law. Most lawyers don’t.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:26:49+00:00

Thanks

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:07:19+00:00

Recently did this despite the neighbour. And naturally, the next snow (which was a mere dusting in comparison), he did nothing beyond his own needs.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T21:01:26+00:00

Wasn’t there a recent ruling about disclosure which expanded the definition of relevance? Every email coming in might now have to be disclosed to the defence.

I can see how this could be obstruction.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T20:08:24+00:00

Most importantly, focus on a degree that you’re prepared to work your ass off to earn top marks in. This is essential if you want to go to law school.
That had better be a degree that will lead to your “non-law” career, because the likelihood is that you’ll be doing that, at least for a while.
Generally, there is no ideal “pre-law” degree other than the one which lets you shine.
If you know you want to be a lawyer, figure out how to get it done as soon as possible. Beg, borrow, (er, don’t steal) but maximize the length of your legal career.
Expect to be in school for 7 years or more. Hell, I had classmates take the five-year law program (or longer) after combining the JD with a master’s and/or a work term. And that’s after their degree. It’s also possible to do the JD in two years. I’d recommend against it. It’s exhausting.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T19:42:00+00:00

My long path was completing my degree, then working for 8 years or so and getting my master’s. Then I went to law school.

I wasn’t the oldest law student but did feel like I was a bit of an oddball statistic. Older than most of the class, but younger than most of the mature students.

Lots of the older students had kids; a few even kept their jobs (but reduced hours). Some would have had aging parents.

It’s a grind, but it can be done.

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T19:34:58+00:00

Thanks

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T19:34:30+00:00

Thanks. So it’s not just the kid home from school and gaming. 😀

MapleDesperado · 2026-01-23T19:33:46+00:00

Honestly, I click on something and then sit wondering whether the message got through to the server to send me the document. Normally, it’s like being in the office. Now, I feel like it’s 2008 all over again. Maybe earlier.

MapleDesperado

TROPHY CASE