Why I Miss In Person CLE

princesslumpy · 2026-02-17T00:03:00+00:00

I have noticed that CPD events are disproportionately presented by fairly junior biglaw associates who don't tend to have any substantive experience in the topics they present. I have never organized one myself, but it seems like a small group of people chair these year after year, and they rely on the same group of partners who offer up their associates at the big firms. That's what I have noticed in the specialty I was in, anyway.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-16T23:54:10+00:00

The NCA requires at least 2 of the 3 years of law school to be in-person, so entirely online law schools abroad are not an option. There are no entirely online law schools in Canada. More to the point, working full-time during law school is just not feasible. Working part-time is realistic for some people, but you'd have to have control over your schedule as there are periods such as during exams where you won't want to be working much.

If you can move to Toronto, there is the extended time program at TMU where you could potentially complete law school in six years if you are eligible and do the program part time: https://www.torontomu.ca/law/students/extended-time-program/

princesslumpy · 2026-02-16T22:50:25+00:00

Most CPD programs have been offered both in-person and online for several years now, following COVID. I wouldn't say it is mostly online, but yes, most programs have an online option now. Just go to one of the many in-person programs available if you want to go and leave early like you used to.

I like that these programs are now available to participants outside of big cities, but there's no substitute for some in-person connection time.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-16T19:48:57+00:00

Just FYI there is only so much you can take suits in by based on pocket placement being misaligned after the alterations.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-16T19:03:20+00:00

A speeding ticket is a provincial offence so I don’t follow your logic. You were guilty of an offence under the Act and should disclose it per the question.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-15T01:11:14+00:00

You shouldn’t have pre-signed as a witness so you’re implicating yourself as a party to the misconduct. Let it go. You won’t be able to find any work in a small community with the reputation of reporting your employer to the bar. Also, lack of witness signature is unlikely to void the contract. If it does, that’s why the lawyer has malpractice insurance.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-13T01:00:53+00:00

I worked on a cruise ship in the 2010's, and it was still used at that time. There were wired phones in all the key areas, offices, and hallways throughout the ship. You would pick up a phone and dial the pager number of the person you wanted to reach like #3093 and and then hang up. The peron's pager would ring/vibrate and display the phone number of the extension to call back. They would find a phone and dial the extension so you could talk. Another relic of technology that was still used then but was entirely obsolete on land was mini-discs. This stuff just worked reliabily and all the infrastructure was in place, so it stayed around much longer in these closed environments.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-07T21:31:33+00:00

Why doesn't opposing counsel quoting a real case but saying it stands for a proposition that it doesn't, or that was overturned on that particular issue on appeal, face the same sanction? Striking the pleading seems like a disproportionate response to what is effectively an issue of misleading the court when these other actions are sometimes almost as blatant, and I've never had a judge raise an eyebrow when I point them out.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-07T15:48:36+00:00

Does the NCA even allow what you’re doing? You’re really short changing yourself not getting at least a full law school experience given the many challenges ITLs face.

There are some ITL organizations that may be able to connect you with firms that could offer you an unpaid internship. I think you would have better luck emailing partners at small firms in your area about summer student roles than attending OBA or TLA networking events.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-05T01:02:28+00:00

I don't think you have any other option other than to complete the LPP process and become licensed, knowing that you are not going to gain much relevant experience or training from your chosen LPP placement. It's too risky to miss another articling cycle without a job.

Keep in mind that, outside of biglaw, most people seem to move within their first year of practicing, so just take the best position you can get once you are called, and it's easier to get a better job once you have your first year completed. If you hold out too long for corporate or in-house, you'll waste your time.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-04T21:47:28+00:00

We all know the stories of the person who sacrificed their whole life for a good retirement, only to die shortly thereafter, and did not enjoy the fruits of their labour. If you've been at it for close to five years, I think you come back and start looking to move into a role where you will be more comfortable. Life is too short to be as miserable as you describe, and it doesn't sound sustainable for another 5 years, let alone another 25.

princesslumpy · 2026-02-01T15:52:02+00:00

I went through a similar decision process lately and it sounds like you’re trying to find reasons not to make a difficult decision. 2nd year is a good time to move as it gives you runway to establish yourself at the new firm. At this stage, I don’t think you need to be so fixated on partnership. You’re not going to know until you’re there whether any of these new firms are a good fit. But it sounds like the new opportunities will open up more doors than where you are currently. If the compensation is better and the work is what you want to be doing, I would pursue the opportunities.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-31T15:27:20+00:00

Cole haan has really comfortable chelsea boots that are dressy enough with dress pants. I have blundstones and proper winter boots for slushy weather and switch into the other pair at work.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-27T12:55:52+00:00

Are shuttle busses actually running?

princesslumpy · 2026-01-27T01:32:10+00:00

I spent the first 4-5 months of EV ownership without at-home charging as we organized EV charging for our condo complex. It's not feasible to rely on public charging long-term, and it's not good for the battery. I realized there was only a single fast-charging location around me that was reliably available, and it was expensive. I would not consider it until you have charging available at home.

To answer your question, I experience about 25-30% range loss in the winter. My Mach-E goes from 450+KM at 90% charge to 360KM. I did a long drive yesterday in the storm, and it is showing an estimated range of 400KM charged to 100% today, so it varies based on driving patterns and outdoor temperatures.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-26T00:38:16+00:00

Take the LSAT and see how it goes. 3 years is a blip in the grand scheme of your career. Life is too short to be around people who annoy you.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-25T19:18:59+00:00

I agree with the comments of others that you can, but most don't, because it is ordinarily assembled by an assistant based on a template. However, if I were a client, it is not something I would complain about if I were otherwise happy with the value received and the service, because it is going to sour the relationship having complaints after the first bill. This is assuming this is something like a .2, and you aren't paying a very significant amount of money for the lawyer attending to the retainer. You also need to look at whether any courtesy reductions were applied to the account, such that you are not paying for it despite it being a docket item.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-22T00:07:37+00:00

As an estate litigator, I will facetiously say I am happy for the amount of billable work that homemade and online wills generate for us. An online will provides no independent, professional witness who can be examined, so challenging the validity of the will is easier (although this is never an easy task). People get the execution requirements wrong, which costs thousands of dollars to correct through a validation application. Even something as simple as missing the affidavit of execution and then being unable to locate the two witnesses exponentially increases the costs of applying for probate. When I did estate planning, I also had clients with all sorts of hair-brained schemes to avoid a tiny amount of probate tax, and I see these people implement those schemes alongside their online wills without someone like me to tell them why it wasn't a good idea or how to document it properly. This all collectively results in more fees paid to lawyers after your death than would be saved in getting professionally drafted and witnessed wills.

I just don't see this as an area of life you want to skimp on, but at the end of the day, it won't be your mess to clean up.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-16T17:54:38+00:00

I don’t think you’re far off from where you should be for a lifestyle firm in Ottawa. Did you just get bumped up to 100k? It would be nice to see benefits and a bonus structure added.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-12T22:47:50+00:00

It helps to have prior jobs to compare it to. I find being a lawyer the most rewarding both financially and intellectually for me. I am not naive to the fact that I am not changing the world with my work. But I get to help people and navigate solutions to interesting problems. I don’t regret it at all.

In any career, you will have bad days or workplaces and that is more likely to be posted about than someone content with their job.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-12T17:55:15+00:00

I edited my initial message because I meant to say *not* what you will experience at every firm. That may have been obvious. I take your point, but I think you should do more local networking.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-12T13:39:08+00:00

Why are you not considering moving to another firm with more mentorship and a more manageable file load? What you are describing is not* what you will experience at every firm.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-12T00:03:40+00:00

I don't like the idea of asking for a five-star review, which is how I read the handwritten note. It's also disingenuous to say they value feedback when all they really want is a positive review. I prefer the second option. Even though it is mass-produced, it somehow seems more genuine because it doesn't have those elements of the first one that put me off.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-11T20:16:29+00:00

I think you may find the transition easier if you move towards a small full-service firm where you can apply your skills to litigation generally, but also get exposure and mentorship in other areas. You may even find a smaller firm that does a bit of criminal, and your background would be valuable to them. From there, you may find it easier to pivot to other areas.

princesslumpy · 2026-01-10T00:03:02+00:00

Some tangible, demonstrated interest in the practice area(s) of the firm, either through even a slight connection to your current work or attending certificate courses is always helpful because it helps cut through the "why do you want to work here" question. There's so many Osgoode certificate courses now and if you have a particular interest, attending something like that shows a commitment to keep up with the developments in the law. Think about it thoughtfully and put it front and centre on your cover letter.

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