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CCCA_V2No3_GrassGreener-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_DriversSeat-FIN.qxd 9/18/08 3:04 PM Page 34 Feature “There is something very energizing about being called upon is, competition is everywhere, and every successful person I know to solve some of the most complex problems an organization works hard, period. It doesn’t matter whether you are in-house or faces — and being able to help,” Guest says. in private practice anymore,” says Guest. Guest isn’t finding it difficult to pick up the substantive law Chung ended up working very similar hours when she moved to and practice skills he didn’t need at Fidelity. And with all his CIBC. On top of that, she missed the flexibility of private practice. in-house contacts, he’s optimistic that he’ll quickly build up a While you might work through the night on a particular deal when thriving practice. you’re at a law firm, she points out, you can take that time off later. “I think that there will be increasing opportunities for this kind And despite the fact she was in-house, she still had to docket. of cross-flow between the two sectors,” he predicts. “Everyone Livermore found in-house work as demanding as private prac- benefits when each side has a better understanding of the other.” tice, but without the same degree of go-go-go urgency. “It’s not the unending, unceasing pressure on every file to be done tomor- Myths and misconceptions row,” he says. While attitudes are changing, misconceptions still abound. So Conversely, taking a law firm position doesn’t have to mean does a private practice job really demand an 80-hour work saying goodbye to “work/life balance.” Marner, who has a wife week, or does a move in-house spell an end to legal ambition? and two children, was pleasantly surprised by the attitudes at In a nutshell, no. Fraser Milner. “I haven’t had to sacrifice any of my personal life When it comes to hours and stress levels, in-house might offer in order to do what I like doing,” he says. a slightly easier ride — but don’t count on it. “I think the reality Then there’s the question of money. It used to be that if you Martin Guest Partner Torys, Toronto MARK STEGAL 34 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association FALL 2008