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CCCA_V2No3_GrassGreener-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_DriversSeat-FIN.qxd 9/18/08 3:04 PM Page 36 Feature complexities and challenges. In other cases, in-house lawyers who which I was from 1984 onwards, you don’t really advance much want to stretch themselves might add some business responsibili- within that organization.” ties to their legal workload, or leave the legal department entire- On the other hand, private practice offers more job stability. ly for a senior management role. Rarely does a law firm downsize or go bankrupt, but a number And as Livermore points out, it’s not like there’s that much of corporate counsel found themselves out on the streets when room for promotion in private practice. “You’re either a student the tech bubble burst in 2000. or an associate or a partner,” he says. “Once you’re a partner, MT_CCCA Magazine_v8.qxp 9/18/2008 10:13 AM Page 1 The bottom line The core functions of a lawyer remain the same whether you’re in-house or in private practice: you’re there to provide advice, generate options, and manage risk. What changes is the atmosphere. So if you’re looking to make a switch, decide what will suit you best. “Really investigate why it is you want to leave and make sure you’re doing it for the right reason,” advises Hemmings. If you’re happy working as a team, have a practical mindset and thrive on diversity, in-house could be the way to go. In addition to seeing the results of your work, chances are you’ll enjoy a more predictable schedule. Although the days can be just as long as in pri- vate practice, it’s rare for last-minute issues to deep-six your evening or Ontario Court of Appeal, Osgoode Hall weekend plans. “I haven’t yet had to Are you off to the Court of Appeal? be at the office at midnight,” says Hemmings. “There were a couple of If you are considering whether to appeal a decision, Miller Thomson’s those times when I was in private Appellate Group lawyers can help. The Group comprises senior practice.” litigators with many years of experience in bringing and defending Working in-house often means a appeals at all levels, across Canada. Our lawyers can review the different kind of water cooler chat, decision and identify issues that are worth appealing and provide an especially if you’re the company’s estimate of the cost of the appeal or judicial review. We can co-counsel only lawyer on staff. Hemmings, for with your existing firm or take-over the entire appeal at the higher court. example, loves her business colleagues at Hyundai — “I work with really, For further information contact: really smart people” — but confesses Andrew Roman at 416.595.8604 or aroman@millerthomson.com she does miss the buzz around the water cooler when a major legal deci- sion comes down. On the other hand, if the thought of a big deal gets your adrenalin flow- www.millerthomson.com ing, you may be happiest at a law firm. Private practice also offers more opportunities to explore the intrica- T O R O N T O V A N C O U V E R C A L G A R Y E D M O N T O N L O N D O N K I T C H E N E R - W A T E R L O O G U E L P H M A R K H A M M O N T R É A L cies of legal issues in depth or exercise your litigation chops. 36 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association FALL 2008 CCCA63_036.indd 1 09/19/2008 05:21:43 PM