Nov 4, 2025
The first few months of law school can feel overwhelming. I remember worrying about moving to a new city, establishing friendships, and adapting to a teaching style that was completely different from anything I had experienced before. Adding extracurricular commitments to an already full schedule was the last thing on my mind.
Yet, it felt like everyone around me was enthusiastically joining clubs and activities. Not wanting to get left behind, I somewhat-reluctantly followed suit. Looking back, deciding to get involved was one of the most valuable decisions I made in law school.
Here are some of the benefits:
Networking and Mentorship
Getting involved outside of class gave me plenty of opportunities to meet other students, professors and practicing lawyers. This was a game-changer because I quickly learned that upper-year students are the best resource for outlines, study tips, and advice about second and third-year courses. It was also great to connect with practicing lawyers because they offered firsthand insights into their areas of practice and daily work. Some of these relationships have turned into ongoing support networks that have become a huge asset now that I’ve started my career.
Discovering Different Types of Law
During my second year of law school, I joined the Queen’s Elder Law Clinic (“QELC”) as a student caseworker, where I drafted Wills and Power of Attorney documents for older adults in the Kingston area. This experience introduced me to estate litigation – a field I immediately connected with, and one that I wish had received more attention in my first-year courses. Thanks to this introduction, I applied to (and now work at) Casey & Moss, a firm that exclusively practices in the area of Estates and Trusts. Without my involvement at the QELC, I’m not sure if I would have ended up working in an area that I’m so passionate about.
Developing Practical Skills
During my first year, I spent time mooting (a type of simulated court for students to practice oral advocacy). This provided a fantastic introduction to courtroom procedure, legal research and writing, and developing persuasive oral arguments. At the QELC, I learned essential skills like time docketing, effective client communication, and how to prioritize urgent tasks. These practical abilities made the transition from student to lawyer much smoother and remain integral to my daily work.
Demonstrating Genuine Interest
While interviewing for jobs, I was initially concerned about standing out among other candidates. However, much of my interview time was spent discussing the things I did outside of the classroom. In hindsight, this makes a lot of sense. Law firms, particularly those specializing in niche practice areas, are looking for students who are genuinely interested in the type of law they practice. Participating in related clubs, clinics, and moots is one of the best ways to display an authentic interest in a given field.
Getting involved in law school helps you build skills, meet people, and find out what really interests you. Even if it feels overwhelming at first, the connections and experiences you gain will stick with you well beyond graduation and can make a big difference as you start your career.
Colleen Dowling
Nothing contained in this post constitutes legal advice or establishes a solicitor-client relationship. If you have any questions regarding your legal rights or legal obligations, you should consult a lawyer.
Apr 11, 2025
If you’re gearing up to write the Ontario Bar Exam, you might be feeling a little anxious or overwhelmed. You’re not alone. These materials are notoriously dense, and these exams require a unique kind of preparation compared to traditional law school exams. Here are some tips to help you stay focused, stay sane, and ultimately, pass.
Organize Your Materials and Supplies
Most candidates are responsible for printing their own materials, so your first decision will be how you choose to organize them. Some test-takers use binders, but I chose to coil-bind each subject into its own booklet. This tends to be the most common method, as the smaller booklets are lighter and easier to flip through.
Once you’ve handled the printing, you’ll need to purchase tabs and multi-coloured highlighters. However many highlighters you think you’ll need, double it. Then create a highlighting system that makes sense to you. For example, many candidates highlight limitation periods in a distinct colour.
It’s best to print and organize your materials right away because unless you’re under a severe time crunch, it’s better to do all of your reading on the printed pages rather than on a PDF. This way you can highlight and tab important pages as you go.
Make a Study Schedule
This will be trickier than you think, especially if you’re writing both exams back-to-back.
First, you need to determine how much solicitor material you’d like to cover before writing the barrister exam. This is a double-edged sword: the more you cover in advance, the less fresh it will be in your mind on exam day. However, it would be highly inadvisable (and in my view, practically impossible) to try and cover all of the solicitor material in the two-week period between the two exams. Find a healthy balance.
Then, you’ll need to calculate how many pages you need to read per day. This material is incredibly dense, so try not to pick an unmanageable goal. You’ll want to build in flexibility for slower reading days and faster reading days. Based on the courses you took in law school and your general interest in different areas, some subjects will take a lot more time to get through.
Finally, decide how many days you want to leave at the end for practice (more on this below).
Read the Materials
Be prepared to spend several weeks per exam reading through these materials. Try to stick to your study schedule, but don’t hesitate to adjust it as needed.
This will be challenging. It’s easy to forget to prioritize your well-being, but no one does their best work when they’re exhausted. As you go through these materials, make sure to sleep, eat well, exercise, and take breaks. Keep in touch with supportive friends and family members and don’t put your mental health on the back burner.
Practice Practice Practice
Carve out several days (or more) in your study schedule for practice exams. This will be the most important part of your preparation. You will want to do these in the days leading up to the test, after you’ve read all of the material.
The time crunch on these exams is intense, so practice under timed conditions as much as possible. This will also help you develop time-saving strategies. Knowing when to move on from a question, even if you’re not completely sure about your answer, is an invaluable skill.
Write the Exam
Just like any other exam, make sure to sleep well the night before, eat a balanced breakfast and, above all else, arrive early. Review the LSO website in detail on arrival times and permissible items. Bring a good snack or two.
Finally, remember: you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be prepared.
Colleen Dowling
Nothing contained in this post constitutes legal advice or establishes a solicitor-client relationship. If you have any questions regarding your legal rights or legal obligations, you should consult a lawyer.
Jan 17, 2025
Small talk as an articling student is predictable. Without fail, conversations with lawyers go something like this:
Them: “So how are you finding articling so far?”
Me: “I’m really enjoying it!”
Them: “Great! How many other students are at your firm?”
Me: “I’m actually the only student!”
Them: “Really?!? What’s that like???”
Usually, I’m pretty brief, but if I were to give a long answer, I’d say:
Problem-Solving Skills
Unfortunately, being a student means I have dumb questions…a LOT of dumb questions. Although admittedly, I’ve had days where I wished there was another student for me to run my question by before escalating, I’ve learned how to triage. Dumb questions can be split up into three categories: (1) figure it out myself, (2) ask a law clerk, (3) ask a lawyer. I was shocked to discover how many questions fell into the first category after a few minutes of searching. Google is the best. This triage system has also given me the chance to work closely with Casey & Moss’s incredible law clerks. Their patience with me as I learn the ropes has been nothing short of saintly.
Lots of Invites
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as too many people on a Zoom call. Although “the more the merrier” applies sometimes, it isn’t always appropriate to have several students attend a court appearance. Because I’m the only student at Casey & Moss, every time a lawyer is working on an interesting file, I’m the only one on the invite list. If there were more students, our invitations would sometimes have to be spread out. I’ve only been articling for a few months and have already had the opportunity to observe motions, cross-examinations, mediations, and even a trial!
Relationships With Students at Other Firms
Articling as the only student at my firm has also pushed me out of my comfort zone socially. I’ll be the first to acknowledge how fun it is to talk about articling with someone who is also currently articling. It’s even better when the student is working in the same area of law. Luckily, the lawyers at Casey & Moss have brought me along to many networking events, so I’ve had the opportunity to connect with a number of students working in estates. Because of this, I’ve made many friends that I might not have otherwise taken the time to get to know.
So, if you’re a student considering sending an application to a small firm – it’s not as scary as you might think. In fact, I highly recommend it.
Colleen Dowling
Nothing contained in this post constitutes legal advice or establishes a solicitor-client relationship. If you have any questions regarding your legal rights or legal obligations, you should consult a lawyer.
