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.
Sep 19, 2025
When I was in my third year of law school, 1L and 2L students constantly asked me two things:
- “Do you have an outline I could use?” and…
- “What courses should I take next year?”
The first one was easy (yes, I do). The second one? Much harder. My advice usually depended on which classes I did well in, or which professors I liked, not necessarily which courses would be the most useful later.
Now, I have come to realize how valuable it is to take courses that actually relate to your future practice. There are the obvious ones (like Wills & Estates or Trusts), and the not so obvious.
With a 2L summer and the first weeks of articling behind me, here are the courses that have been most helpful for my work in estate litigation so far:
1. Civil Procedure
This is where you learn the nuts and bolts of litigation: the differences between a motion and an application, counting days for court deadlines, different avenues to get a case dismissed, all that jazz. This course is most likely mandatory for all law students, but this is just an extra reminder to really pay attention to the content if you want to pursue litigation.
Taking this course is not a guarantee that you’ll become a pro at the Rules of Civil Procedure. In fact, one of my favourite professors told me that he’s been reading the same Rules (or similar iterations of it) for decades, and always finds new things in the same old places.
The takeaway here is that procedure can matter just as much as substance for your case, and a basic understanding of procedure can put you miles ahead.
2. Real Estate Law
Estates often consist of real property, and Estate Lit could involve fighting about that property, who owns it, how much of it, who is entitled to which parts, etc. You may deal with disputes regarding cottages, condos, farmland, family homes, and there are distinct legal considerations for each type of real property.
Learning how to read and decipher an Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS), a parcel register and even a Trust Ledger in law school means one less thing to panic-Google when you end up having to do it in the course of your file. This could come up in a myriad of ways, such as checking a property’s ownership or reviewing accounts.
3. Negotiation
Most estate disputes settle, whether in the regular course of the file or at mediation. A negotiation course helps you understand your own client and the opposing party’s interests versus positions. Through practice, this course may also equip you to think outside of the box and prepare creative offers that actually get results.
Learning to identify your client’s BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement) and separating their “must haves” versus the “nice to have” results will help you guide clients toward decisions that are cost effective, efficient, and satisfactory.
4. Tax Law
I took a tax course, and yes it was difficult, but the gain was worth the pain (at least that’s what I’m telling myself to cope with having to suffer through the General Anti-avoidance Rule…).
But in truth, every estate issue has tax implications: there’s the obvious estate administration tax, but there’s also underlying tax consequences to each piece of advice you give clients on their estate problems.
Even a basic understanding of tax law can improve client service as it enables us to spot which tax issues are purely within our expertise, and which require tax lawyers or accountants.
No Singular Course Prepares You
No law school course will prepare you for everything. There’s no class on gathering facts and filling in gaps of information, or parsing through hundreds of pages of medical records just hoping you’ll find something relevant to your argument, but the ones mentioned gave me a solid foundation to try my best at work.
Fara Seddigh
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.
