Letter to the Editor (VOL. 18, No. 2)
In the April 2006 edition of BarTalk, a letter from Charlie C. Tutt struck a chord in me. Mr. Tutt said that as a junior lawyer he found that most of the articles in BarTalk very negative and depressing. He was wondering if there were any senior lawyers who found their personal/family lives, as well as their practice of law rewarding and fulfilling, or whether he had made a poor career choice.

As a 1983 call living and working in the Kootenays, I would like to emphasize that he made a good career choice – that you can have your cake and eat it too!

I make a good living from my law practice, and I still spend lots of time with my wife, family, and friends. I take lots of holidays and days off, yet most of the time I enjoy my practice and I look forward to going back to work.

As a sole practitioner doing only criminal law, I have more control over my time than most lawyers. Since I can usually schedule cases to fit my calendar, I can take lots of time off. I also “office share” with a good friend who does civil litigation. My relationship with the people I deal with in the court system is good and supportive.

Therefore, Mr. Tutt and younger lawyers who are wondering if they have made a good career choice, I believe the answer is YES. Especially so if you choose an area of law that you enjoy and have some talent in. Deciding on the area of law that suits you is critical. For example, I am hopeless doing wills, estates, real estate, etc., yet I thrive defending people in trouble. If you enjoy what you are doing and honestly try to help people, you should have a happy life, make a reasonable living, and feel good about yourself. I know other lawyers who also are happy with their work.

I hope this letter counter-balances some of the articles in BarTalk Mr. Tutt was commenting on. I invite some other senior lawyers to offer some positive insight on being a lawyer in British Columbia.

– Patrick H. Dearden, PJD

Send your "Letters to the Editor" to bartalk@bccba.org.

This letter was published in the June 2006 issue of BarTalk.