How My Law School Experience Shaped My Practice
I graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1983 - which in some ways feels like yesterday, but is really a long time ago.
I entered law school after two years of undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, where my studies centered on political science and history.
Like for most people who attend university and professional programs in their late teens and early 20s, those were highly impressionable years when we all trying to figure out how we hope and dream that our adult lives will turn out. For me it was no different.
Entering law school in the late summer of 1980, I really didn’t know what to expect, other than what I’d seen in the classic movie, The Paper Chase. An oft-repeated cliché about the law school experience is, “… first year, they scare you to death, in second year they work you to death, and in third year, they bore you to death.”
How The Law School Experience Shaped My Practice
So how did the law school experience shape how I approached the practice of law? The single biggest take-away was wanting to do something with law that would help people, rather than large corporations.
I remember that during first year in law school, the students at Osgoode were invited to an early screening of The Verdict, starring Paul Newman - as an alcoholic, down on his luck litigator, who stumbled across a big medical malpractice case, where he faced the daunting task of taking on the legal army that was defending the hospital and its’ doctors. That film made quite an impact in saying that even against seemingly unbeatable odds, justice could prevail. By making legal services more accessible to the general population, we have done our part to give everyday people a better chance at finding justice in their legal problems.
The Law School Experience Has Evolved
The law school experience has evolved over the years, and it seems that students are now being given more opportunities for experiential programs, which is what drew me to participate as an instructor in the Trial Advocacy Course at Osgoode Hall. That course was on the frontier of providing a more “hands-on” experience and does a good job of preparing young lawyers in developing advocacy skills. From the students I have met over the past 10 years as an Adjunct Professor, I sense that many people still go to law school for two main reasons:
1) to make a good living; and
2) to do meaningful work that can make a difference in peoples’ lives, whether that be in the corporate world or in representing individuals in their legal battles.
It's a privilege to practice the law and help people. Through Share Lawyers, I've spent over 30 years advocating for those with disabilities. Thanks to my beginnings in law school, I have been able to build a life and a business that I am very proud of.
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A note from our long term disability lawyers
Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.
If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.
Our Disability law firm knows what you have been going through
We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.
Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf
Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.
If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.
Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.
In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.