Young Lawyers & The Business of Law : What We Need to Know

March 22, 2025 | 10 min

One of the biggest factors shaping a young lawyer’s transition from articling to practice is who they learn from. The lawyer I work for has a structured and organized approach to managing her caseload, and seeing this system in action has given me confidence in handling multiple files, court appearances, and deadlines. However, conversations with newly called lawyers—particularly those starting out as sole practitioners—have shown me a very different perspective. Many of them express concern about expanding their client base or practice areas, not not due to a lack knowledge, but because they fear becoming overwhelmed by the workload, especially with managing in-person court appearances.

While many new lawyers fear an unmanageable workload, my fear is the opposite: Will I have enough work to sustain a practice?

Having observed an efficient system for managing files, scheduling court dates, and staying on top of client matters, I know that the workload itself is manageable with the right structure in place. Instead, as a young lawyer, my concern is attracting enough clients. While legal aid panels and duty counsel work provide some opportunities, they are limited to family, criminal, and immigration law. This leaves those seeking private clients or working in other practice areas to navigate client development on their own, raising the question: how do young lawyers outside these fields successfully establish a client base?

This is where mentorship from experienced lawyers becomes invaluable. Many aspects of the articling experience are objective and remain consistent regardless of who teaches you. However, the business side of law can vary significantly depending on who you work for. Many young lawyers receive little guidance on the business side of law—how to attract and retain clients, build a professional network, and develop a practice that is sustainable in the long term. Without these insights, new lawyers may either struggle to take on enough work or become overwhelmed by taking on too much without the right systems in place.

As I continue on my own journey, I have found immense value in discussing these topics with both fellow young lawyers and senior practitioners. I encourage lawyers at all levels to share their experiences—what they wish they had known, what worked for them, and how they’ve adapted to an evolving profession. By sharing insights across generations, we can better prepare new lawyers for long-term success in the profession.

As I navigate the transition from law school to legal practice, I have realized how many pressing questions young lawyers face—questions that are not always covered in formal education or training. To help bridge this gap, I am launching Ask & Answer on my website, a space dedicated to compiling and exploring common challenges faced by new lawyers. While I actively research these topics, I recognize that the most valuable insights often come from those who have already navigated these challenges firsthand.

I invite anyone with knowledge, advice, or answers to the questions posted in my column to contribute and share their expertise. Your experience could be the guidance a new lawyer needs to take their next step with confidence.