Career Mirror -- by Tom Babin and David Ross

The life of a lawyer in Canada is a bit like that of a good, but unlucky bank robber. Both occupations require long hours, weekend work, a lot of preparation time, and can involve a lot of time spent in front of a judge. Lawyers, however, no longer have to wear wigs on their heads, whereas a lot of bank robbers still choose to put pantyhose on theirs.

Lawyers have one of the most romanticized, yet criticized careers in society. Despite giving blondes a run for title of being the brunt of the most jokes, lawyers perform one of the most fundamental and important roles in Canada's legal system. It is a job, however, that demands long hours, challenging work and a heap of responsibility.

"My interests in politics, government and human rights combined with my love of a good debate led me to consider a career as a lawyer," said Robert Haslam, a criminal and civil litigator in Calgary, who got his degree from the University of Calgary. The demands of the program, and the competition for admission, continue to make law school one of the toughest to be accepted into. Haslam said successful applicants usually have an undergraduate degree with good marks, usually in the high "B" range, a high score on the LSAT test and a history of community service, volunteer activity and relevant employment.

Three years of school await those accepted into law school. "In addition to attending lectures, there is a never-ending pile of textbooks and case law that must be read," Haslam said. "In many law classes an entire course grade comes from a single 100 per cent final exam."

After law school, students work with another lawyer or firm for a year before they can practice law. Articles, as this phase is called, earn students valuable experience, and, perhaps even more valuable, a paycheck. Upon completion, another round of tests is administered and graduates can then be called to the Bar, which means they can legally practice law.

Depending on their interests, lawyers can practice many different types of law, in different environments. Lawyers can work solo, in a firm or for a bank or corporation. Some lawyers prefer barrister work, which includes both criminal and civil litigation, because it involves a lot of time in a courtroom, whereas some become solicitors to concentrate more on drafting contracts and business law.

Haslam said he enjoys being a criminal and civil litigator because every day is different. Though his days often run over 8 hours, and he works a lot of weekends preparing for the courtroom, Haslam said he enjoys dealing with new people and situations constantly. "Some days are spent totally in court, others totally behind my desk, but most days are a mix of both," he said. "Long hours seems to be the number one complaint among lawyers about their chosen career."

The money and prestige that follow lawyers are seldom exaggerated. Starting salaries are normally about $30,000 a year and top lawyers can earn over $100,000, but Haslam said that shouldn't be the motivation for anyone entering the profession. "Those who are not attracted to the profession for the intellectual stimulation it offers and the chance to right wrongs or make a difference in the world soon become disillusioned and quit," he said.

Lawyers are in a unique position in society because the work they do has a direct impact on the law and, therefore, on the lives of everyone in society. Many might find such a responsibility daunting, but Haslam says, "for those with a passion for justice, it can be a very satisfying career."