Episode 9 - Colena Der (Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP)

Listen to the full podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Colena Der, a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, shares her perspective on anxiety, how to reach out when you are overwhelmed and of course, the OCI / recruit process. We went deep right from the start and we’re so grateful to have Colena on the show.

————————

Colena started the podcast by acknowledging the reality of stress and anxiety in the legal profession. The environment of law is one with a high volume of work, long hours, coupled with complicated questions and transactions. Since law makes demands on your time, energy and focus, inevitably, anxiety will arise. And the best way to deal with it is to talk about it. 

While the standard of perfection in law can be stress-inducing, progressing in your career requires management strategies for anxiety. Students can be encouraged that almost always, the first work product that is returned back to you will be filled with red marks - but this is simply because perfection does not happen in a day. Managing stressors in your legal practice becomes part of the toolkit you will develop throughout your career.

Another key takeaway from Colena is to find a support network both inside and outside your firm - a network where you can feel comfortable to acknowledge your breaking points and voice them out. Being able to acknowledge that “I am stressed” or “I am overwhelmed” is catharsis in itself. For students or lawyers looking for external networks, the CBA offers support programs and most law societies offer support networks to deal with these particular issues. Having both inside and outside support can give you a diverse and balanced perspective.

Colena is also the co-chair of the student committee at Osler, and she graciously shared her insights to help students navigate the OCI process. While OCI’s can be stressful, assessing the strategy of the firm recruitment process can help with the anxiety. First, every firm is different in how they interview and assess students - so knowing your resume inside and out and being able to explain how your prior experience translates into skills helpful to the legal profession will help with the flow of the conversation. Second, students often have “imposter syndrome”, and can discredit themselves before even coming in. However, the firm gave you an OCI because they thought you have the credentials to earn the spot. So remind yourself that they see potential in you. Third, be yourself because part of the decision to choose a firm requires you to assess whether this firm is the right place for you to begin your legal career. Being yourself makes it easier to make an assessment for both you and the firm on whether this is the right firm for you. Lastly, note that firms have certain core values which they will apply to their criteria on who will be a good long-term fit for the firm. Each firm is different, and they prioritize attributes differently. 

Ultimately, destigmatizing anxiety in the legal profession requires open dialogue. As we work to create an environment where people feel comfortable enough to express their anxiety, we acknowledge the problem. Once we admit there is a problem, we can then move to the next phase of reducing anxiety in the profession. Colena says is succinctly “Saying that you are overwhelmed is not self-commentary on your ability to be a good lawyer.” 

Q: If you were to write a letter to yourself when you first started practicing law, what would you say in that letter?

Take a lot of deep breaths. You will get through this. There will be a lot of new challenges that you never expected, but a lot of learnings that you never expected. Take a deep breath and take it in strife. Don’t let the noise overwhelm you.

❖ ❖ ❖

At Beyond the A, we understand that anxiety and mental health is a serious issue. While we do not purport to be experts, our mission is to open up the conversation and provide you with the tools and resources to excel in your career and beyond. If you are seeking immediate help, please contact a healthcare professional or access our resources page.  

Given the sensitivity of the topic, we are always open to further conversation about it.  Email us at info@beyondthea.co and someone from our team will get back to you.