This document discusses becoming a law firm partner and the challenges that Aboriginal lawyers face in achieving partnership. It notes that Aboriginal lawyers remain underrepresented among law firm partners. It also notes that the attrition rate of law students and graduates becoming practitioners and eventually partners is very low. Achieving a partnership requires a tremendous commitment of long hours and client focus that does not work for many Aboriginal lawyers who have other priorities. The document questions whether the effort of becoming a partner is worth the gain and discusses what it takes to achieve a partnership, such as business development and bringing in clients.

1. April 30, 2016
MERLE – NOMAD & PARTNER
PARTNERS R US

2. • 2001 call – BC, ON, Yukon
• Shareholder - Boughton: 2005-2010
• Income Partner – Bull Housser – 2010-2013
• Income Partner – Gowlings – 2013…
2
NOMADIC PARTNER

3. • No – Aboriginal lawyers remain a super-minority in the
ethnic diversity of Partners in law firms, especially in
regional, national or international
• Law Student to Graduate to Practitioner to Partner attrition is
tremendously abysmal
• Life imbalance req’d to make partner (i.e., work/clients first, long
hours and travel) does not work for most Aboriginal practitioners that
simply have greater priorities
• No conscious effort to take affirmative action to encourage law firms
to have racial, ethnic and religious equity among the partnerships
• Without affirmative action, only incremental change can occur
ARE WE JOINING LAW FIRM PARTNERSHIPS?
3

4. • You gotta bring the money, honey
• Bill, bill, bill
• Clients, clients, clients
• Business development
• Trifecta buys an invite to the perceived powerful
big kid table
• How much determined by size of firm book
WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
4

5. • Depends on the firm ratio of partners/associates
• Depends on if there is a division between income partners and
equity partners
• Income partners – no skinny in the firm ownership, less
influence, only vote on fundamental decisions, partner in name
• Equity partners – equity buy in for partnership units, power to
vote on all key decisions
• Universally, there is a degree of influence, management and
prestige that comes with partnership… at least with some
associates and clients
WHAT DOES BEING A PARTNER BUY YOU?
5

6. • Yes... Almost every day
• Becoming partners are milestones in our careers and
students and associates should know it is achievable
• Breaking through the glass ceiling should not be
easily dispelled
• We can only change this conservative thinking by
bringing our progressive mindfulness
• “Prosperity tries the fortunate, adversity the
great”
IS THE EFFORT WORTH THE GAIN?
6

7. QUESTIONS?
604.340.4710
7