FLEX LEGAL NETWORK
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Services
    • Our Fees
    • FAQs
  • Our Team
    • Join US
    • Our Management
    • General Litigation & Legal Research Lawyers
    • Corporate/Commercial & Business Lawyers
    • Wills & Estates Lawyers
    • Labour & Employment Lawyers
    • Family Lawyers
    • Criminal Lawyers
    • Immigration Lawyers
    • Freelance Paralegals
    • Freelance Law Clerks
  • Hire US
  • Resources
    • Blog
  • Contact Us

Blog.

Where you can read about lawyering, freelancing, and other legal news ​
Hire a Freelancer Today

My Journey to Becoming a Freelance Lawyer by Lauren Heuser

11/1/2016

 
This is the fifth post in our series "How I became a Freelance Lawyer" by our Flex Lawyers. Today's post is by Lauren Heuser:
 
I have always loved reading and writing. It’s the reason I chose to do an undergraduate degree in English Literature and one of the reasons I chose to pursue a career in law. And heaven knows law school provided ample opportunity to do both.
 
Following law school, I articled and practiced at a Bay Street law firm for a few years. I learned a lot from the experience and really enjoyed it. But during this time, I also became very interested in journalism. In particular, I became aware that a number of journalists who I admired had transitioned from law to journalism, including Nicholas Kristof, the Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist; Jeffrey Toobin, legal writer for The New Yorker; David Frum, senior editor at The Atlantic, and Jonathan Kay, now editor-in-chief at The Walrus.
 
I was inspired by these writers to try a similar career path. I’m not sure, though, that I would have mustered the courage to leave my job had I not met Robert Steiner, the Director of a Journalism Fellowship at the University of Toronto, Munk School of Global Affairs. Rob had recently launched a journalism fellowship at the school that is geared towards individuals who are already professionals in some other discipline, and who are interested in writing on their area of expertise. I fit the bill completely. 
 
I left my firm to participate in this eight-month fellowship. The fellowship provided a great training on how to communicate complex ideas to a public audience in crisp, interesting language. During this period, I began writing weekly columns for the National Post – something I continue to do to this day.
 
However, from the beginning of my foray into journalism, I always knew I wanted to keep one foot in the legal world. Writing is a solitary activity, which often expresses big ideas, and which can have an uncertain impact on the real world. By comparison, legal practice involves working with others, referring to established rules and processes, and delivering concrete outcomes. I knew I didn’t want to give up the latter, but I also knew I needed a flexible legal practice. Joining Flex Legal Network has provided a great opportunity to find this balance. As a member of this team, I have flexibility and freedom to develop as a writer while also serving clients’ needs.



Comments are closed.
    2022 Canadian Law Blog Awards Winner

    Categories

    All
    Blog Series: Starting Your Own Firm
    Book Reviews
    Case Comments
    Ethics Of Freelance Lawyering
    Flex In Print (News/Publications)
    Freelance Lawyering
    Law (General)
    Law Society
    Networking Events
    Personal Management & Wellbeing



    SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER & HAVE THESE ARTICLES SENT DIRECTLY TO YOU:
Flex Legal Network Inc.
We are freelance lawyers and paralegals helping lawyers with their overflow legal work. 

Contact

Email: info@flexlegalnetwork.com
Main Phone: 647.250.9292

Quick Links

Join Our Network
Hire a Freelancer
Meet Our Lawyers
Free Delegation Guide
Members Only Page

Help & Info

​Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Our Commitment to Anti-Racism
​
Contact Us
​Frequently Asked Questions
Flex Legal acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
​With freelancers working and living coast to coast to coast, we acknowledge the ancestral and unceded territory of all the Inuit, Métis, and First Nations people that call this land home.

Disclaimer: Flex Legal Network Inc. ("Flex Legal") is not a law firm and does not perform legal services.   The information provided in this website should not be construed as legal advice. Transmission of information from this website is not intended to create, and its receipt does not constitute a solicitor-client relationship with Flex Legal or any of its individual network lawyers or personnel. Use of Flex Legal services does not establish a solicitor-client relationship. If you use our website or services you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

​
(C) 2015-2023 Flex Legal Network Inc. All rights reserved. "Flex Legal Network", "Flex Legal", & "Flex" are all registered trademarks of Flex Legal Network Inc.
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Services
    • Our Fees
    • FAQs
  • Our Team
    • Join US
    • Our Management
    • General Litigation & Legal Research Lawyers
    • Corporate/Commercial & Business Lawyers
    • Wills & Estates Lawyers
    • Labour & Employment Lawyers
    • Family Lawyers
    • Criminal Lawyers
    • Immigration Lawyers
    • Freelance Paralegals
    • Freelance Law Clerks
  • Hire US
  • Resources
    • Blog
  • Contact Us