Erin talks Mentorship and Taking Risks

Erin Brandt for the Canadian Bar Association

PortaLaw’s cofounder, Erin, is a member at large with the Employment Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch). She spoke with the Canadian Bar Association about the challenges around being a lawyer and business owner at the same time, leaning on your mentors, and taking risks.

Brandt says that lawyers who run their own law firms need to ensure they are thinking like business owners as well as lawyers. 

"For some people, it's about working on their files and practising law, and the business comes second. But I think it's also important to invest in the running of the business to ensure that you have the right supports in place — whether that be administrative support or mentors — to enable you to be successful," she says.

If any lawyers are thinking about starting a law firm, Brandt recommends they "just do it. If it fails, you can do something else. If it succeeds, it's an incredible adventure to be on."

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