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| Connor Baillie |
My personal experience in navigating full-time work and studying to become a lawyer
During my articling term at Epstein & Associates, I learned quickly that balancing full-time work at a busy law firm while studying for the Ontario barrister and solicitor exams was going to be challenging. I was getting hands-on experience in civil litigation and family law, and taking on a lot of substantive work, while commuting close to three hours each day. The commute alone forced me to be very intentional with the time I had left.
Due to my weekdays being packed, I had to be disciplined with the little time that was available. I spent my weeknight evenings studying in shorter but focused sessions and saved my longer study blocks for the weekends. I relied heavily on creating and following a study schedule, mostly to hold myself accountable and make sure nothing slipped through the cracks. I also made sure to give myself enough time to work through practice questions well before exam day, which helped build confidence and routine.
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I was fortunate to have the support and advice of the lawyers I worked with. Many of them had gone through the licensing process themselves and were happy to share what worked for them. Their guidance made the entire experience feel much more manageable. The mentorship I received during this time was both invaluable and crucial to not only my growth, but also to the benefit of the firm (which I will expand on later).
One recommendation I always give to anyone preparing for these exams is to take the day before the exam off, and the day after as well. You do not realize how mentally draining the exam is until you finish it, and having that buffer on both sides makes a world of difference.
Now that I am an associate lawyer at Epstein & Associates, the same firm where I articled and wrote both exams, I look back and appreciate what this period taught me. Balancing work, studying, commuting and learning new practice areas was not easy, but it helped shape my work habits, my resilience and my approach to the profession. It was a demanding but very meaningful experience.
Why this matters for practising lawyers
Time management is not just a survival tool for students; it is critical for lawyers at every stage of practice. For full-time lawyers, the demands of client work, court deadlines and business development often compete for attention. Without intentional time management, it’s easy to fall into reactive patterns that lead to burnout and missed opportunities. Building structured habits, like prioritizing tasks, setting boundaries and scheduling uninterrupted work blocks, can improve efficiency and reduce stress, ultimately benefiting both the lawyer and their clients. I found that my time of balancing studying and working helped refine my time management skills, and by the time I became a full-time lawyer, I was competent in a crucial yet underappreciated skill in order to succeed as a practising lawyer.
The role of mentorship in sustained growth
I touched on previously in this article how the mentorship I received not only benefited me, but also my employer and colleagues I worked with during my time (and continue to do so). Lawyers who actively mentor and provide meaningful opportunities to articling students are making an investment in their own future. When students are trusted with substantive work and supported through the licensing process, they develop into confident, capable lawyers who are ready to contribute from day one after being called to the bar. This creates a pipeline of talent that understands your firm’s culture, systems and expectations, saving time on training and reducing turnover. In short, empowering students now means having ready-made lawyers later, which is a strategic advantage for any practice.
Long-term payoff
Lawyers who master these skills often see tangible benefits: better work-life balance, higher productivity and stronger client relationships. Time management and mentoring aren’t just about getting through the day, they’re about building a sustainable career. By adopting these practices early and refining them over time, lawyers position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive and demanding legal landscape.
Closing
The discipline I developed and the guidance I received didn’t just help me pass exams, they made me a stronger lawyer. And for the mentors who gave me real responsibility, the payoff is clear: when students are set up to succeed, firms gain ready teammates at call.
Connor Baillie is an associate lawyer at Epstein & Associates, having been called to the Ontario bar in October 2025 and employed at the firm since April 2024.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.
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