Unfortunately, the currently poor economy in Canada has put the area of corporate law in somewhat of a downslide versus some other sectors you may want to consider practicing in. If you have your heart set on practicing corporate law, be prepared to take a lower-level and lower paying position such as an assistant until the difficult times ease. The good news is that experts do expect that things will be on the upswing once again, so hang in there if you can. If you're a US lawyer, don't expect it to be easy to your best bet is to find legal work in the US unless you live very close to the border in a city like New York and work for a "big law" firm that does a lot of international Canadian law.
Click Here to Read BCG Attorney Search’s Guide to Corporate and Finance Job Search Categories for More Information.
Options
New graduates especially may opt to out as legal assistants or in other lower-level positions while they wait for the economy and therefore the job market to bounce back.
It also helps to look at what areas are currently growing and what areas are stagnant or even declining. And in fact, corporate law in Canada at present is one of the more stagnant areas of law. To expect to get a job in law at all, much less one whereby you can expect to be an associate, focus on areas that are currently stable or growing such as litigation, insolvency, and labor and employment. Intellectual property, too, especially in areas like biotechnology, are becoming new areas of interest.
Can You Get Work in Vancouver As a US Lawyer?
While it's true that in some cases, lawyers close to the borders on either side (both American and Canadian) often engage in quite a bit of international law as a matter of course, it's not true for the most part that a US lawyer can truly find work in Vancouver or in any other province.
For one thing, jobs are scarce enough for Canadian citizens. For another, it's almost impossible to get a visa unless a particular company is going to sponsor you. One thing that is useful if you are a US attorney is that in some cases, Canadian companies will want to hire US attorneys to handle specific US transactions. In some cases, you can be admitted to the bar both in Canada and New York with certain "big law" firms that do a lot of international business. However, again, you're really going to have to know people so that you are guaranteed work, and you would have to be licensed to practice in both jurisdictions.
A Note about Salary and Pricing
If you live in Vancouver, you're going to pay for doing so. It's the second most expensive city in Canada and has the highest housing prices. Although the city is working on lowering its housing costs, it's still going to cost you a pretty penny to live there. Therefore, know that it's probably going to be difficult to live in Vancouver if you have a relatively low level job in the legal industry, such as an assistant. In addition, Vancouver remains one of the poorer cities in Canada with a median income of $56,000 Canadian, even though housing prices there average $416,000 Canadian, for example.
That said, if you're a Canadian citizen, you've finished law school and are looking for work, experts advise that you should put aside any notions you have about playing favorites as far as the area you work in, at least for the present. Instead, look for areas that need lawyers. Good prospects include energy (oil and gas, electricity), and perhaps unfortunate, work related to the economy such as labor and employment and insolvency. Commercial real estate, too, is still a good sector to find work in.
Most areas related to business and finance, including securities and mergers in that position, are on the downswing, in addition to corporate law in general.
Interested in these kinds of jobs? Click here to find Corporate jobs.
Changes from What Used to Be
No more do we have the glorious days of the 1990, when the technology boom gave lots of lawyers more work than they can handle. Major Canadian centers needed recruits, as did their counterparts in New York.
Unfortunately, when the technology bubble popped, so did the heady days of "too much work to handle.” New lawyers can no longer count on being hired by the firms they've done their articling jobs for calm and recruiters, too, are feeling the pinch.
Part of the problem is that because of the heavy upswing of the early 1990s, when there was more work to handle than there were lawyers, there was lots of "over hiring" going on. When the crash happened, as was perhaps inevitable, suddenly, there were too many lawyers and not enough jobs. That means that now, law firms are being very cautious when it comes to hiring new help calm and they're not doing so until they're sure the economy is unsure footing once again.
What You Can Do
If you're a student and you're looking for work, do accept lower paying positions just to get your foot in the door. When the upswing happens, he'll be in a good position to be hired on as a full-time lawyer.
In addition, don't just count on the big firms. Look for smaller practices. Although the job you get at a smaller practice might not pay as much as a job at a larger one, there are benefits there, too. For one, you're much more likely to be thrown into legal cases right away instead of being relegated to research or assistantship; it also has an advantage because you can truly get to know those who work there and become part of a team.
That said, though, don't take something you think you'll really hate just so that you have a job. It may leave you tied up when something else better comes along. Sit down, figure out what your long-term plan is, and only take even temporary work that fits in with long-term goals.
Finally, this, too, shall pass. Things will be on the upswing once again and you'll be in a good position to step into a full-time associate position or better with the experience you've gained during the downturn.
Another Suggestion? Look Elsewhere Besides Vancouver
Vancouver may be your city of choice, but other markets such as Calgary may be a better fit for you because the job rate there is better than it is in Vancouver. For example, the in-house market is good; Alberta's power and electricity deregulation has helped the economy there stay strong. This has also created demand for lawyers there. The Atlantic Provinces, too, still have a strong economy and the legal profession there is stable — although, again, corporate law is not as strong there and is down as it is everywhere else in Canada.
Conclusion
SEARCH CORPORATE JOBS ON BCG ATTORNEY SEARCH
At present, getting a job as a corporate lawyer in Vancouver (or elsewhere in Canada) is a spotty proposition at best. In addition, Vancouver's high cost of living makes the difficulty finding employment there even more of a problem. Experts suggest that those looking for jobs as lawyers focus on other areas of the legal profession that are hiring, such as energy, labor and employment, and insolvency. In addition, they suggested that job seekers should also avoid focusing on Vancouver for the present and instead focus on areas such as Calgary or the Atlantic Provinces. Another good idea is to seek a job in smaller practices, which may help you find work, instead of limiting yourself to large practices only.
Interested in these kinds of jobs? Click here to find Corporate jobs.
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published October 27, 2008
By Harrison Barnes, CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search 
About Harrison Barnes
No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.
A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter
Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:
- Immigration law
- Workers’ compensation
- Insurance defense
- Family law
- Trusts & estates
- Municipal law
- And many more...
This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.
Proven Success at All Levels
With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:
- Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
- Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
- Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
- Growing firms in small and rural markets
He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.
Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search
Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.
The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys
Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.
- His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
- He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
- His placement success is unmatched—see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
- He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.
Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes
If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.
Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.
With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.
A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success
Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.
Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:
- Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
- Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
- Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.
This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.
A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives
Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.
He has worked with:
- Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
- Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
- Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
- Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.
For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.
Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation
If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.
? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.
Alternative Summary
Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
More about Harrison
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