Working as a lawyer in a major city like Toronto comes with lots of opportunities and lots of competition. It’s not hard to find and apply for job listings, but how to find the right job for you?

If you are looking for Toronto lawyer jobs, then I am assuming the idea of working for yourself as a sole practitioner did not appeal to you.

First, you need to start with your goals. What is most important to you? Are you looking for the highest salary? Or are you wanting to have a work-life balance? The top-paying jobs (normally at big law firms) rarely come with a work-life balance. They pay you a lot, and they want all your time in return. Weekends and holidays off? Forget about it.

Is there a demand for lawyers in Ontario?

Ontario has a robust demand for legal services, creating a wide range of employment opportunities for lawyers. Not only does the private sector require legal services, but also the government and public sectors. This demand is evidenced by the fact that there were over 56,000 practicing lawyers in Ontario as of 2021, with this number growing steadily over the years. Additionally, there are over 2,000 law firms in Ontario, ranging from sole practitioners to large firms with hundreds of lawyers, according to the Law Society of Ontario.

Moreover, emerging industries such as technology and healthcare are creating more opportunities for lawyers to provide legal expertise. With the increasing complexity of laws and regulations in these areas, there is a growing need for lawyers to navigate the legal challenges that come with them.

Despite the strong demand for lawyers in Ontario, the job market for lawyers can be competitive, and those entering the field should be prepared to work hard and continuously develop their skills to stand out in a crowded market. To be successful, aspiring lawyers need to have excellent research, analytical, and communication skills, as well as the ability to handle complex legal matters.

Ontario offers a fertile ground for lawyers to practice and develop their skills, with numerous opportunities in both traditional and emerging fields. Those with the right skills and drive can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career in law.

How much does an average lawyer make in Toronto?

The salary of a lawyer in Toronto is determined by several factors, including their level of experience, practice area, and the size of the law firm they work for. According to a 2021 survey conducted by PayScale, the average salary for a lawyer in Toronto is approximately CAD $82,000 annually. However, this amount can range from $45,000 to $175,000 or more, depending on factors.

Lawyers with a few years of experience and specializing in high-demand fields like corporate law or intellectual property law can earn more than the average salary. Similarly, those employed in large law firms in Toronto generally receive higher salaries than their peers working in small firms or as solo practitioners.

It’s important to note that the cost of living in Toronto is relatively high, so salaries may be adjusted accordingly to accommodate this. Additionally, lawyers working for the government or public sector generally earn less than those in the private sector.

The salary of a lawyer in Toronto varies significantly based on multiple factors. Therefore, those contemplating a career in law should conduct thorough research and assess the available opportunities to make an informed decision.

Do Research On The Firm or Company Before Applying

When looking for a job it’s easy to just apply for all positions you see on Indeed (the best place to look for lawyer jobs.) Most of your information is auto-saved in Indeed (your name, email, and resume) and all you HAVE to do is edit a cover letter. Do not apply without a cover letter unless the job posting says not to do it.

Before getting into the interview and due diligence phase, think about if you really want to work at that law firm. If the firm mostly does divorce law, and you prefer civil litigation, is it the right fit for you? Once you are hired you might get pressured into doing some family law work when the firm doesn’t have any civil litigation files for you to work on. Are you okay with that?

Also, try to understand as much as you can about the managing partner. Are they all about hitting billable targets? Or do they value volunteering in the community? Find out what the company values are and if they align with your own. It comes down to finding a boss (which is what a managing partner is) that you want to work for. When you work at a firm, you are not your own boss. It doesn’t matter if you work on a percentage split instead of a salary, you work for someone else.

Technology Expectations

A lot of Toronto lawyers (or lawyers in general) are not great at using technology. At larger law firms, they have entire IT departments that help lawyers with computer issues. The beginning of COVID-19 and virtual hearings was a real learning curve for a lot of law firms.

I’ve noticed that many law firms break down into two categories when it comes to technology. Either they are old school (the managing partner often has grey hair) or they are on board with the legal innovation/access to justice movement.

If you are a real estate lawyer who likes doing in-person notary and reviewing paper copies, you might clash with a managing partner who is pushing a 100% virtual law firm where you never meet your clients face to face.

Obviously, the opposite also applies. If you are a tech-savvy lawyer, you will likely be unhappy working under an old-school lawyer.

Lawyer Jobs in Toronto

Working hours again tie into the work-life balance issue. But even if you are a Toronto lawyer who is okay working a stressful job for the maximum amount of money, you will still want to put a cap on your working hours.

Otherwise, you are selling your soul (and mental health) for money. If you have an expectation on a maximum amount of working hours per week (maybe 60 hours) then be clear upfront on that number during the interview stage.

And when it comes to signing an employment agreement, make sure that number is also in the agreement. You want something in a contract to refer to if the managing partner is asking you to work Sundays after you put in 60 hours during the workweek.

These are some tips when looking for Toronto lawyer jobs, if you want to reach out to me to ask any questions, or to see if I can refer you to a managing partner in Toronto, you can reach me on Instagram. I pride myself on being useful, and I’m happy to help you on your journey in any way that I can.