Introduction
I think they asked me to do the introduction because I am the oldest lawyer they could find whose passion relates to a legal practice in smaller centres outside of Edmonton and Calgary. As an old codger, I guess that means I bring perspective.
What interests me about a magazine devoted to rural practice is that it has been a long time coming. When roughly 1000 of the 8000 lawyers in Alberta work outside the two large metropolitan cities, we tend to be forgotten. But realize that those small legions of lawyers provide valuable legal services to approximately half the population of Alberta!
For the most part, the small town lawyer is a dying proposition. If they’re lucky, regional centres are holding their own but are finding it harder to recruit articling students and junior lawyers. When I arrived in Grande Prairie from Edmonton almost 35 years ago, there were about 20,000 souls and 35-40 lawyers. Today, as the regional population approaches 120,000, we are only now up to about 50 lawyers. Many villages and towns have either had their practitioners bought out by the larger regional firms or have lost them entirely to retirement. Talk about having no Access to Justice!
So what have I learned from my 35 years as a lawyer working and living in Grande Prairie? The practice of law is inspiring, fulfilling and rewarding. The legal issues are complex, the work plentiful and the financial rewards arrive without having to be made senior partner. Family life is much easier when you can drive home in 7 minutes for lunch or take your kids to their activities across town in about the same amount of time. One can become a pillar of the community and play varied roles as professional expert and charitable contributor.
As I see it, the major downsides to rural practice are reflected in the lack of mentorship, the distance and significant cost to attend continuing legal education courses, and the dearth of knowledge on important legal issues and cases which is more easily available in Calgary and Edmonton.
And so this publication on the practice of law in our rural heartland is important. The quality of the contributors and their easy-to-understand practical tips and advice will hopefully spur a broad ranging readership who will learn and benefit from their knowledge and expertise.
From this grey-hair, may we pass the torch!
- Cyril S. Gurevitch, Q.C.
CBA Alberta Branch Past President (2012-13)