Practicing Law in a Smaller Centre

I spent most of this week in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Yellowknife is a beautiful city and I really enjoyed spending time with all the people there.

I learned some things that might be useful to Slaw readers who practice in smaller centres. Most of these things are perfectly logical.

Patience is a virtue.
In a smaller centre there are probably only a few people who can do things like repair network cabling. This is not a problem that can be solved by anything except patience. Just accept reality and try not to get grumpy.

Be prepared.
Assuming that technology will work as expected or that things will go according to plan is a mistake. Be prepared to anything. The best thing is that in smaller centres, you can walk in to a computer store, ask for a 25 foot network cable because the 10 footers are all too short, and they will put it on your account, even if you don’ have ID.

Clients come first.
Firms with practices in smaller centres have a unique perspective on who their clients are and what they need. Clients should come first everywhere of course, but it may be easier to put them first if you often see them in the grocery store, or at the lunch buffet.

An my final bit of wisdom: If you are ever in Yellowknife, eat at Bullocks Bistro, excellent food in a colourful, kitschy setting.