MacLeans: Where's the Aftermath?

MacLean’s magazine caused quite a tempest in the legal community with its recent article equating lawyers with a furry trouble-causing rodent.  The profession responded quickly and forcefully (See the CBA's response)  to what I am told, not having read the piece, was a scathing broad-brush attack on its members. 

Then the matter died, quickly forgotten by all indications.

I am not surprised that a magazine would dedicate this type of energy to criticizing the legal profession, although I was a tad taken aback by some of the excerpts I happened upon. I had no idea the practice of law on Bay Street was that colourful, even having been here for almost 10 years – perhaps I should get out of the office from time to time.

Nor am I surprised that the profession took offence and responded in strong terms. 

I am surprised, though, that the rest of the media did not start running similar stories. Those stories are probably not too hard to find, but almost nobody took the bait.


I wonder whether most Canadians saw the article as an attention-grabbing device, as opposed to solid (if edgy) journalism? If so, I wonder whether Canadians had that impression because most people understand that most lawyers are solid, caring, honest citizens. 

MacLeans seems to have found some bad apples in the legal profession, as they might locate in any occupation or profession. However, after ten years of practice I often reflect on how few of these ‘bad’ lawyers I’ve run into, compared to the hundreds of fantastic people I would trust implicitly in a heartbeat. 

Maybe the public, deep down and despite all the lawyer jokes, feels the same way.


Thanks for reading,

Sean Graham

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