by Say Karen McCleave Toronto, you’ll get a nod of respect, an anecdote, or some other reaction. Building a reputation in law isn’t like putting together a bookshelf; there’s no guide and the pieces don’t always fit together like they should. That’s where professional gravity grows: in courtrooms, negotiating rooms, and going through evidence for decades. Those steps, which are hard and sometimes thankless, are what make you truly credible.
Think about the first time she walked inside a courtroom in Toronto. Her tummy was full of nerves, and maybe a coffee stain was making her feel less sure of herself. Everyone in the courtroom is buzzing with excitement, and every seat is full of its own plans. The sweet spot? Listening—giving the facts time to breathe before becoming involved. Years later, this early attention pays off in crisp cross-examinations and calm closing speeches.
For lawyers with her level of experience, no two days are the same. Some days, the case files are so thick that the paper cuts start to feel like battle wounds. The next day? A reporter showing up out of the blue, or a long talk with a family that needs to find a solution. No one gives out easy wins or silver linings, but being determined frequently pays off in its own way.
Legal proceedings can cause a lot of emotional turmoil. People who are being sued. People who were hurt. Attorneys who spar. Judges who are a little different. Every story is a tapestry of ambition and struggle. Not every choice will make everyone happy. The goal is to discover the uncommon sweet spot where rules and empathy meet. That’s not for people who are easily scared or who only work when the weather is nice.
A good sense of humor can get you through the day. Courtrooms aren’t known for being funny, but dryness and humor do happen, generally when things are so tense that a gavel might cut through them. Being more human doesn’t hurt your legal credibility. It’s the bridge over the river of acronyms and jargon, not the other way around.
Public service may come up in conversation outside of the stage. Professionals like her are involved in their communities in a big way, whether they are helping those who want to become lawyers or volunteering. Giving back isn’t just a bullet point; it’s part of the tale, sometimes in great public gestures and sometimes in small, private ones. You don’t need a megaphone to make a real difference.
Colleagues say that fairness and loyalty are important. Even enemies respect the preparation, and more than once, they’ve stated it with a tight jaw and a forced handshake. Success doesn’t always get a shower of confetti, but in the legal world, these things last for years.
The legacy lives on, not in plaques or glamorous magazine articles, but in the respect of peers, the relief of appreciative clients, and the quiet pride of having chosen the hard but meaningful road. Even after the last gavel falls, you’ll still find stories—some whispered, some shouted—that speak for themselves in every tough case, complicated headline, and hard-won verdict.