Start-Up_Legal firm
Donation protected
Trying to start law firm - If these fees aren't paid, it will be impossible to pursue a career in the field even after 4-5 years of studies + internships.
I've finished law school and have passed the bar while working part-time to pay rent, groceries, and other necessities.
The goal: to help those less fortunate (e.g. the homeless, young offenders, women, indigenous populations, PoC, etc.).
To get this practice started I'm facing many expenses, but as a woman that does not come wealth, I'm having trouble finding the needed funds (it should be noted that as articling students we are paid $150-200 cdn/wk and having another job isn't possible with a 60-70hr/wk schedule - which makes things even tougher when you don't live at home or have another person contributing to expenses).
The funds would be used for the following:
- Professional liability insurance: $2000
- Business cards + website: $250
- Office rent and furniture: $1500
- Office set-up (phone line, fax line, supplies, etc.): $250
TOTAL: $4000 (found out last week, that all fees need to be paid by August 1st - hence why gofundme)
For some of you this might seem like nothing, for others it might seem like a lot, for someone like me it's massive; and it does seem almost impossible to attain.
Many of you are probably thinking that as lawyers we'll be making 100 of thousands of dollars in no time - nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, as solo public defenders (public defenders are all solo practitioners here), we can expect to make between $15-20K during our first 2 years of practice (which is below the poverty line).
We hope you will find it in your hearts to help (every dollar counts and would mean the world).
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Don't hesitate if you need further clarifications or have questions.
C
I've finished law school and have passed the bar while working part-time to pay rent, groceries, and other necessities.
The goal: to help those less fortunate (e.g. the homeless, young offenders, women, indigenous populations, PoC, etc.).
To get this practice started I'm facing many expenses, but as a woman that does not come wealth, I'm having trouble finding the needed funds (it should be noted that as articling students we are paid $150-200 cdn/wk and having another job isn't possible with a 60-70hr/wk schedule - which makes things even tougher when you don't live at home or have another person contributing to expenses).
The funds would be used for the following:
- Professional liability insurance: $2000
- Business cards + website: $250
- Office rent and furniture: $1500
- Office set-up (phone line, fax line, supplies, etc.): $250
TOTAL: $4000 (found out last week, that all fees need to be paid by August 1st - hence why gofundme)
For some of you this might seem like nothing, for others it might seem like a lot, for someone like me it's massive; and it does seem almost impossible to attain.
Many of you are probably thinking that as lawyers we'll be making 100 of thousands of dollars in no time - nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, as solo public defenders (public defenders are all solo practitioners here), we can expect to make between $15-20K during our first 2 years of practice (which is below the poverty line).
We hope you will find it in your hearts to help (every dollar counts and would mean the world).
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Don't hesitate if you need further clarifications or have questions.
C
Organizer
Cate Côté
Organizer
Montréal, QC
