After more than 25 years practicing criminal law, I have come to appreciate that a legal career is built through much more than textbooks, lectures, and examinations. Education provides the foundation, but experience teaches you how to apply that knowledge when the circumstances are complicated and the pressure is real. This is one of the reasons I believe mentorship is so important in the legal profession. Experienced lawyers have a responsibility to share what they have learned with the people who will eventually carry the profession forward.
My own career has included ten years as a provincial prosecutor in Toronto before moving into criminal defence. Working in different roles within the justice system has given me a broad perspective on criminal law and courtroom practice. I believe sharing that perspective with students and younger lawyers can help them develop not only as legal professionals, but also as thoughtful advocates.
Learning Beyond the Textbooks
Law school teaches students how to understand legislation, analyze cases, and build legal arguments. Those skills are essential, but there are parts of practicing law that cannot be fully learned from a textbook.
The courtroom is one example. Reading about cross examination is very different from actually standing in court and questioning a witness. Understanding the theory of advocacy is different from having to think quickly when a witness gives an unexpected answer.
Mentorship provides an opportunity to bridge that gap. Younger lawyers can learn from people who have already experienced the situations they will eventually face. A mentor can explain not only what the law says, but how to approach the practical challenges that come with applying it.
Sharing Real Courtroom Experience
One of the most valuable things an experienced lawyer can offer is perspective. Criminal law can be unpredictable, and not every case unfolds according to plan.
My years as a provincial prosecutor taught me the importance of preparation, organization, and understanding the evidence from the beginning. My experience as a criminal defence lawyer has reinforced those lessons from a different perspective. When I speak with students or younger lawyers, I try to emphasize that courtroom confidence comes from preparation rather than simply from having experience.
Young lawyers do not need to know everything immediately. What they need is the willingness to prepare, ask questions, listen, and learn from every experience. Mentorship can help make that process less intimidating.
Learning From Mistakes
One of the realities of any legal career is that mistakes happen. No lawyer gets everything right, particularly in the early years of practice. The important thing is learning from those experiences.
A good mentor can help younger lawyers understand that making a mistake does not have to define their career. It can instead become an opportunity to improve. Talking openly about what went wrong and what could have been done differently can be one of the most useful forms of professional education.
I believe this is particularly important in criminal law because the stakes can be high. Young lawyers need to develop the ability to remain calm, learn from difficult situations, and continue improving their skills.
The Importance of Professional Judgment
Legal knowledge is only one part of being a good lawyer. Judgment is equally important, and judgment develops over time.
A young lawyer may understand exactly what the law says but still be unsure about how aggressively to pursue a particular argument, when to challenge a witness, or when a practical resolution may be in a client’s best interest. These decisions are rarely answered by a textbook.
Mentorship allows experienced lawyers to share the reasoning behind those decisions. It helps younger lawyers understand that effective advocacy is not always about making the loudest argument or pursuing every possible issue. Sometimes the best decision is knowing what to focus on and what to leave alone.
Encouraging Questions
I also believe that good mentorship requires creating an environment where younger lawyers feel comfortable asking questions. There is no benefit in pretending to know something when you do not.
The legal profession is constantly changing. Technology, legislation, and court procedures continue to evolve, and even experienced lawyers need to keep learning. Asking questions is not a sign of weakness. It is part of becoming a better lawyer.
When students or younger lawyers ask questions, mentors should take the time to explain the reasoning behind an answer rather than simply providing a conclusion. Understanding why something is done a certain way is far more valuable than simply being told what to do.
Building the Future of Criminal Law
Mentorship is ultimately about more than helping individual lawyers. It is about strengthening the profession as a whole.
Criminal law depends on having lawyers who are prepared, ethical, knowledgeable, and committed to fairness. The next generation will face challenges that may look very different from those I encountered when I started practicing. Technology is changing evidence, legal issues continue to evolve, and public expectations of the justice system are constantly shifting.
Experienced lawyers can help prepare younger professionals for that future by sharing the lessons they have learned while also encouraging new ideas and perspectives.
Passing Along More Than Legal Knowledge
The most important lessons I hope to pass along are not necessarily specific legal rules. They are lessons about professionalism, preparation, patience, and treating people with respect.
Criminal defence lawyers work with people who may be experiencing one of the most difficult periods of their lives. How a lawyer communicates with a client can be just as important as how they argue a legal issue.
Young lawyers need to understand that being a strong advocate does not mean losing sight of the person behind the case. Professionalism and empathy can exist alongside strong courtroom advocacy.
Final Thoughts
Mentorship has always been an important part of professional development, but I believe it is particularly valuable in criminal law. There are lessons that simply cannot be learned from a book. They come from watching experienced lawyers work, asking questions, discussing difficult situations, and reflecting on what could have been done differently.
After more than two decades in criminal law, I still have plenty to learn myself. That is one of the things I appreciate most about the profession. Every case and every courtroom experience provides another opportunity to grow.
The next generation of criminal lawyers will ultimately shape the future of the justice system. If experienced lawyers are willing to share their knowledge, support younger professionals, and encourage them to think critically, we can help build a legal profession that is prepared for whatever comes next.