Like Father, Like Son
Every day has turned into TakeYour Kid to Work Day for two father/son duos working at the Richard A. Low and Company law firm.
The full service local law firm consists of four lawyers – Richard Low and his son Michael, and Paul Robinson and his son Jacob.
By choosing to not only follow in their fathers’ footsteps but also work alongside them, Michael and Jacob have helped create this rare work environment.
“It may not be unique, but it is probably safe to say it is unusual for any business venture to comprise two fathers and two sons,” says Paul.
Richard began the full service law firm, located at 117 – 5thAvenue South, in 1992. It offers a comprehensive range of legal services, including real estate, corporate/ commercial law, personal injury claims, family/divorce matters, wills and estates, civil litigation and adoptions. The firm also employs a staff of seven support employees.
Paul, who has also practiced law in England, joined the firm in 2009 and became a partner in 2013. Michael was already working at the firm by then and was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 2012. Jacob joined in May 2015 and is due to become a fully-fledged lawyer this spring.
All four recommend the family-oriented workplace model, touting its many benefits for all involved.
“It makes coming to work an even better experience when we are working shoulder to shoulder with our boys,” says Richard, adding that family is very important to each of the four lawyers.
“Working together has been an extension of our family lives in many ways,” says Paul. “As well as getting along famously, we’re each able to make a contribution to the practice.”
“And I haven’t been sent to my room even once since I got here,” says Jacob.
Richard and Paul say they are pleased to be able to mentor the younger lawyers through the early years of their careers, but say the benefits from the working arrangement work both ways.
“We each contribute in our own ways,” says Richard. “We act as sounding boards for each other - it’s great to be able to pass on years of experience to the next generation.”
Friends since their junior high school years, Michael and Jacob are happy to now be co-workers.
“I always knew I wanted to pursue a law career, it was just something I have always believed,” says Michael.
Jacob says it was his years of postsecondary schooling that led him to the legal profession.
Both are also married with young families of their own and say they would be thrilled if any of their children followed them into the legal profession.
“I would love that,” says Michael. “Going to work with a son or daughter must be great – I know it has been for me going to work with my dad.”
“I’d echo those words,” says Jacob. “But that’s a ways off. For right now, I’d settle for my girls blessing me with a good night’s sleep rather than a promise of one day working together.”