Episode 12: One Lawyer’s Path Beyond the Big Firms with Adam Armeland
Synopsis
What are the career options for lawyers when they want to move on from a big firms? Two options we explore in this episode include corporate in-house counsel and of course, the entrepreneurial route.
Adam Armeland started his career working at a big law firm working long hours on major real estate transactions. Despite being absorbed by that world, after 3.5+ years he left and decided to explore an industry job. As the pace slowed down his mind kept racing towards even more alternatives, including the idea of starting his own business.
The world of law is complex, as is the choice of where to work. Host Greg Martin and Adam talk about what it was like at each stage of his law career. Throughout this episode they also discuss the good and bad of the world of law, the path Adam took, what he gets out of being a business owner he couldn’t from practicing law and we follow what drives him to do what he does today.
Key Takeaways
Adam is a former corporate lawyer and the co-founder of Kitchen Hub, a ghost kitchen in Toronto supporting multiple restaurant brands from one location
Began undergrad with a philosophy degree, studying the big questions in life
Pursued law (because of his father) and MBA (because interest in business) with a joint degree
Began law career at a small firm, moving to a big firm McCarthy in real estate law, working almost 4 years
Left big law firm after realizing wanted to spend more time with his newborn son and family
After time in industry practicing law, he worked on his own business plan and left in 2019 to start and co-found a new business
Today actively growing food business with new locations planned for the Greater Toronto Area (and plans to expand beyond)
Adam’s Background
Education including an undergrad degree in Philosophy from University of Western Ontario and a joint JD and MBA from University of Calgary
Began law career as a student at Torkin Manes LLP, then short stints at Canadian Tire and Forum Equity Partners
Worked for over 3.5 years as an associate at McCarthy Tétrault focused on real estate transactions
Worked almost 2 years at Ivanhoe Cambridge as in-house legal counsel
Co-founder of Kitchen Hub in 2019