Up Close & Personal with Pearl Prokosh

National Manager

Did you know?
–

I actually do not eat any condiments on my food, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, cream cheese, humus etc.

What is your Current role at Life After Law?
–

I currently work as a National Manager at Life After Law, where I recruit lawyers and legal professionals for private practice, in house counsel and quasi legal roles within law firms and companies across Canada and beyond. I am involved in business development and I work with a variety of clients from boutique law firms to national law firms and from small companies to large multinationals.

Tell Us a little bit about yourself…
–

I am married and I have several children. I live in Montreal, my home town. After graduating law school in 2002, I spent several years living and working in Los Angeles, California as a transactional Real Estate Lawyer at two top tier international law firms. I subsequently returned to Montreal in 2006, and I then transitioned into the legal recruitment industry, which field I have been working in ever since!

“I really enjoy connecting with people, both on the candidate and on the client side and assisting them in their endeavours. I like listening to clients and understanding their hiring objectives. I also really enjoy learning about my candidates’ experiences, their career concerns and ambitions and helping them navigate the legal market and watching them succeed professionally”.

Pearl Prokosh

Where did you go to Law School? Did you always imagine yourself going to Law School/Being a lawyer?
–

I went to law school at McGill University in Montreal, where I acquired both my Civil and Common Law degrees. I decided that I wanted to become a lawyer after high school. I thought that it would be an effective way to assist others and utilize my problem solving, negotiation, analytical and interpersonal skills. I studied Liberal Arts in Cegep, I then completed my undergraduate degree at McGill in History and I subsequently attended law school there.

When did you realize that you wanted your career to go in a different direction?
–

After practising real estate law for several years as an Associate in LA, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I decided to return home to Montreal to be closer to immediate family. I was ready for a career transition at that time, I researched the legal recruitment industry and I ultimately secured a role as a Legal Recruiter that I assumed in 2006.

How did you make that transition?
–

I made the transition after practising law for several years in LA and then returning to Montreal. The timing aligned well for me as I was then moving back home and I was ready to embark on a new career path after having worked as an Associate for several years at large law firms.

Did you have any Mentors or Role Models that helped you out along the way?
–

I was in touch with a former Associate who had previously transitioned from private practice into legal recruitment and they really enjoyed that experience and they advised me that it was an amazing career path. They thought that I would love it and excel at it.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?
–

I really enjoy connecting with people, both on the candidate and on the client side and assisting them in their endeavours. I like listening to clients and understanding their hiring objectives and really helping them find the ideal candidate to fill the role which they are seeking to hire for. I also really enjoy learning about my candidates’ experiences, their career concerns and ambitions and helping them navigate the legal market and making the transition in their career that best aligns with their interests and then ultimately watching them succeed professionally.

What would you do if you had an extra day in your week?
–

If I had an extra day in the week, I would join a gym and attend classes there!

What do you do in your Free time?
–

I enjoy cooking, travelling, working out and spending time with my family.