“In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jay Skukowski began his legal career at Blaney McMurtry as an Associate in 2010 and in only four short years was named Partner. Jay has dedicated his career to insurance defense matters and has developed his practice through his successful representation of well-known companies, which include leading national insurers. He attributes his success to the valuable client relationships he has built over the years. As an avid traveler, Jay has met people from all different walks of life which has given him the ability to work efficiently with an array of clients. He is keen on getting to know his clients and colleagues on an individual basis and believes communication is essential to a conducive relationship.

Working as a lawyer can be pretty tough, including long hours and plenty of stress. Jay believes a work life balance is incredibly important to be successful. Read more about Jay’s pursuit of balancing a busy legal career and enjoying life outside the law below.

The Road Less Travelled

Few people would have guessed but Jay did not start his career path on Bay Street but on the Southeast Asian island of East Timor where he acted as a pro bono lawyer advising on oil disputes in the newly formed country. His next career move brought him back to his roots in Northern Ontario where he worked for the Crown Attorney’s Office. He gained valuable experience there appearing in WASH (weekends and statutory holidays) Court.

Jay articled with a criminal and insurance defence firm in Toronto and his first big test in the courtroom came just three days after being called to the bar when he argued and won a case at the Court of Appeal. It was then that he came to understand that trial by fire was a quick way to learn, and that criminal cases posed a unique set of challenges – ones he wasn’t certain he wanted to make a career of confronting.

Upon reflection, Jay said: “I realized as much as I loved being in court, I didn’t want to deal with the aspects of criminal law that were largely moralistic, and quite dangerous. I figured the next best thing was insurance defence. And the rest, I guess, is history.”

Craft Your Practice

Now, in his current field, Jay admits and recognizes the fact that pressure puts everything into perspective. Switching from criminal law to insurance defence was a fulfilling yet an uncommon pivot in the career of a lawyer. But for Jay, it was the best thing he could’ve done. By changing focus, crafting his own practice, and homing in on his strengths, he now can say with confidence that he wouldn’t do anything differently, and he loves the diversity of his work in insurance defence.

Jay notes “there is an expectation of perfection in law, but one shouldn’t let self–doubt creep in due to loss”. In fact, if there are any words of wisdom that Jay can offer to junior associates, it’s to never let the fear of losing get in the way of your success.

Even with his understanding of the industry’s demanding expectations, this doesn’t mean he’s discovered the road to easy street; these days it’s the struggle to “agree to disagree” with clients that can get in the way. As put by Jay, “although we’re always advocating for a client’s best interests, there must be recognition that we need to disagree for certain reasons. And that takes a lot of strength of character and a little bit of courage to do.”

You Have to Slow Down to Speed Up

Years later, now that he’s applied more definition and focus to his calling in insurance defence, Jay has been able to find stability in how he approaches each case, how he manages a work/family balance, and the relationship between life and law, noting that “you have to slow down to speed up” if you want to be successful in a day – or in a lifetime.

This wholesome and meditative proverb likely stems from Jay’s experience as a Division I NCAA golfer. By reflecting on the competitive nature of sports in relation to the law industry’s expectation of winning every case, Jay acknowledges that the fear of losing can define a lawyer – if they let it. As he so wisely puts it, “In golf, you only let yourself down, and it’s the same with the practice of law. You’re the only one who has to deal with the loss, and that’s the hardest part.”

However, Jay insists that getting over the fear of losing simply takes a holistic approach; by implementing a solid balance and recognizing that you can’t be perfect all the time, you can find the elements you love about your job, and still find time away to refuel.

Advice, Or Something Like It

Jay’s success in insurance defence is also attributed to lessons from some unexpected sources, including his ten-year-old daughter. Through her eyes, Jay has come to see an unvarnished view of the world, and learned the key to success is balance.

“I was on vacation at Lake Superior, sitting on the dock feeling miserable after a loss, and my daughter came up to me and just said, ‘why don’t we go swimming?’ And that’s how you deal with it – you have to go swimming sometimes.” The family-related elements of his life have taught him a level of understanding, reflection, and simply, how to be a better lawyer.

Now, with his boots full of experience and his ability to pivot when necessary, Jay has come to understand that you can’t be perfect all of the time. And, if you’re looking for a life lesson from Jay, he’ll offer wise, simple, and respectable advice (borrowed from a memorable speech he attended by Pierre Burton): “Have fun, and damn the consequences.”