THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Collegiality CAN Equal Friendship

When I started practicing law, I had a legal partner to share the joys and fears of law and business with but I had no real connection to the legal community at large. I joined the local bar association. I introduced myself to other lawyers. I re-established acquaintances I had made with others during articling. But, there was a gap in making a real link with my colleagues. Then, it happened.

There was a lawyers’ baseball team being formed to play in a neighbourhood park league. Strictly fun, not competitive, no stealing bases, no leading off, use of team members as umpires. In other words, just plain fun. I joined.

The first practice – the afternoon of the first game – saw a collection of guys with varying levels of competence. We decided the positions the democratic way - we called them. I saw that there were lots of infielders and outfielders and a few pitchers. I was not a great fielder and my depth perception challenges make catching fly balls tough. I could sort of pitch but my consistency was not accurate even for lob ball where the ball was arced from four feet to ten feet – hopefully - into a strike zone. So, I called catcher!

Our ragtag group wore everything from muscle shirts to torn t-shirts to jerseys. The organizer had named us to Lawbsters to denote the legal background of the team and the type of game. We all loved it! We were born.

The first season saw a bunch of guys most of whom did not know each other very well begin to be a team. We learned teamwork skills – working plays together, knowing what the other guy would do and where he would be, hitting to move a runner and not be focused in individual statistics -  and …. nicknames. We had a pitcher we called Tug after Tug McGraw a great pitcher for the Mets. We had Big Bird for a tall, red-headed, loveable gem of a man who reminded us of the Sesame Street character. We had Reggie named after the famous Yankee home run hitter. We had family as our spouses came with the kids who played on the park equipment while their dads played ball. After the games, we would go to someone’s house for beer and hot dogs.

The first summer saw me getting to know and like my teammates. Some guys I was not sure of because the lure of comparison made me sometimes jealous and fearful. Some guys I hit it off with right away. Every week, we made more personal history. We had things to talk about at court, plays to analyze and the upcoming game to get ready for.

I played for 10 years with this group learning to like them more each game and watching a team grow.

So, where does the collegiality come from baseball?

I suffered a severe mental collapse and illness in 1990. When I became suddenly ill and left practice unexpectedly, my wife got calls from my teammates, my friends. How was I? What could they do? How about taking care of files? Can we see John? Here’s a card. We miss him.

My colleagues were my closest allies and friends when times were the toughest. The sharing of activities outside of law made us better lawyers as we worked together for our clients’ best interests. We had the measure of the other lawyer and found it easy to trust someone you respected and admired. We saw others as people with the same insecurities and strengths we had ourselves.

I am a very lucky man. I had an opportunity to know my colleagues (the root word for collegiality) and establish real connections. I talk to the “boys” every now and then since I moved from my home town. I get hugs, words of encouragement and some laughs. I carry fond memories of good times where the common element was law but the growth was in friendship.

Law can be a frightening experience with competition and challenges. Law can also be fun with associates working with you and making each dispute manageable. I choose fun.

John Starzynski is the Volunteer Executive Director of the Ontario Lawyers' Assistance Program

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