Legal Bites - Get To Know Erin Cram

Our team of lawyers have a very diverse background coming from all parts of the country with extensive knowledge helping people with their legal needs.

Erin Cram didn’t take a traditional route in becoming a lawyer. In 2005, the Kelowna native obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia, then travelled to Australia to attend law school. After two years at Bond University located on Australia’s Gold Coast, Erin returned to Canada to finish her post-secondary education. She then returned to Kelowna to complete her articles, and in December 2009, she was called to the Bar as a lawyer in British Columbia and hasn’t left.

We find out a little bit more about Erin in this “Legal Bites” Q & A:

Tell us about your practice:

I am primarily a family law lawyer working with families in cohabitation, divorce, child and spousal support and debt division. I also assist families in matters of estate litigation.

Why did you go to law school?

I went because I always wanted to be a lawyer. The legal profession runs in my family, with my mother and grandfather each practicing. I remember spending countless weekends in my mom’s office at her Firm; it’s one of the most vivid memories I have as a child - that and discovering the powdered ice tea mix (laughing). As a kid, I had tunnel vision in school with my focus on becoming a lawyer. When I was doing my undergrad, I had already planned to go to Law School and was lucky enough to attend in Australia.

Why Australia?

It’s a bit funny; I didn’t even apply to any schools in Canada because I already knew (tunnel vision) I wanted to practice a type of law that would not be conducive to having international experiences living abroad. So really, the only time to experience travelling was in the context of being able to continue and pursue my post-secondary experience internationally. I was able to go to a law school that had a lot of Canadians, had a lot of Canadian content, and was an established pathway to return to Canada for the purposes of being able to article and eventually get called to the Bar. It was a match made in heaven for me to live abroad and attend law school, then return to finish up at UVic (University of Victoria).

Professionally, what is your most significant achievement so far?

I’m most proud of the successes that my clients have had in Court. We don’t win them all because family law is very fact-driven, but I’ve had some really good results and really good experiences in helping clients achieve their goals.

What are some of the challenges for young people getting into the law field?

The law field isn’t for everyone. There is a lot of post-secondary schooling you need to do. Generally speaking, you complete your undergrad degree, and then you go to law school, and for a lot of people, it is a big commitment plus post-secondary is expensive.

What advice would you give to a person just starting their legal career, fresh out of law school?

I would tell someone to surround themselves with really knowledgeable people either in your office or developing those relationships within the profession. Ask questions, look for a mentor in the formal sense and be patient. In the first five years, you will learn a lot with opportunities to experience several aspects of the profession, and by that year five mark, you’ll start to feel comfortable in your abilities. Professional services, in general, can be tough, but it is a very rewarding job.