A scientific approach to law
John Buhlman’s early engineering studies lay the groundwork for a successful legal career in environmental work
Q: What is your position and what are your responsibilities?
A: I am a partner with the law firm WeirFoulds LLP. I have been at WeirFoulds for 40 years, first as an articling student, then as an associate lawyer and lastly as a partner for the last 33 years. I am a litigation partner and focus on environmental work which includes representing aggregate producers in licence applications and other matters. WeirFoulds has been acting for aggregate producers for at least as long as I have been at the firm. I am also on the OSSGA Board of Directors, and was the first lawyer to serve on the board.
Q: What is it about your job that other people wish they got to do?
A: The answer to this question is perhaps not as exciting as driving big trucks or setting off explosions! I think other people wish they got to deal with the interesting people I deal with in the industry. People in the industry love the industry, are friendly, interesting and great to work with. I can’t say this to other lawyers, but I would much rather spend time with people in the industry than other lawyers.
Q: What do you find most challenging in your work?
A: There are two types of challenges in my work, one positive and one not so much. The positive challenge is keeping up with the very bright people in the industry, particularly experts hired to complete all of the studies necessary to obtain a licence. In order to properly represent clients I need to understand the science, which is challenging but interesting and keeps me on my toes. The not so positive challenge is dealing with opposition to applications which is based not on science but on myths and misconceptions and, in some cases, junk science.
Q: Describe your typical day on the job and how the work you do contributes to your company.
A: My typical day is sitting at my desk in my office preparing and moving files along. I am often reading expert reports, preparing for hearings or court proceedings, preparing documents, attending meetings with other lawyers and clients and on the phone. That is what I call the everyday life of a lawyer. Most hearings and trials settle, but those that do not change the typical day on the job. When on a hearing or trial, I will be at the tribunal or in court most of the day which typically runs from 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. to about 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. That may seem a short day, but it is very intense mentally, and draining physically. Evenings are spent preparing for the next day so most days end up being 10-hour days, sometimes longer. The work I do contributes to the success of my clients by solving the problems they face, whether it is getting an approval or solving some other issue.
Q: How did you get interested in this field of work?
A: I got interested in this field through a referral by a consultant I had worked with for many years on environmental cases. A client was looking for a litigation lawyer with environmental experience who could work with another lawyer on an application for a licence. I was recommended by the consultant and retained by the client.
Q: Detail your past or ongoing education and how it is relevant to your job.
A: I have two university degrees relevant to the work I do. The first is an engineering degree from the University of Waterloo, which indicates my interest in science. The second is a law degree from the University of Windsor. The engineering degree has been particularly helpful working with all of the experts required to obtain approvals, including cross examining opposing experts at hearings or trials. Most of the time I can understand what they are saying or can quickly come up to speed.
Q: Where do you see the industry going in the next few years?
A: The industry is essential for the growth in our economy and the infrastructure being built. So that is positive. The challenge is getting new licences approved. I see that becoming more difficult as opponents have become very good at rallying opposition through social media. Unfortunately, politicians too often listen to the loudest and ignore the science.
Q: What advice would you give to others looking for a career in the aggregate industry?
A: My advice to anyone interested in a legal career in the industry is to study science first. While many lawyers without a science background are very successful in the industry, a science background is a significant advantage. We live in a society that is dependent on science and technology, and the aggregate industry is no different.