Natalie Kuehn, Law’14, has already taken on large cases as Assistant Crown Attorney in the smaller city of London, Ontario. “Don’t assume because it’s a small market, you’re not going to be busy,” she says. “Trust me, the work is there!”
Natalie Kuehn, Law’14, has already taken on large cases as Assistant Crown Attorney in the smaller city of London, Ontario. “Don’t assume because it’s a small market, you’re not going to be busy,” she says. “Trust me, the work is there!”

When Natalie (Johnson) Kuehn, Law’14, began her studies at Queen’s Law in September 2011, she knew her preference for practising in a small market would not be brushed aside. After all, the school’s Career Development Office (CDO) has long been known for supporting students in finding the path that is right for them. By her fourth week, Kuehn was already well on her way to developing a career management plan with the CDO as she prepared her application for a summer position at the London Crown Office. She got the job and went on to become a valuable member of the Crown’s team. 

One word to describe her small-market practice now? “Busy!” exclaims Kuehn. “The job is challenging and fast-paced, so every day is different. I love that our office has an emphasis on mentorship, and I work with phenomenal lawyers who have expertise in different areas of criminal law. It is a demanding job, and one that you really get out of it what you put into it.” 

The big-city experience of taking on large cases is not unknown to her smaller practice. In fact, she’s had the opportunity to take on larger cases earlier in her career than one might have in larger cities. Besides the exciting case work, Natalie values the 25 Assistant Crown Attorneys in the office, the Deputy Crown and the Crown. “The best part of my job is the people I work with. I was born and raised in London, so to me it’s important that I have my ‘team’ with me and I can’t imagine practising elsewhere.”

Back in late September 2011 when she was preparing that summer job application, the CDO was instrumental in helping her get a foot in the door with Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General. “I quite honestly knew nothing yet, and the applications were due a week later, so the QL Career Development Office went into high gear to get me ready.” The CDO connected her with other students who had summered and articled for the Crown, edited and reviewed her application, provided her with resources on past questions used in interviews, and gave her advice on how to study. 

Recognizing the value in such CDO resources, during her upper years she helped students interested in taking the same path by running mock interviews, speaking on panels and helping to develop materials on Crown jobs. “I very honestly could not have achieved success in that interview – as a brand new law student! – without the help of the QL Career Development Office.” 

As she expected, Queen’s Law with its tight-knit, smaller community feel was a great fit for her. “I think I’ve always been attracted to that type of environment, where I’m not simply a number.” Being able to easily connect with her professors, classmates and staff members – and the opportunity to get to know them well – were important to her. Working in a smaller market, she finds, is a similar environment, where one knows all of the other lawyers, judges, court staff, and various community justice partners. “Being at Queen’s Law you learn how to really be part of a community, and how to contribute to a community. Those skills will carry you through life regardless of what you end up doing for a career.” 

It was her second-year mooting experience on the Arnup and Sopinka Cup teams that she credits for shaping the advocate she has become. 

For today’s students looking to practise in a small market, she recommends putting the community’s values first on their lists of things to know. “Talk to people who work there and live there. Get a feel for it and make sure you can see yourself being there. Know the community. What’s unique about practising in this city or town, as opposed to a bigger jurisdiction?” 

A small-market practice is filled with early career opportunities and challenges, she emphasizes. “Don’t assume because it’s a small market, you’re not going to be busy. Trust me, the work is there!”