Earlier this summer, I completed my Honours Research Essay as my final act at Carleton. My research explored the positive role of fear in the daily performance of corporate lawyers. What began as a curiosity developed into a year-long project that combined legal theory with the lived experiences of practicing lawyers at a big law firm in Toronto.

Through seven in-depth interviews, I examined how emotions (often overlooked in legal practice) can strengthen performance and create trust in client relationships. Drawing from performance theory and constructivism, I analyzed how fear not only influences individual lawyers but also shapes the dynamics of corporate law as a whole. I also introduced a novel analysis of kaizen to connect its conventional application with its alluring presence at the firm in question.

The project ultimately received an A+, a recognition I’m proud of, but more importantly, it gave me a deeper understanding of the human side of law. It also reaffirmed my passion for pursuing a legal career, where both intellect and emotion shape advocacy and client service.

Completing this project required resilience, discipline, and consistency throughout eight months of research and data collection. I faced many obstacles along the way, but never let them prevent me from producing a thoughtful and well research piece of scholarship.

While I continue to refine the paper, I am grateful to everyone who contributed their time and insights. If you are interested in reading the full paper, please reach out at tierrabenfield@gmail.com – I’d be happy to share it. 🎀