•     What do Law Clerks do?

Law Clerks assist a lawyer in various practice areas, such as civil litigation, criminal, family, real estate, corporate/commercial and wills/estates practice by performing many of the standard tasks that are otherwise performed by lawyers.

•    What are the main features of the Law Clerk Program?

The program is at or above the standards set at Ontario Community colleges for law clerk programs, and the same training is delivered in less than a year. This means the legal knowledge you will obtain, the legal office skills you will be proficient in and the tasks you will be able to perform at the end of our program will make you as or more prepared for employment than any other private or public college program in Ontario.

The program, including 4 weeks of co-op work placement (internship), is completed in 48 weeks and prepares the students to work in all major practice areas. The work placement allows you to see how your course training prepares you for an actual work environment. It is also a very useful tool in looking for employment in your chosen field.

Students are taught to do specific chores like a first draft of a separation agreement or pre-nuptial, or to interview clients to complete financial statements in family law cases. They are also taught to prepare documents, maintain records and communicate with clients on standard steps in corporate, real estate, estates and superior court matters. Students will learn about other practice areas such as summary criminal offences and small claims court litigation. They will learn skills like interviewing, trust accounting, legal research and writing, legal office procedures, specialized legal software, and other computer skills important in a legal environment. 

For students who are just starting post-secondary studies or returning to studies after a long period away you will be happy to know we provide classes in study strategies and job search and general work skills.

What are the job prospects – now and in future?

Graduates of our Law Clerk Program will be well equipped to find employment is law firms, corporate law departments, government departments and agencies, courts and tribunals, financial companies and real estate title insurers. Unlike careers in some other industries, the legal industry does not suffer ups and downs with the economy but continues to grow.

 Employment Ontario expects job prospects to be GOOD over the next Five Years.

The legal profession continues to grow at a rate of about 900 new lawyers a year. Large law firms grow larger and are expanding across Canada and internationally with branch offices in Western Canada, England and America, across Europe and around the world (China/India/Australia). 

•     Isn’t it same as the Legal Administrative Assistant Diploma?

Legal Administrative Assistant programs are typically shorter and are more in the nature of glorified secretarial courses – mostly office skills with some legal courses added. 

Legal Administrative Assistant graduates will not be able to compete with Law Clerk graduates for the better paying jobs and would typically target firms that have less pay to offer.

•  I was thinking of offering the Paralegal Program – why should I consider Law Clerk?

Paralegal is a good choice for those who wish to establish an independent practice; and are prepared to make the necessary investment and assume associated financial and professional liability risks.

Law Clerks work very independently but under the supervision and licence of the lawyer who takes full legal responsibility. Unlike Paralegals, Law Clerks are NOT restricted from working in certain high value lucrative practice areas such as Real Estate, Family Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Wills & Estates Law, etc.

Law Clerks enjoy a much more stable work environment and family life.