Law School in Canada Overview and Recent Developments
Law schools in Canada welcome applications from students around the globe and take into account multiple criteria when reviewing applications – academic performance and personal statement are key considerations, while community involvement, work experience and references also matter greatly.
Some universities provide programs that assist Aboriginal and minority students as they pursue legal careers, including Indigenous law clinic courses and moot courts.
Legal Education in Canada
Over the last decade, legal education has undergone dramatic transformation. Two new Canadian law schools (Thompson Rivers University and Lakehead) opened for business this past year while Ryerson plans on opening later in 2017.
One striking change has been the staggering rise of foreign-trained lawyers seeking to qualify in Canada as “Canadian”. While some Canadian lawyers might complain about these students entering the profession or assert that Law Societies should admit fewer, most remain blissfully unaware that globalization is altering how their firms do business.
Law schools are adapting their legal educations to adapt with changing client and professional demands, by offering programs such as law clinics that combine academic and practical training; semester-long intensives where students gain substantive legal skills while helping people in need; and moots (similar to academic debates but specific to law) where students engage in specific legal debates. They also offer courses designed to build interpersonal, analytical and writing abilities needed for practice.
Admission Requirements
Law school applicants in Canada should understand that competition for entry to top law schools can be fierce. Therefore, applicants should possess an outstanding GPA and score on the LSAT (a standardized test designed to measure certain skills relevant to studying law).
Many institutions also take into account factors like specialized degrees, community involvement and work experience when selecting students to enroll in law programs. Although this doesn’t directly indicate each applicant’s abilities to study law, these can provide more information for evaluation by admissions committees.
Many law schools require their applicants to complete at least a bachelor’s degree, such as a BA, BSc, BComm, BMus or BEng degree, so as to establish a strong educational base upon which they can build.
Bar Exams
Law schools in Canada are responsible for teaching students the subject matter necessary to pass the bar exam, while provincial law societies ensure legal services are provided by qualified lawyers.
The University of Ottawa Faculty of Law offers students a selection of courses to complement their legal studies. For instance, first year law students can enroll in corporate law as part of their first-year studies – providing an early introduction into this area of law.
Other unique aspects of the program include an emphasis on law and society and access to legal clinic courses and moot courts – which allow for hands-on learning experiences and give students a headstart in preparation for life in legal workplace.
The law school is committed to fostering equity, diversity and inclusion within its educational programs. Students from marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply, with scholarships and financial assistance available – this includes indigenous students as well as those from communities experiencing social or economic barriers to education.
Career Opportunities
An undergraduate law degree can open doors to various careers. An attorney might work for the government, corporate law firms, or in private practice; alternatively they could even consider becoming professors of law.
To gain admission into a good law school, an individual should possess high grades and score well on the LSAT exam. Additional factors considered for admission may include specialization degrees, work experience, community involvement and personal statements.
Law students are taught by professors with strong academic backgrounds, including extensive research and publications. Many also possess working experience in the legal field that gives them insight into what it takes to thrive as lawyers – something which they use to help guide their students effectively. Many law schools boast top-of-the-line programs in legal research and education – making them invaluable resources for future lawyers.
