Law Clerk - Algonquin College of Applied Arts and TechnologyCriminal Justice Education in CanadaCrime and Fire Programs -- Community College Programs
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Law Clerk - Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology Incorporated in 1968, the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario (ILCO) constitutes 'the professional organization for Law Clerks' that seeks to provide 'an organized network for the promotion of unity, cooperation and mutual assistance among Law Clerks in Ontario,' as well as 'advance and protect the status and interests of the profession.' ILCO also provides and promotes 'general and legal education to its members for the purpose of increasing their knowledge, efficiency and professional ability.' As ILCO states, a Law Clerk is an individual employed or retained, in functions and/or capacities involving administrative, managerial, and/or 'specifically-delegated substantive legal work,' by governmental and/or judiciary agencies and agents, including court judges, law firms, lawyers, and/or other entities. For instance, law clerks working for a lawyer in a corporate setting are usually in charge of completing certain transactions, like in real estate, conducting searches and research, drafting contracts and correspondences, and maintaining, managing, and filing corporate documents and files. On the other hand, law clerks employed in a litigation firm often accompany the lawyer to meetings and court appearances, conduct research, file documents with the courts, and interview clients and witness. Law Clerks acquire qualification 'through education, training or work experience,' and will typically require 'sufficient knowledge of legal concepts' in order to perform any delegated legal work 'that, in the absence of a law clerk, the lawyer would perform.' To be successful as a law clerk, an individual will require strong communication, human relations, inter-personal, literacy, and organizational abilities as well as be able to work under pressure, detail-oriented, and observant. Combining theoretical and practical education, Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology's 2-year Law Clerk diploma program will 'prepare graduates for employment as law clerks/legal assistants who are able to do independent legal work under the general direction of a lawyer.' The Program is delivered via 'four levels of 16 weeks each' during which participants will 'take a cross-section of courses in the different types of law: property, family, landlord and tenant, corporate, civil procedures and intellectual property.' These courses will be supplemented with classes that will equip learners with 'the skills necessary to work in an office environment, such as accounting, word processing and effective communication.' During the fourth level of the Program, students will have the opportunity to practice and apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations while 'working in a law office.' The Diploma is offered on a full-time basis at the Woodroffe Campus and on a part-time schedule through the School of Part-time Studies. Graduates of the Program can pursue careers, career advancement, or further education in the legal field and related areas of the criminal justice system. Career-wise, graduates are often hired as law clerks by law firms, legal departments of various corporations, financial institutions, and levels of government. Individuals with a criminal record may find it difficult to obtain employment in this field as, because of the nature of the work, many employers may be reluctant to hire those who have a criminal history. Graduates can also pursue further education at various institutes, colleges, and universities, often with advanced standing. To be eligible for admission to the Diploma program, applicants should have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, and Grade 12 English (ENG4C or equivalent). Prospective students having earned an OSSD with 'senior English and/or mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission.' Individuals who do not have a high school diploma and are 19 years of age or older may apply via "mature student status;" however, the latter may be required to write an academic achievement test before a decision regarding their respective applications is made. Although not required for admission, 'students are expected to have basic computer keyboarding skills.'
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