Law Clerk - Canadore CollegeCriminal Justice Education in CanadaCrime and Fire Programs -- Community College Programs
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Law Clerk - Canadore College 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.' Members of ILCO are provided with continuing education opportunities, a network of fellow professional law clerks, and a newsletter regarding the law clerk profession. 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, Canadore College's 2-year Law Clerk diploma program provides students with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a wide range of careers, career advancement, or further education in the legal field. Participants will learn in small classes through a 'hands-on approach' as well as 'one-on-one assistance' that 'will ensure that each student has the opportunity to succeed to their fullest potential.' The Program will include 'a comprehensive introduction to' the various areas of 'Canadian law' most applicable to the law clerk profession, including civil litigation, corporate and commercial law, criminal law, estate law, family law, real estate law. Moreover, learners will be equipped with the abilities in the 'general office administration and information technology' required 'to succeed in both traditional legal careers and non-traditional careers.' During the final semester qualifying students will have the opportunity to practice and apply what they have learned to real-world situations via 3-week work experience placements in relevant settings such as 'in law firms, legal departments, courts, and other law related work sites.' The Placements will be 'subject to the availability of suitable' employers; previous placements have occurred in community legal clinics, insurance companies, Legal Aid, numerous law firms, paralegal firms, political parties or offices, and Revenue Canada. Upon successful completion of the Program and at least 'six consecutive months of qualifying employment, a law clerk may become a member of the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario.' Law clerks who garner further experience and pass qualifying exams may become an Associate or Fellow member of ILCO. 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 corporate legal departments, financial institutions, insurance companies, law firms, legal technology providers, title insurance companies, and various levels of governments. According to the College, upwards of 92 percent of graduates find employment in their chosen fields. 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 in the legal field at various institutes, colleges, and universities, often with advanced standing. To be eligible for admission to the Program, applicants from the old Ontario Secondary School Curriculum must possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 'at or above the general level or its equivalent' including Grade 12 English or equivalent. Applicants from the new Curriculum must possess an OSSD 'with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/ College (M), or Open (O) preparation levels,' including 'Grade 12 Compulsory English (ENG 4C or ENG 4U).' Prospective students who not possess any of the aforementioned credentials and who 19 years of age or over and are residents of Ontario may apply via "mature student status,' and 'will be considered on the basis of their results on the College's Mature Student Test.' An applicants who has successfully completed at least one 'introductory law course in high school' is eligible for 'transfer credits' towards the Diploma program if he/she has completed 'either CLU3M Understanding Canadian Law or CLN4U Canadian and International Law with a final grade of 60 % (a ôCö grade) or better, and' earns 'a score of 60% or better on our JUS100 Challenge exam.' A student meeting both of the aforementioned 'requirements will be exempted from taking JUS100 Introduction to Canadian Law in first semester,' and 'the transfer credit will be included in the total credits earned by the student.' However, grades will 'not assigned to the transfer credit and the transfer credit is not calculated in the studentÆs grade point average.'
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