Law Clerk (Co-op) - Niagara CollegeCriminal Justice Education in CanadaCrime and Fire Programs -- Community College Programs
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Law Clerk (Co-op) - Niagara 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, Niagara College's 2-year, 5-semester Law Clerk (Co-op) 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. The primary goal of the Program is to graduate students with 'a solid grounding in legal basics, a high degree of attention to detail and the capacity to perform well in a demanding work environment,' as well as being up-to-date on the latest 'legal technology.' Moreover, the Program will include a focus on the various areas of Canadian law that are most applicable to the law clerk profession, including civil litigation, corporate and commercial law, criminal law, estate law, family law, real estate law. Students will also be provided with the opportunity to apply and practice what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations via '650 hours of paid co-op experience.' The latter will also provide students with an opportunity to hone and further their law clerk-relevant skills and make contact with potential employers for after graduation. Upon successful completion of the Program, graduates will be eligible for membership to ILCO; graduates can also continue their respective studies at the College 'in alternative dispute resolution.' 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. 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 into the Program, must have an 'Ontario Secondary School Diploma with the majority of the senior level courses at the College (C), University (U) or University/College (M) levels, OR Grade 12 Equivalency, OR mature student status,' and 'Grade 12 English (C) or (U), or Grade 12 English (minimum General Level).' The College recommends that applicants complete 'Understanding Canadian Law-Grade 11 (M), Canadian Politics and Citizenship-Grade 11 (O), Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology-Grade 11 (M), and Challenge and Change in Society-Grade 12 (M).' Furthermore, for College courses where 'prior academic performance' is required, only 'the most senior final grade level available at the time of selection' will be used. Applicants may also be subject to 'testing or other supplemental evaluation' before a final decision of their respective applications is made.
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