Law Clerk - Seneca College of Applied Arts and TechnologyCriminal Justice Education in CanadaCrime and Fire Programs -- Community College Programs
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Law Clerk - Seneca 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.' 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, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology's 2-year Law Clerk diploma program will provide students with the knowledge and skill to become law clerks able 'to assist lawyers in private law offices and in the legal departments of government and industry.' The Program will include a focus on those areas of Canadian law most applicable to the law clerk profession including most applicable to the law clerk profession, including corporate and commercial law, criminal law, estate law, family law, litigation, real estate law. Moreover, learners will be equipped with 'an understanding of the general principles of law and receive specific training in the skills appropriate for law clerks.' Upon successful completion of the Program, graduates will be eligible to become an associate level member of ILCO. During the final semester qualifying students will have the opportunity to practice and apply what they have learned to real-world situations, and gain 'practical experience,' via 'an unpaid field placement' at a relevant setting, such as a law firm. In addition to completing all required courses, to graduate, students must be able to type at least 30 words per minute (WPM) by 'the end of first semester,' 40 WPM by 'the end of second semester,' 45 WPM 'the end of third semester,' and 50 WPM by the scheduled time of graduation. 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. For example, graduates can take advantage of one of the College's four transfer agreements relating to the Law Clerk program and work towards a related degree with advanced standing of up to 60 credits, or 2 years. These Agreements exist with Algoma University, Athabasca University, Tyndale University College, and York University. To be eligible for admission to Program, applicants must have an 'Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the College Preparation (C), University Preparation (U) or University/College Preparation (M) level,' including 'Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U). Students who do not possess the aforementioned credentials and who are 19 years of age or older may apply under "mature student status." Although not required for admission, the College recommends that prospective applicants complete Grade 12 Mathematics (C) or (U), or equivalent, and achieve 'a high degree of computer literacy and keyboarding skills at 50' words per minute.
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