Law Clerk - Sir Sandford Fleming CollegeCriminal Justice Education in CanadaCrime and Fire Programs -- Community College Programs
PROGRAM WEBSITE
Law Clerk - Sir Sandford Fleming 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, Sir Sandford Fleming College's 2-year Law Clerk diploma program provides students with the knowledge and skill required to pursue a career, career advancement, and/or further education in the legal field, and related areas, particularly in the law clerk profession. The Program's first semester curriculum is shared with the College's other Law and Justice programs and provides learners with an introduction to criminal justice through such courses as 'Language for Law and Justice, Introduction to the Canadian Justice System, and Sociology as a Second Language.' The first semester also provides students with an opportunity to examine different career options in criminal justice and the legal field. Upon successful completion of the first semester, participants may transfer to another Law and Justice program or proceed wit the Law Clerk diploma. The final three semesters of the Law Clerk program will specialize on equipping learners with 'the skills specific to a law clerk career, with such courses as Business and Contract Law, Introduction to Civil Procedures, Legal Research and Writing, Landlord and Tenant Law, Family Law, Creditor and Debtor Law, Title Searching, Wills and Estates, Evidence, and Advocacy.' During the final semester of the Program, qualifying students will have the opportunity to apply and practice what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations via a 100-hour work experience placement 'in legal settings, such as law offices, government agencies, legal clinics, private corporations, paralegal firms, courts or Crown offices.' The Placement 'extends beyond the 15-week semester and is usually done following completion of your final academic semester.' Upon successful completion of the Program, graduates will be eligible for membership into ILCO. Moreover, 'Law Clerk program shares three semesters with the Court and Tribunal Agent program.' As a result, graduates of the Law Clerk program may take an 'additional semester of study and receive a second diploma in the Court and Tribunal Agent program.' 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 of up to 60 credits, or 2 years. For example, graduates can take advantage of one of the College's three existing transfer agreements and earn a related degree at Athabasca University, Ryerson University, or University of Ontario Institute of Technology. To be eligible for the Program, applicants must possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 'with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including two English credits in the College (C) stream.' Individuals 'who do not possess an OSSD, but who will be 19 years of age before the commencement of classes, and 'can demonstrate potential for success in college studies' may apply via "mature student status." The latter, however, 'will be required to write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test.' Prospective students who have graduated university are eligible for 'direct entry into second semester of this program,' and can this 'graduate in as little as 12 months.'
TOP |
|
