Cecily Zamora
If you're thinking about what to do with a law degree in Canada, you're likely considering becoming a lawyer. To become a lawyer in Canada, you'll need to complete a law degree at a Canadian law school, pass the LSAT, and bar admission exams for the area where you plan to practice. There are 18 English-language common law schools in Canada, and most of them accept international students. The University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto are two examples of universities in Canada that offer law degrees. While a law degree is a great foundation for a career in law, it can also lead to careers in business, politics, journalism, or any other profession that requires strong oral and written communication skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Degree duration | 3-4 years |
| Degree type | Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor (JD), or equivalent |
| Admission requirements | Completion of undergraduate degree, LSAT score, GPA or CGPA score, community involvement, personal statement, and work experience |
| Law school considerations | Size, distance from home, specialization, student body and faculty composition, language of instruction, and philosophy |
| Career outcomes | Lawyer, professor, politician, CEO, mediator, arbitrator, union leader, agent, doctor, teacher, researcher, counsel, government worker |
| Additional considerations | Possibility of working and studying simultaneously, opportunity to gain practical experience during summers after second year |
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What You'll Learn
Law school admissions requirements
Secondly, taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is essential. This online test evaluates analytical, reasoning, and reading comprehension skills. A competitive LSAT score for Canadian law schools is generally 160 and above, although some schools may have lower requirements or waive the LSAT altogether, especially for French-taught programs.
Thirdly, law schools often require additional supporting documents, such as letters of recommendation, personal statements, and academic transcripts. Personal referees can also strengthen one's application. It is beneficial to showcase academic and career achievements in the personal statement, especially if other aspects of the application, such as GPA or LSAT scores, are less competitive.
Additionally, some law schools offer special programs or have specific requirements for certain groups, such as international students, minorities, or those with Indigenous lineage. For instance, the University of Saskatchewan offers a summer course to prepare Aboriginal students for law school.
Lastly, when choosing a law school, it is essential to consider factors such as the size of the school, its distance from your home, its specializations, the composition of the student body and faculty, and whether it offers courses in French. Different schools may prioritize academic performance or experience in their admissions criteria. It is advisable to review the admissions page of the specific law school to understand its unique requirements and offerings.
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Career options with a law degree
A law degree is a versatile qualification that opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some career options for those with a law degree in Canada:
Lawyer
To become a practising lawyer in Canada, one must complete a law degree from a recognised university, obtain a Bachelor of Laws degree, and pass the bar admission exams for the desired location of practice. Most law schools in Canada require applicants to have a high GPA or CGPA score and a good LSAT score. The LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, evaluates analytical, reasoning, and reading comprehension skills. While a four-year degree is standard, some universities may accept students with three years of undergraduate study and exceptional LSAT scores.
Researcher, Counsel, or Government Worker
Law graduates can also find work as researchers, counsellors, or government employees. These roles may involve working in an office setting, providing counsel to clients, conducting legal research, or advising government departments on legal matters.
Paralegal
For those who don't want to become a lawyer but are interested in the legal field, becoming a paralegal is a great option. A paralegal degree, such as the one offered at Humber College, can be a stepping stone to law school or a career in itself.
Non-Legal Careers
A law degree also provides a strong foundation for various non-legal careers. Law graduates can become professors, politicians, CEOs, mediators, arbitrators, union leaders, agents, doctors, or teachers. The skills acquired during a law degree, such as oral and written communication, logical reasoning, and problem-solving, are highly valued in business, politics, journalism, and other professions.
The career paths outlined above only scratch the surface of the possibilities available to law graduates in Canada. A law degree is a valuable asset that can lead to diverse and rewarding career options.
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The LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an integral part of the law school admission process in Canada (for common law programs only). It is a standardised test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) to assess the reading comprehension and logical reasoning skills of prospective law school candidates. The LSAT is designed to aid in predicting student success in law school and is considered the single best predictor of first-year performance. It is offered frequently in Canada, and candidates can take it at any accredited location in the country.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LSAC introduced the LSAT-Flex, an online proctored version of the test with three sections: logic games, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning. The LSAT-Flex is likely to continue being offered due to popular demand, providing flexibility for candidates to take the test from anywhere in the world.
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Articling and internships
To become a lawyer in Canada, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree. While there is no specific major required, most law schools in Canada require applicants to finish a bachelor's degree or a four-year undergraduate program. However, a three-year undergraduate degree is typically the minimum requirement for admission to law school.
After completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This standardized test evaluates your analytical, reasoning, and reading comprehension skills. It is recommended to prepare for the LSAT by taking prep courses or practice tests.
Once you have completed your bachelor's degree and taken the LSAT, you can apply to a law school of your choice. There are 18 English-language common law schools in Canada, with eight of them located in Ontario. When choosing a law school, consider factors such as the size of the school, its distance from your home, the type of law it specializes in, and the composition of the student body and faculty.
During your second summer in law school, you may want to consider applying for articling positions at law firms, government legal departments, or legal clinics. Articling provides valuable experience and helps you learn about different legal employers and practice areas. It also allows you to develop relationships with lawyers and gain insights into the day-to-day work of a lawyer.
In your third year of law school, you will have the opportunity to take on leadership roles in clubs or committees, work on specialized courses, and conduct in-depth research in your areas of interest. This is also the time when you will begin preparing for your bar admission exams, which you will write after completing law school.
After completing your law degree and passing the bar exams, you will need to complete articling or an internship. Articling is a period of practical training where you work under the supervision of a licensed lawyer or judge. It typically lasts for about 10 months and provides hands-on experience in legal research, drafting legal documents, and appearing in court.
During your articling term, you will be mentored and evaluated by experienced lawyers who will guide you in developing your legal skills and knowledge. Successful completion of articling and the bar exams will lead to your call to the bar, marking your official admission to the legal profession in Canada.
In summary, articling and internships are essential components of becoming a lawyer in Canada. They provide practical experience, allow you to apply your legal knowledge, and help you build valuable connections in the legal community. By successfully completing articling and internships, you will be well-prepared for a rewarding career as a lawyer.
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The Canadian legal system
To become a lawyer in Canada, you must first complete an undergraduate degree. While some degrees require four years, Canadian law schools require a minimum of three years of full-time study. There is no specific area of study required, and your bachelor's degree does not need to be law-related or from the same university where you'll be studying law. However, certain subjects are well-established launching pads for a career in law, including political science, sociology, English, philosophy, and communication studies.
The next step is to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), which evaluates your analytical, reasoning, and reading comprehension skills. This test is typically taken one or two years before the deadline for admissions, and most schools do not require a minimum LSAT score.
When choosing a law school, there are several factors to consider, such as the size of the school, its distance from your home, the type of law it specializes in, and whether it offers courses or degrees in French. There are 18 English-language common law schools in Canada, eight of which are in Ontario. Most Canadian law schools require applicants to reach a certain GPA or CGPA score, in addition to their LSAT scores.
After gaining admission to a law school, you will complete your law degree, which typically takes four years. During this time, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience by working in law firms, government legal departments, or legal clinics. In your third year, you can take on leadership roles in clubs or committees and work on specialized research papers.
Upon completing your law degree, you will need to pass the bar admission exams for the area where you plan to practice. The entire process, from starting your undergraduate degree to becoming a practicing lawyer, can take around seven years and ten months if there are no delays.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many career paths one can take with a law degree in Canada. Aside from becoming a lawyer, one can become a professor, politician, CEO, mediator, arbitrator, union leader, agent, doctor, or teacher.
Most law schools in Canada require applicants to have a bachelor's degree or at least three years of an undergraduate degree. Some schools may require a four-year degree. It is also necessary to take the LSAT, which evaluates analytical, reasoning, and reading comprehension skills.
When choosing a law school in Canada, consider the size of the school, its distance from your home, the type of law it specializes in, the composition of the student body and faculty, whether it offers programs in French, and the school's philosophy.
The first year of law school in Canada will focus on teaching the basics of the Canadian legal system. In the summer after the second year, students often work in law firms, government legal departments, or legal clinics to gain experience and explore different legal employers. In the third year, students can take on leadership roles in clubs or committees, enroll in exchange programs, and work on specialized courses and research papers.
After graduating from law school, individuals must pass the bar admission exams for the area where they plan to practice law. They may also need to complete articling, which involves working under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
