Paralegal

Begin your path to a career as a paralegal. The Paralegal Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you to apply to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) to become a licensed paralegal. This program is offered in three consecutive semesters followed by a mandatory 120-hour field placement and is accredited by the LSO. It prepares you for a career in which you provide legal services to the public in specified areas of practice. Learn in a hands-on environment, acquiring practical skills from experienced and dedicated faculty. Study areas of law that are relevant to the type of work a licensed paralegal can perform, as governed by the LSO. You learn about case management and trial preparation in areas such as:

• small claims court proceedings
• provincial offences and summary conviction matters
• proceedings before administrative tribunals

Complete hands-on activities, including participating in mock trials. Learn about ethics, professional responsibility and the requirements of running a legal services firm. Benefit from completing a field placement lasting more than 100 hours. This gives you the opportunity to practise your skills and apply your knowledge to a real work environment. For more information about becoming a licensed paralegal, visit https://lso.ca/becoming-licensed/paralegal-licensing-process. Once licensed, you may find employment in:

• private and public sector law departments
• paralegal or law firms
• government agencies
• community legal clinics
• administrative tribunals, or
• you may become a self-employed legal services provider.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Are highly analytical and attentive to detail.
• Exhibit integrity and have a high standard of ethics.
• Are flexible, organized, effective at time management and able to prioritize tasks.
• Possess an entrepreneurial attitude.