Law Clerk
Program Overview
Humber’s Law Clerk diploma program provides in-depth training delivered by experienced professionals. Learn from practising lawyers and law clerks who will give you the inside scoop on the current trends and opportunities in the field. As a law clerk, working under the direct supervision of a lawyer, you will be an important part of the team that allows the lawyer to succeed.
Your law clerk education includes courses on contract, tort, real estate, corporate and family law, as well as in litigation, legal research, wills and estates, and more. Your solid knowledge on diverse areas of law, competence in a range of legal and court procedures, and strong written and oral communication skills will make you a valuable team player in the profession.
Semester 3 |
|---|
| LAWS 212: Legal Dockets and Records |
| LAWS 213: Corporate Law |
| LAWS 214: Litigation 2 |
| LAWS 216: Corporate Law Procedures |
| LAWS 223: Litigation Procedures |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| GNED : General Elective |
Semester 4 |
|---|
| LAWS 251: Field Experience - Law Clerk |
| LAWS 252: Debtor/Creditor |
| LAWS 253: Family Law |
| LAWS 255: Estates |
| LAWS 263: Family Law Procedures |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| GNED : General Elective |
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
- Support the needs of clients and legal professionals through the use of accurate terminology and professional communication strategies, both orally and in writing.
- Complete all work within routine and unexpected time lines and limitation periods within the legal environment.
- Use current and relevant electronic and print resources, within the legal environment, to conduct legal research, to assist with file and evidentiary management, to facilitate communication and generate legal documentation, complying with current regulations and procedures.
- Research and summarize the presenting legal issues, applying knowledge of substantive law, to support the legal team.
- Apply rules of procedure to support best legal practices.
Conduct oneself professionally in adherence to the guidelines of the Law Society of Ontario.
- Carry out clerical and administrative duties for the operation of a variety of legal environments.
- Outline strategies for ongoing professional development to ensure continuing competence as a Law Clerk.
- Act equitably and justly with diverse populations*.
- Provide support for legal professionals in courts and administrative tribunals within the legal system.
Work Placement
Students must complete a 120 hour work placement. The unpaid placement is completed during Semester 4. All courses from Semesters 1 to 3 must be completed before enrolling in the field placement. Working with the field placement advisor, students are actively involved in pursuing placement opportunities. In addition, students are expected to market themselves to prospective employers and are free to initiate their own placements.
The Humber Experience
The legal profession offers a unique mix of drama and regulation that facilitates a career of new challenges and learning. Whether you participate in a divorce negotiation, a bail hearing, the sale of a house, or a criminal case, Humber’s Law Clerk diploma program gives you the foundation to excel.
Is This Program Right For Me?
If you’re interested in taking this program but have no previous experience or knowledge of Canadian and Ontario law, don’t worry. While a background in law is a benefit in this program, it is not a requirement. Rather, ask yourself these questions if you are thinking about applying:
- Are you interested in working in the legal field?
- Do you have a desire to help others?
- Are you independent and able to work with little supervision?
- Are you detail-oriented?
- Do you have strong written and verbal communication skills?
If you answered yes to the above, then this program may be the right choice for you.
Three Reasons to Choose Humber
- Highly qualified faculty including practicing and non-practicing lawyers and law clerks.
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Hands-on training with the most up-to-date legal software.
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High quality work placements at leading law firms, governments or industry legal offices.
Gain Practical Experience
We want you to graduate from this program confident and career-ready. So, like many programs at Humber, our curriculum combines classroom learning with hands-on, practical projects to give students a well-rounded education. You’ll be introduced to, and become comfortable using, industry-standard legal software such as Teraview, Quicklaw, Westlaw, PCLaw, InForm, DivorceMate and Fast Company. Projects and assessments will sharpen your written communication skills, ensuring you will be able to transform information and instructions into a well-written and prepared format suitable for any legal procedure. And, through the required work placement, you’ll gain industry experience at prominent private law firm or government agency.
Learn From Industry Experts
As a student in this program, you will have the advantage of gaining a law clerk education from industry professionals. Our faculty is composed of practicing and non-practicing lawyers and law clerks with years of experience working within a number of specialties in the field. With a passion for teaching and their profession, the Law Clerk faculty prepares students to graduate from this program with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to impress potential employers.
Industry Partnerships
The two-year Law Clerk diploma program at Humber College is partnered with leading law firms, industry offices and government bodies throughout Ontario. Some of or industry partners include:
- Institute of Law Clerks Ontario
- Department of Justice Canada
- Ontario Court of Justice
- Ontario Rental House Tribunal
- Bogoroch & Associates
- First Canadian Title
- Minden Gross Title
Your Career
The verdict is in: Humber College’s Law Clerk diploma program is your best route to a fulfilling career in the legal field.
Employment prospects are excellent, as the Toronto legal sector employs more than half of Ontario’s law clerks. There are a significant number of opportunities to work as a law clerk or legal assistant at both public and private firms. In addition to law firms, you can also pursue law clerk opportunities in government agencies, courts, financial and insurance firms, real estate companies, and corporate head offices.
Under a lawyer’s direction, you’ll play a key role in supporting a legal practice by writing and performing administrative tasks including maintaining and filing corporate documents, completing real estate transactions, drafting contracts, conducting title searches, and engaging in legal research. In a litigation office, you’ll also have the opportunity to interview clients and witnesses, and accompany lawyers to meetings and court appearances.
Follow in the footsteps of past Law Clerk graduates who’ve been hired at organizations such as Goodman & Griffin, Morguard Trust, Legal Aid Ontario, City of Brampton, McMillan LLP, and First Canadian Title Insurance Company.
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario
Graduates may apply to become members of the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario.
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Related Programs
Program Availability
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
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On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
