Becoming a lawyer in Canada is one of the dreams of many Canadian students. Although the process is quite strenuous, in some cases, the reward is invaluable. You will need to earn your bachelor’s degree, attend law school, and take provincial bar courses and articles before you can fully practice as a lawyer in Canada.
If you are thinking about how to become a lawyer in Canada, you will need to consider certain things and take certain steps. If not, you might give up along the line. However, this article will help you learn the practical steps to take to become a lawyer in Canada, as well as understand what it is like to study law in Canada and how lucrative the career is, among others Law Tutor.
What is it like to study law in Canada?
Students studying law in Canada can choose to study in different specializations/subjects, such as international law, commercial law, cause and effect law, intellectual property law or environmental law.
Additionally, Canada has numerous influential law universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Calgary, University of St. Thomas, Cambrian College, Western University, and University of Alberta, among others. These schools have prestige, both inside and outside Canada.
Finally, if you are studying law in Canada, you will receive training in vital professional skills, including communication, analytical and critical thinking, and extensive knowledge.
What is law as a profession in Canada?
Without a doubt, law is a very noble profession. It is a field with a reputation for establishing honor and integrity. Therefore, if you have dubious intentions, you should not venture into the profession.
Additionally, most law degrees help clients manage their legal matters in the areas of their personal or business interests. Professionals in the field of law prepare legal documents, create contracts, and defend cases in court.
Steps to become a lawyer in Canada
If you are wondering what steps you need to take to become a lawyer in Canada, we help you break them down:
#1. Acquire a Bachelor’s Degree
After your secondary education, the first step to becoming a lawyer in Canada is to obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Interestingly, the bachelor’s degree must have no legal background. It could be from any educational level.
So whether it’s a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), you can get into a Canadian law school. However, you may choose to study a more related course such as political science, criminology and policing, among others, to give you a solid perspective on the law.
It is also imperative to know that your law school application will be more substantial with a four-year undergraduate program than with any lower program. You can consult Canadian law schools’ admission guidelines regarding undergraduate education in the Official LSAC Guide to Canadian Law Schools .
#2. Take the Law School Admission Test
Once you have completed your undergraduate degree and before you can attend law school, you will need to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). It is important to note that Quebec-based law schools do not require the LSAT; however, there is no harm in taking it.
The test is usually done any time of the year, at least eight times. Plus, it’s easier for you to apply online. After that, you can take the LSAT at any of the testing locations in Canada.
There are three key areas tested on the LSAT and they are reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. You should also make available a writing sample on a particular topic. You will receive this topic with your application along with your LSAT score.
Furthermore, your LSAT score will be in the range of 120 to 180 and you will receive a percentile depending on other applicants who also wrote the LSAT at the time you took it. Surprisingly, you have the option to write the test again if you don’t agree with your score. But to be more sure, you should check with the law school you are applying to. This is because their rules regarding accepting multiple scores may be different.
#3. Choose the Right Law School
As soon as you have finished your bachelor’s degree and taken the LSAT, the next step is to choose a law school. In Canada, there are over 20 law schools you can choose from. So, you can do enough research and comparison here about each of them and choose the most suitable one for you. Your main focus should be on the average number of applicants, tuition, application fee, school size, application requirements, distance from your residence, etc.
#4. Complete the application form
After selecting the school of your choice, you should prepare to fill out the application form. Although schools may have different admission requirements, they have common requirements. Therefore, you must provide your academic transcripts, LSAT scores, application fee, letters of recommendation, and personal statement.
#5. attend law school
If you have made it this far, we congratulate you. Again, to qualify for bar membership in Canada, you will need to obtain a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctorate (JD). Additionally, both take three years to complete.