So You Want to be a Lawyer, Eh?

University

Complete a Bachelors Degree Usually a 4 year degree It doesn’t matter what you study in undergrad. Law schools

accept students from diverse backgrounds

Get good marks Most schools look for students with at least an 80% average Usually the best 3 of 4 years, so one bad year won’t ruin your

chances

Get involved Part-time jobs, volunteer work, internships and extra-

curricular activities will boost your application

LSAT

Standardized test that examines your reasoning skills It is not a knowledge test Scored on an adjusted scale from 120-180

It is required by most North American law schools Gives the schools a way of assessing applicants uniformly

Consists of five 35-minute multiple choice sections (one of which is experimental) and a writing sample

Scored Sections: Two Logical Reasoning (arguments) Reading Comprehension Analytical Reasoning (logic games)

Preparing for the LSAT

Practice, Practice, Practice!Start studying at least 12 months before you

want to start law school Law school applications are due in the fall of the year

before you want to start LSAT tests are administered 4 times a year (June,

September/October, December, February)You can take the test multiple time, but a

maximum of 3 times in 2 yearsYou can take a prep course

They are expensive ($600-1500), so you should try the test on your own first

Applying to Law Schools

Research 6 Ontario schools: U of T, Osgoode, Western, Queens,

Windsor, Ottawa (common law/civil law) Every school has its own admission policy out-of-province/ international law schools

Get your documents together Personal statement Transcripts Sketch/resume LSAT Score Reference letters*

Submit your application OLSAS Application Due at the Beginning of November

You’re In!!!!!!

Law School

3 Years of school Teaches you how to think like a lawyer

Case method Core courses in first year, electives in upper year You don’t have to decide what area of law you want to specialize in

Combined Programs JD/MBA JD/MSW JD/MGA JD/MA (crim, english, philo, Eurasian) JD/PHD (poli sci/philo)

Extra-Curricular Programs Clinics, journals, clubs, special projects

2L Summer Jobs

Bar Exam and Articling

Bar Exam Administered by the Law Society of Upper Canada in June,

November, and March Barrister and Solicitor Exams tests whether the graduate is

qualified to practice law Each jurisdiction (province, state, country) has its own exam

• Articling 10 months working under a lawyer in order to gain and

further develop practical skills Like an apprenticeship Rotations

litigation, corporate/commercial, ADR

• Call to the Bar

Congratulations!!!!!

LawyerOther Law-related Careers

It takes at least 7 years to become a lawyer

Law school is hard work and expensive

Lawyers are well-paid, but they work long and hard hours

Not everyone who goes to law school ends up practicing as a lawyer

Law clerkParalegalCourt ReporterPolice OfficerBorder AgentSocial WorkerLaw TeacherPolitician

Careers in Law

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