CAREER PROGRAM THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS PROGRAM

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1 CAREER THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS

2 CAREER ITLP Career Program Helping you launch your legal career To get your legal career in Canada off the ground you ll need to do more than just meet the academic requirements. Understanding the workplace, knowing where to start your job search and learning how to build your network are also essential to your success. How can you make your background as an internationally trained lawyer an asset to a prospective employer? What does a good resume or cover letter look like in Canada? What do you need to know about the Canadian workplace and culture that could affect your job search? If you have questions such as these on your mind, the Career Program offered by the Internationally Trained Lawyers Program (ITLP) is tailor-made for you. This part-time, one-year long program has been created specifically to help internationally trained lawyers and international law graduates enhance their career development skills and launch their legal careers in Canada. Through a variety of learning formats that include classes and workshops, practical work opportunities, networking events and one-on-one career counselling, you will: learn about the Canadian legal environment; gain a better understanding of the Canadian workplace culture, communication practices and language skills; meet people and begin developing your professional network; and have the opportunity to apply for short-term, practical work opportunities. hat to expect What to expect in and outside the classroom Part-time The Career Program is a part-time program offered over one year, starting each May. Career classes, workshops, practical work opportunities, and individual career counselling sessions take place weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Some special events may be held after hours during the week. Three online courses are also available for you to complete on your own time. 1 Career Program

3 building A focus on building your career development skills Through a variety of formats - including classes, networking events, career panels, special events, group workshops, online learning and individual career counselling - the ITLP Career Program will help you enhance your career development skills. What will you learn in these many different forums? Insights into the Canadian legal environment You will be introduced to the legal profession in Canada: What is the role of the various governing bodies such as the law societies and accreditation committee? How do you become a licensed lawyer? How can you put your background as an internationally trained lawyer to work for you as you seek new opportunities in Canada? These are but some of the topics you ll cover as you learn about the Canadian legal workplace. An understanding of workplace culture and communication In a series of three online courses you will be introduced to the nuances of the Canadian workplace culture and conduct, and will have an opportunity to assess and improve your own language and communication skills. How to put together your resume and prepare for an interview You will develop and refine your resume and cover letter with input from career coaches and lawyers. You will enhance your interview skills and perfect the art of networking. And you ll get to practise these skills with other ITLP students, instructors and local legal professionals. A personalized career development plan Through one-on-one assessments and career coaching with an experienced career counsellor you will learn how to undertake employer research. You will also develop a personalized action plan that advances your goals based on the types of employment and workplaces that are best suited to your individual interests and abilities. How to apply Complete the online form available at itlp.utoronto.ca/application The ITLP Career Program is one of the best ways for internationally trained law graduates to gain a proper foothold in the Canadian legal market. The program equips students with the practical elements necessary for writing competitive CVs and the soft skills to ensure their success in fostering strong professional relationships. The knowledgeable and committed staff at the ITLP Career Program provide a supportive presence in ensuring law students find professional success after academia. Christopher Chu ITLP Student-at-law, David G. Bayliss Professional Corporation An opportunity for practical experience You will have the opportunity to apply for on-the-job experience with local legal employers. These practical, unpaid work opportunities can range from short internships, to job shadowing, to assisting on a legal project or undertaking legal research, and are a great opportunity to build your skills and network. Although placements are not guaranteed and depend on the availability of opportunities at the time, we strive to ensure that all students will have a practical work experience during their year in the Career Program. Career Program 2

4 CAREER Is this the right program for you? The ITLP Career Program has a very specific focus: To help internationally trained lawyers and international law graduates enhance their career development skills and take the next step in their legal careers. The Career Program does not provide academic support for the accreditation challenge exams and therefore is best suited for students who have completed accreditation requirements (or are completing them on their own) and need support in implementing their legal career goals. ligibility Eligibility criteria We enthusiastically welcome all internationally trained lawyers and international law graduates seeking career support wherever they are in the accreditation or licensing process. All applicants should have a good command of the English language. 3 Career Program

5 I found out about the ITLP program fairly late and could not join the full ITLP program. But the Career Program was probably the right option, because it provided me with a lot of information on what I needed to do to get admitted [to the Bar] and pointed me in the right direction on the career front... I did get my first job (as a document review lawyer ) through the Career Program. For me, this program was a good, positive experience. Angelina Lai Called to the Bar in Ontario & Hong Kong ITLP Barrister & Solicitor Important website links For more information on the ITLP Career Program go to: itlp.utoronto.ca/programs/ career-program Information on other ITLP programs, as well as links to information on admissions, financial aid and tuition can be found at itlp.utoronto.ca itlp.utoronto.ca Career Program 4

6 CAREER The Internationally Trained Lawyers Program: An Overview A unique program tailored to your unique needs If you are a foreign-trained lawyer or an international law graduate who wants to practise law in Canada - but are unsure of where to start - the Internationally Trained Lawyers Program (ITLP) at the University of Toronto is tailor-made for you. The ITLP is designed to bridge your past to your future - and to help you prepare for the two major steps you need to take to get there: becoming accredited; and becoming licensed, a multi-step process that can take from two to four years to complete. And because no two lawyers or law graduates have the same needs, goals and backgrounds, the ITLP offers you a choice of four different full- or part-time programs, each designed to help you transition successfully into a legal career in Canada. ecoming a lawyer Steps to becoming a licensed lawyer 1 Accreditation - Obtain a Certificate of Qualification (1-2 years) You must apply to the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) to have your credentials and experience (academic and professional) assessed. The NCA will determine what you must do to obtain a Certificate of Qualification, including the areas in which you need to demonstrate competence (through challenge exams or law school courses). Once you have completed those steps, you can apply for your NCA Certificate of Qualification which in turn will allow you to move to the next step: applying to the Bar admission/licensing process in the Canadian province or territory of your choice. ITLP programs to consider The Comprehensive Program is a one-year full-time immersion in Canadian law, legal technology, career skills, workplace culture and communication. It also provides an opportunity to apply for on-the-job experience through a three-month unpaid internship in a law-related workplace. The academic component is built around the five NCA core subjects, as well as other areas of law, ensuring you are well prepared to write the required NCA exams. This program is suitable for internationally trained lawyers and international law graduates and includes elements of many of the part-time programs also offered by the ITLP. OR The NCA Review Program (NCAR) focuses on helping students prepare for and write the NCA Challenge Exams in specific areas of law. Students can choose which NCA subjects they wish to take. The NCAR is a part-time program that complements the timing of the NCA exam schedule, and is also available on-line for distance learners. 5 Career Program

7 I enrolled in the Career Program because I wanted to have some professional training background in Canada, and to establish networking relationships with other legal professionals. The program is wonderful and indeed helped me achieve my goals. Susan Liu Called to the Bar in Ontario and China ITLP Barrister & Solicitor, Sorbara Law 2 Obtain a license to practise law from the Law Society (1-2 years) To become an Ontario-licensed lawyer, you must complete a set of licensing exams (Bar exams) and a Professional Responsibility online course set by the Law Society of Upper Canada (the governing body for lawyers in Ontario). As well you must article, that is, work as an intern for 10 months for a Law Society-approved employer or complete the Law Society s Law Practice Program (LPP). Some students qualify for an articling abridgement or exemption. Only then can you apply to the Law Society to be called to the Bar and become a licensed Ontario lawyer. ITLP programs to consider The Bar Exam Prep Course (BEPC) is an intensive, two-week course that prepares you to write the Barrister and Solicitor Law Society-required exams that students must pass to become licensed as a lawyer in Ontario. You can attend classes in-person and it is also available on-line as a live webcast or as a taped recording. Launch your legal career If you need help developing career and job search skills - but do not want the academic and other supports available in other ITLP programs - we have a program for you. The Career Program is a part-time program that offers one-on-one career counselling, learning about career-relevant subjects such as the legal environment and workplace culture, resume writing and preparing for an interview, as well as practical work opportunities. The ITLP will give you the foundation on which to build your future Canadian legal career with confidence. Career Program 6

8 THE UNIQUE BENEFITS OF THE ITLP A track record of success More than 77% of graduates who responded to our survey, reported that they successfully completed their NCA requirements. And almost 80% of graduates who responded to our survey, reported that they were employed as a lawyer or in a law-related profession. Overwhelmingly, they credit the ITLP program with providing the focus and guidance to fulfill their dreams of a legal career in Canada. A world-class program in a world-class university The ITLP is a program of the University of Toronto s Faculty of Law - one of the world s leading law schools and a magnet for this country s leading legal minds, students and faculty alike. The university itself is a world-renowned institution, consistently ranked as the best Canadian university and among the top 20 in the world. It offers students a wide range of resources including firstclass libraries. Located in the heart of the great city of Toronto, the ITLP puts you in the centre of the action - close to the city s commercial core, its federal and provincial courts and its many cultural and entertainment venues that reflect the diversity of the city. Moreover, as one of Canada s oldest universities, the U of T s green campus offers an oasis of calm in one of the world s major international cities. A faculty of leading law practitioners You will be taught by members of the university s law faculty as well as senior members of the Bar and bench in Ontario, ensuring not only first-class instruction but also a lively intellectual community in which to debate and discuss. A network of exceptional colleagues from around the world As an ITLP student, you will be part of a unique network of some of the world s brightest and best. Your colleagues will come from more than 40 countries and speak on average three languages. More than 75 per cent are already licensed to practise law in another country, and many have worked in a law-related occupation. Like you, they are highly motivated, talented, and passionate about joining the Canadian legal community. A dedicated professional team Whether it s the ITLP team who administer the program, or the Career Advisor who guides your job search, or any of the other professionals you will encounter in the ITLP program, you ll quickly realize this is a very special group of people committed to helping facilitate your transition into the legal workplace in Canada. A flexible approach to learning Our programs are available in a variety of formats for in-class and distance learners. For more information ITLP programs in detail Detailed information on each ITLP program is available at: itlp.utoronto.ca/programs Admissions criteria, applications For information on admissions criteria and eligibility for each of the four ITLP programs, and for application information, go to: itlp.utoronto.ca/admissionseligibility Financial aid, tuition For information on bursaries and loans, and tuition costs, go to: itlp.utoronto.ca/tuitionfinancial-aid Becoming a lawyer in Canada Links to information on the licensing process, and how to become a lawyer are at: itlp.utoronto.ca/practise-lawin-canada ENROLL IN OUR COMPREHENSIVE OR SELECT ONLY WHAT YOU NEED: THE CAREER, THE NCA REVIEW OR THE BAR EXAM PREP COURSE. COMPREHENSIVE THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS CAREER THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS NCA REVIEW THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS BAR EXAM PREP COURSE THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS COMPREHENSIVE CAREER NCA REVIEW BAR EXAM PREP COURSE