Law Clerk Program Outline

(Please note that programs may be changed or upgraded to meet the demands of industry without notice)

Core Legal Courses:

A. General Law Office Practice (40 hours)

• Day to day procedures unique to a legal office environment
• Records management

B. Wills and Power of Attorney (40 hours)

• Overview of legal principles
• Preparation and execution of a will
• Administration of an estate

C. Real Estate Law (40 hours)

• Purchase and sale documentation
• Forms of land ownership in Ontario
• Exposure to relevant software

D. Civil Litigation (60 hours)

• Introduction to Ontario court system
• Rules of Court
• Processing of a civil action

E. Family Law (40 hours)

• Drafting,  preparation and execution of domestic contracts
• Divorce proceeding

F. Corporate and Commercial Law (40 hours) 

• Forms of business ownership
• Steps required to incorporate
• Personal Property Security Act

G. Law Office Software (40 hours)

• Software used in a modern law office
• Record keeping, real estate, family law, wills and estates

Administrative and Productivity Skills:

Computer Essentials and Keyboarding (40 hours)

• Introduction to computer operations, operating system basics, disk structures and keyboarding.
• Basic computer hardware operation; information sharing and customization.
• Windows graphical user interface; basic touch-typing techniques (alphanumeric keyboard)
• Effective file management
• Obtain touch typing skills with a goal of 45 words per minute before graduation.

Microsoft Word Level 1 and Level 2  (60 hours)

• Process and edit text; create letters, envelopes and labels; use editing and writing tools.
• Use editing and writing tools; use character, paragraph and page formatting features.
• Practical workplace applications; sections, page numbers, headers and footers.
• Create and format tables; insert, size and position graphics; use style and templates; work with columns

Microsoft Excel Level 1 (40 hours)

• Create, print and modify workbooks;
• Calculate with formulae and dfunctionsl work with rangesl sort data;
• Create and format chartsl format worksheet text and values

Bookkeeping Fundamentals (40 hours)

• Analyzing and recording business transactions using double-entry bookkeeping
• Adjusting and recording journal entries; general ledger; preparation of basic financial statements;
• Fundamental accounting principles; chart of accounts; assets, liabilities, equities; debits and credits

Effective Business Writing (40 hours) 

• Focuses on learning writing techniques that ensure effective business communication.  
• Achieve an effective style by using precise verbs, concrete nouns and vivid adjectives.  
• Write memorandums and email messages that deliver information and make requests.  
• Write letters and memorandums that request information concisely and promote goodwill.  
• Write letters of appreciation, congratulation, sympathy, recommendation and introduction.  
• Write effective formal and informal reports.  
• Write a formal report including data, using tables, charts and graphs  

Legal Office Simulations (20 hours)

Professional Skills (20 hours)

Workplace Skills:

Student Success Strategies (20 hours)

• Emphasis is places on thinking about achieving success from day one, and developing the non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic and career success.
• Goal setting; time management and planning; money management.
• Learning styles; memory techniques and note taking; tests and writing techniques

Career and Employment Strategies (20 hours)

This module takes the students through the entire job search process including:

• Where and how to look for a job
• Effective resume preparation
• Creating a cover letter tailored to the position
• Interview preparation
• Job search management
• Self-confidence and self-esteem building
• Mock interviews 
• Follow up after the interview