Law Clerk Diploma Program

graduate program

*This Diploma program is approved as vocational program under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005

Legal assistants prepare legal documents, maintain records and files and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the limitations of their appointment.

Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments.

Legal assistants are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed.

Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed.

Career opportunities

Commercial law clerk, corporate paralegal, family law paralegal, independent paralegal, legal assistant, legal researcher, land titles examiner, law clerk, litigation legal assistant, notary public, paralegal, real estate law clerk, title searcher, trademark agent

Main responsibilities

Legal assistants in law firms or in other establishments perform some or all of the following duties:

Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials.
Prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits.
Research records, court files and other legal documents.
Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.

Notaries public perform some or all of the following duties:

Administer oaths and take affidavits and depositions.
Witness and certify the validity of signatures on documents.
May draft contracts, prepare promissory notes and draw up wills, mortgages and other legal documents.
May arrange probates and administer the estates of deceased persons.

Trademark agents perform some or all of the following duties:

Advise clients on intellectual property matters and represent clients before the Registrar of Trade-Marks on matters including prosecution of applications for registration of trademarks.
Advise on the registrability of trademarks, trademark licensing requirements, transfer of intellectual property and protection of existing trademark rights.
Represent clients at proceedings before the Trade Marks Opposition Board and in related proceedings.
May represent clients internationally in consultation with foreign associates and attorneys.

Independent paralegals perform some or all of the following duties:

Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies.
Advise clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.

Employment requirements

Legal assistants in law firms require a bachelor’s degree in law or a college diploma in a legal assistant or law clerk program
or
In-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment.
Independent paralegals require knowledge of legal principles and procedures usually obtained through industry-sponsored courses and through experience, or on completion of a community college paralegal program.
Notaries public are appointed after examination and certification of their qualifications by the governing judiciary in their province or territory. All appointments have specific limitations on the activities they can perform and for specific periods of time.
Notaries public require a provincial licence. In British Columbia, membership in the Society of Notaries Public is also required.
To be licensed, trademark agents are required to work in the area of trademark law, including the preparation and prosecution of trademark applications for registration, for two years
and
To complete successfully the examination conducted jointly by the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and the Registrar of Trade-Marks, Canadian Intellectual Property Office
or
Either one of the above and to be a lawyer entitled to practise in Canada.
Trademark agents require registration with the federal Trade-Mark Office.

Additional information

Notaries public usually receive in-house training and perform their duties in rural or remote areas or in the business offices in which they are employed.

Note:

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graduate program