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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