The LPP welcomed its 7th and largest cohort. Given the global pandemic, the entire Simulated Virtual Law Firm Training in the fall occurred online. The LPP also introduced valuable program innovations to enhance the experience of Candidates and their preparation for the profession, including Virtual Corporate Counsel and Alumni Coffee Chats and the largest Simultaneous Zoom Trials.

By the end of our 6th year, over 1300 law graduates will have completed the LPP as their chosen path for licensing; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

January 16, LPP was awarded a 2017 Champion of Diversity Award by the Province of Ontario; October 9th, the LPP hosts its successful “Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Conference: The Power of All Of Us”, bringing together members of the profession, with current Candidates; in late December, once again recognizing the impact and benefit of the LPP, and the contributions that were being made to the profession by the nearly 1,000 graduates of the program to date, the Law Society of Ontario votes to keep the LPP as a pathway to licensing in Ontario; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

Recognizing the successes and benefits of the LPP, the Law Society of Ontario votes to extend the LPP pilot for a further two years; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University) LPP Team (including The Chang School and ISTC partners) are recognized with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Julia Hanigsberg “Make Your Mark” Staff Award; Corporate Counsel programming is added to the Training, with presentations, webinars and scenario considerations; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

The program grows–Sheila Block and Jim Seckinger enthusiastically agree to deliver 3 days of Trial Advocacy workshops during each of the in-person weeks in August, October and December; some work placement opportunities open for consideration by LPP Candidates in the summer prior to the start of the program; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

After Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University) was awarded the contract by the LSO to develop and deliver a three-year pilot program, the program launched with its first cohort in August, 2014; in addition to welcoming our first Candidates, from the beginning of the year, we engaged with lawyers across the province to create the simulated virtual files; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.