Ryerson’s Innovative Ontario Lawyer Licensing Program Emphasizes 21st Century Practical Skills That Prepare Candidates For Future Success.
Toronto – May 12, 2020 – Ryerson’s Law Practice Program (LPP), a lawyer licensing program, has signed a new 5 year contract with the Law Society of Ontario. Launched in 2014, the LPP is now an established route to lawyer licensing. The LPP helps future lawyers develop the modern, practical skills they will need to be licensed in Ontario, and to succeed in a 21st century practice.
“The Law Society is pleased to support the Law Practice Program and Programme de Pratique du Droit (LPP/PPD) [Ottawa U delivers the PPD]. The LPP and PPD are innovative programs that have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of offering multiple licensing pathways, while upholding rigorous competence standards. The programs are responsive to the access to justice needs of the diverse communities we serve.” said Sheena Weir, Executive Director, External Relations and Communications, LSO.
The LPP is an 8 month program which trains lawyers with 4 months of interactive online skills development by simulating legal practice, followed by 4 months where they develop their skills in a work placement. The training emphasizes the skills lawyers will need to succeed in an increasingly technological, fast-paced, consumer-driven future.
“Our training has been built on a strong foundation of traditional, relevant, practical skills led by leading practitioners”, said Chris Bentley, Managing Director of the LPP. “We train our Candidates to succeed in a society where technology transcends borders, and in which consumers, both people and businesses, are demanding legal services be delivered as they need them: faster, simpler and more affordable.”
This year, the LPP launches several new program initiatives, including: Legal Services – Delivering What Consumers Need; Building Your Law Business; and an expanded In-House Legal Counsel initiative. For the first time, the first 4 months of skills development will be interactive online without any in-person weeks.
For further information, contact:
Jaclyn Nobrega,
jaclyn.nobrega@ryerson.ca
Quick Facts
About Ryerson’s Law Practice Program:
The Program is an 8 month lawyer licensing training program: 4 month interactive online skills development, followed by a 4 month work placement. The first 4 months develops skills in a simulated practice setting with actors as clients, firms, and files. Special training initiatives, such as Trial Advocacy and Negotiation, extend the training and deepen the development. Hundreds of lawyers and other experts help with the training, and hundreds more provide work placements.
Work Placement:
Our experienced work placement team helps locate opportunities to connect Candidates and employers. Work placements reflect all areas of the profession across Ontario from private practice to in-house, legal clinics and all 3 levels of government. Candidates are not guaranteed a work placement, but everyone who has successfully completed the 4 months of training has found one so far.
By the Numbers – 6 Years to Date (2014-2020):
Over 1300 Candidates
About 50% are from Canadian law schools and 50% international law schools
Our alumni speak 79 different languages
Alumni Success:
We track what our Alumni are doing 1 year after they are Called to the Bar:
Year 1: 75% working in law/law related positions
Year 2: 84% working in law/law related positions
Year 3: 90% working in law/law related positions
Year 4: 87% working in law/law related positions
Year 5: (not yet 1 year after their Calls to the Bar)
To download a PDF version, please click here.
