Untangling the prickly path to practice:the journeys of internationally trained lawyers in

Ontario

Gina Alexandris, Director ITLPgina.alexandris@utoronto.ca

416-978-8152www.itlp.utoronto.ca

NCON PRESENTATIONOCTOBER 13, 2011

Lawyers from around the worldare making Canada their new home• In 2010 and 11, 1063 and 1096 lawyers from

70 different countries applied to the NCA for anevaluation of their foreign credentials

• In 2010 and 11, 392 and 466 lawyers from30 different countries received their Certificateof Qualification from the NCA(Source: NCA)

What do YOU need to knowto assist clients in THEIRjourney to

becoming a licensed lawyer in Ontario?

There is no great “secret”to success…but there are suggestions and recommendations:

A. INFORMATIONB. COMMUNICATIONC. NETWORKD. POSITIVE ATTITUDE

A. INFORMATION

1. Who is Involved: National Committee and Accreditation(www.flsc.ca), the Law Society of Upper Canada (www.lsuc.ca),

the Internationally Trained Lawyers Program(www.itlp.utoronto.ca), Canadian law schools (in Ontario

www.ouac.on.ca), Lawyers Professional Indemnity Company(www.lawpro.ca) and legal employers

2. Understand the Process to becoming “Called to the Bar”in Ontario:

NCAApplication

ChallengeExams or

Law SchoolCourses/Degree

NCACertification

LSUC LicensingExams:

Barrister,Solicitor andProfessional

Responsibility

Articlingor waiver/

abridgement

3. What is the “Canadian Way”:learn how resumes and cover letters are prepared in Canada, how areinterviews conducted, what is the terminology the professionuses…and does not use

4. Know Your Options:Lawyer in private practice or government?Law clerk?Other?

…keep in mind the costs and time of the process…especially as theyarise during newcomer settlement issues

Between 2000-2010, 34% ofclaims through LawPro weredue to Communication Errors

(source: LawPro Magazine Article on biggest claims risks)

B. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

1. SPEAKING

2. WRITING

3. READING

4. TECHNOLOGY

C. NETWORK

•noun: an interconnectedgroup or system

•verb: to cultivate people who can be helpfulto one professionally, especially in findingemployment or moving to a higher position

Professional Legal Organizations (Canadian BarAssociation; Toronto Lawyers Association,Women’s Law Association of Ontario)

Ethnic Lawyers Groups (SABA, HOLA, CIAO, CABL)

Volunteer Organizations (legal clinics, communitygroups, parent associations)

D. POSITIVE ATTITUDEEmployers consistently advisethat, in addition to the necessary skills,a good attitude is amonga lawyer’s best qualities!

• Determination• Initiative• Flexibility• Optimism

Encourage your clients to come to one of the ITLP Open Houseand Information Sessions:

November 23 (4-6pm);January 11 (2-4pm); February 1 (4-6pm)

at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Flavelle House, Rowell Room;

ORNovember 1 (4-7pm)

at the Mississauga Central Library, Classroom 3

Thank You