Paralegal Fanshawe College

Overview

The  Paralegal  Postgrad.Cert offered at Fanshawe College provides students the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in a legal environment. You’ll start by learning how to communicate effectively, as you work your way through different areas of the law, with courses in legal research and writing, torts and contracts, criminal matters and motor vehicle offences. You’ll also learn about advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, and other areas of law within the Paralegal Scope of Practice.

When you complete your studies, you will be prepared to apply for the provincial exam and seek licensing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).

As a licensed paralegal, you might choose to be self-employed and offer legal services directly to the public without the supervision of a lawyer, or you might choose to work for a law firm or government agency. Either way, you will be able to put your entrepreneurial mindset and knowledge toward providing access to justice.

  Career opportunities:

Graduates of Fanshawe’s Paralegal program have the knowledge and skill to apply for the provincial licensing exam which is required to work as a licensed paralegal in Ontario. Paralegals work in various legal environments offering specified legal services directly to the public for a fee without the supervision of a lawyer. Paralegals are typically self-employed.

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Paralegal program:

• Paralegal

Working as part of a small team in a very busy office that handles Provincial Offences, Small Claims Court and Landlord and Tenant Board Matters.  You will be responsible from the initial client interviews to appearing before the court or tribunal. You will have support from multiple mentors, as well as an administrative assistant. You will be expected to have integrity and ambition. Travel is required in order to attend satellite courts.

• Junior Paralegal

The Junior Paralegal will be responsible for tasks such as: drafting pleadings; filing documents with the courthouse; conducting client intake consultations; attending court appearances; serving documents on opposing parties; drafting eviction notices as per Residential Tenancies Act; filing applications with the Landlord & Tenant Board; communicating with clients.

• Alternate to the Discrimination & Harassment Counsel Program (Paralegal)

The Alternate will act as a resource and offer confidential advice and assistance to members of the public, licensing candidates and licensees who may have experienced discrimination or harassment by a licensee.

Accreditation

• Fanshawe's Paralegal program has been accredited by the Law Society of Ontario