Law Clerk

Law clerks help lawyers by preparing legal documents, maintaining files and conducting research. 

NOC Code: 4211

Job Duties

Law clerks help lawyers by preparing legal documents, maintaining files and conducting research.  You may work for law offices, legal departments of large companies, real estate companies, land title offices, municipal, provincial or federal courts, or government offices.

Generally, law clerks:

  • Interview clients and witnesses.
  • Gather documents, prepare trial briefs, and arrange trials.
  • Prepare wills, real estate transactions, court reports, affidavits and other legal documents.
  • Research records, court files and other legal documents.
  • Draft legal correspondence.
  • Perform general office duties.

Source: HRDSC

Job Requirements

Education

This job requires: College or University

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobLevel of Education Required
Foreign Legal ConsultantPost-Graduate
International Business ConsultantPost-Graduate
Law ClerkCollege or University
Legal SecretaryCollege or University
MediatorCollege or University

Experience

This job requires 0 - 2 years of work experience.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobYears of Work Experience Required
Foreign Legal Consultant5+
International Business Consultant2 - 5
Law Clerk0 - 2
Legal Secretary0 - 2
Mediator5+

Source: HRSDC

Essential Skills

As a law clerk, you need to:

  • Speak, write and read English.
  • Be well-organized and manage multiple tasks.
  • Have good attention to detail and strong research skills.
  • Be familiar with the legal system in Canada.
  • Understand and prepare legal documents such as contracts, agreements, statements of claim, legal motions and affidavits.
  • Use word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet and email software.

Source: Ontario Skills Passport

Language Skills

You need to communicate in person, on the phone and in writing with clients, lawyers, other law clerks, court clerks and clerical and administrative staff. You need to read case law and rulings to determine if they are relevant and applicable to your case files.

Labour Market Information

Trends

Law clerks need good computer skills because you need to use the internet for research and prepare and file documents on computerized systems.

Prospects

The work prospects for this job are: FAIR

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobWork Prospects
Foreign Legal ConsultantNo Data
International Business ConsultantGood
Law ClerkFair
Legal SecretaryFair
MediatorGood

Wages

The average hourly wage for this job is: C$26/hour.

Comparison with other jobs in this profession
JobAverage Wage/Hour
Foreign Legal Consultant$0.00
International Business Consultant$32.97
Law Clerk$26.00
Legal Secretary$19.75
Mediator$36.06

Source: HRSDC

Retraining

Educational Programs

These links will give you a list of related educational programs or where you can search for them. There may be other schools that have similar programs, such as private career colleges. You may be able to get advanced standing.

Bridging Programs

Here is a list of some bridging programs. These programs can help you assess your education and skills, get practical training or improve your language skills so that you can work in your field.

Language Training

None

Work Experience Programs

Some college programs and bridging programs in this field include co-operative (co-op) work experience.

Voluntary Membership Opportunities

Helpful Links

The data in this profile is provided for informational purposes only. Some of the information may have changed since this profile was written. Please check the source for the most up-to-date information.