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Ministry-approved title: Law Clerk
The fast-growing legal industry is where technology, AI, and legal expertise come together. Students gain hands-on experience in document preparation, case management, and industry-standard legal technology while developing the skills employers value most.
As AI and emerging technologies continue to transform the legal sector, graduates will be ready to adapt and succeed in a modern workplace. With field placement and optional co-op opportunities, students build real-world experience, professional connections, and the confidence to find their fit in a rewarding and evolving legal career.
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The demand for qualified law clerks and legal assistants continues to rise, offering graduates a variety of pathways to build a rewarding career in the legal field. With a strong foundation in legal research, document preparation, and court procedures, graduates will have the skills to excel in law offices, corporate legal departments, or government agencies.
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The Law Clerk program prepares students for a rewarding career in a dynamic and in-demand professional field. Combining legal knowledge, technology, and hands-on learning, the program equips students with the skills employers are seeking in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other legal settings.
Throughout the program, students develop practical expertise in document preparation, case management, legal software, and professional communication. They’ll learn how law clerks support legal teams, contribute to problem-solving, and assist in delivering effective service to clients while maintaining the high standards expected within the legal profession.
Hands-on learning is embedded throughout the curriculum. Using industry-standard technology and realistic case-based assignments, students gain experience that reflects the demands of today’s workplace. Every student completes a 210-hour field placement, providing valuable real-world experience, professional networking opportunities, and insight into different areas of legal practice. Students may also choose to enhance their learning through an optional 420-hour co-op placement.
As the legal industry continues to evolve, law clerks are playing an increasingly important role in modern legal practice. In this program, students develop adaptable, future-focused skills that position them to thrive in a profession where technology enhances, rather than replaces, human expertise.
Graduates will develop essential competencies in organization, communication, critical thinking, and time management. More importantly, they’ll have the confidence and practical experience to discover where they fit within the legal profession and build a rewarding career in an industry that continues to grow, innovate, and create opportunities.
In-person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
School is an investment in your future, and DC’s Financial Aid and Awards office offers support to help you succeed.
Funding opportunities include: OSAP, scholarships, bursaries and awards, international student scholarships, and on-campus employment.
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The Law Clerk program provides the knowledge, practical training, and real-world experience needed to thrive in Ontario's legal sector.
Graduates will have the skills employers are looking for, including legal file management, document drafting, and court procedures. These skills can open doors to a wide range of opportunities, from positions as a law clerk or legal assistant to specialized roles in areas such as real estate law, family law, corporate law, wills and estates, and civil litigation. With multiple career paths to explore and opportunities for professional growth, they’ll be well positioned to build a successful future in the legal field.
Durham College’s (DC) Law Clerk program combines comprehensive classroom learning with valuable work-integrated learning opportunities, helping students build the knowledge, confidence, and practical experience employers seek. Throughout the program, classroom learning is reinforced through practical, experiential activities designed to reflect the realities of the legal workplace. Students participate in simulations, case studies, legal research assignments, document drafting exercises, client file management activities, and mock transactions. These hands-on experiences allow students to develop industry-relevant skills in a supportive learning environment while becoming familiar with the workflows, technology, and professional standards commonly found in legal settings.
Students complete a 210-hour field placement in the final semester of Year Two, providing the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional legal environment while establishing connections within the industry. Students may also choose to participate in a 420-hour co-op work term between Year One and Year Two, gaining additional hands-on experience and enhancing their professional network before graduation.
Many students find that the practical experience gained through placements, co-op work terms, and classroom simulations helps them transition smoothly into employment after graduation. In some cases, placement and co-op experiences lead directly to employment opportunities, as employers have the chance to observe students' skills, professionalism, and potential contributions firsthand. By combining academic preparation with meaningful workplace experience, Durham College's Law Clerk program helps graduates enter the workforce with both the technical knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed in a variety of legal careers.
Durham College (DC) partners with colleges and universities across Ontario, Canada, and around the world to offer pathway opportunities to continue your education and reach your goals. Whether you’re a current student or a graduate, our Transfer Services team will guide you toward opportunities that fit your aspirations and open doors to new possibilities.
This program can open doors to additional learning opportunities. Pathway opportunities may include advanced standing or transfer credit toward diplomas, graduate certificates, degrees, and other academic routes, helping reduce duplication and create a clear path to your next credential.
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You may be eligible to receive recognition for your prior learning. Credit Transfer can recognize completed post-secondary coursework, while Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) can assess skills and knowledge gained through work, training, volunteering, military service, or other life experiences.
Learn more about Credit Transfer and PLAR
To help students have the best learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the facuty office.
Nicole Doyle has been with Durham College since 2005. With her expertise in legal research and professional skills, and her experience working in the consulting industry, Nicole helps prepare law clerks for success in their legal careers. She also supports students and faculty through her role as Program Coordinator.
Jordan Inia, a Durham College Law Clerk Advanced Diploma graduate, joined the Faculty of Social & Community Services as a part-time professor in September 2021. She works full-time as a Wills and Estates clerk, bringing valuable insights from her legal career and personal experience as a former student into her teaching.
Kystra Ryan is recognized as one of Toronto's leading Litigation Law Clerks, with extensive knowledge of the civil process. Her expertise spans across banking, construction, employment, and estates. A committed professor at Durham College, she shares her knowledge in legal writing and education and holds a Certification in Legal Project Management.
The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.
Students in the Law Clerk Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students enrolled in the co-op option are required to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program and will still complete the field placement in semester 4 as an additional work-integrated learning experience.
Supports are available through Experiential Learning to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, Experiential Learning is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.
Once transferred to the co-op option of this program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co+-op students. These services are dedicated to support student success.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.
E: co-op@durhamcollege.ca
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