Photo: Paralegal students conducting a mock trial at Herzing College Toronto (2019)

Paralegal has become such a popular career in Ontario that we’ve seen dozens of training programs pop up across the province. 

There are paralegal diplomas and certificates, ranging from 1-3 years, and a mix of on-campus and online training options. 

Herzing College has been offering an accelerated Paralegal diploma program for several years, at campuses in both Toronto and Ottawa. 

What do all the paralegal programs have in common? They are all accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. The Law Society regulates paralegal training, so schools must get approval to legally offer the program. 

This means that all accredited paralegal diplomas and certificates offer the same core curriculum, as dictated by the Law Society. 

But that doesn't mean all programs are identical or created equal. 

Things like career services, student reviews, and graduate employment rates vary widely across paralegal programs. 

If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably considering becoming a paralegal or legal assistant. 

You’re wondering what the role involves and whether it’s a good fit for your personality, interests, and natural talents. 

You’re definitely on the right track. Researching the skills and qualities of good paralegals is an excellent way to explore the career.

A basic job description can only tell you so much. You need to dig deeper and uncover what drives and motivates paralegals—and what it takes to truly excel in this role. 

That’s exactly what we’re covering in this post. 

We'll break down the complete profile of a successful paralegal or legal assistant. Discover the traits you need to become a respected legal professional, and whether this career is your true calling. 

Updated June, 2021.

Toronto is an excellent place to start a legal career. The city is a major hub for law firms, lobby groups, community organizations and businesses, offering a wide range of employment options for a variety of legal professionals. 

Becoming a lawyer is not your only option. Toronto is full of successful paralegals, law clerks, legal assistants, and immigration consultants. 

Which path should you choose? 

In this post, we’re breaking down the main differences between two very popular professions: paralegal and law clerk (or legal assistant). 

Understand what these roles entail, and key distinctions between training requirements, job descriptions, where you can work, and licensing rules. 

Get a clearer idea of which legal career is right for you and exactly how to get started. 

If you live in Ontario, you probably know that paralegals have a special status in the province, which they don’t have anywhere else in Canada. 

In Ontario, paralegals can actually represent clients independently (just like a lawyer does) for certain legal matters. 

They can set up a private practice, specialize in a certain area of law, and in some cases, advocate for clients in court. 

However, paralegals must operate within certain limits. They can’t do everything a lawyer can...and there are several important differences between these two career paths.