If you have an interest in law, but can't see yourself spending several years becoming a lawyer, you should consider paralegal college.

After only 12 months of study, including a 4-week internship, you'll be qualified to write the licensing exam and begin your career.

Paralegals in Ontario have a special status not available in other provinces, which allows them to represent clients in small claims court and before certain tribunals.

Photo: Paralegal students at Herzing College in Ottawa pose for a class photo

Updated February 2021.

Licensed paralegals in Ontario have a lot more power, work options, and opportunities than their peers in other parts of the country.

If you become a licensed paralegal in Ontario, you'll be allowed to represent clients in small claims court, and before certain tribunals (such as the Human Rights, Landlord and Tenant, Immigration and Refugee, and Workplace Safety tribunals).

Or, you could pursue a paralegal job in government, and work at a courthouse, with a lobby group, or for a provincial or federal department (like the Department of Justice).

Whether you open your own paralegal practice, or work under a supervising attorney, conducting client interviews will be a key part of your paralegal career.

Solid interviewing skills are crucial for several reasons. The way you prepare for and conduct each interview influences the quality of information you gather, the trust you instill in clients—and even the likelihood of earning good recommendations and referrals.

In Ontario, the paralegal profession is very attractive to students who are naturally interested in the law, motivated to help others—and perhaps have dreams of launching their own legal practice.

But other than the drive to make a difference, and an interest in our legal system, what else should students consider before choosing this training path? What other attributes, characteristics, and skills will they need to actually be successful as paralegals?

Paralegals in Ontario are non-lawyer agents who are licensed to provide certain legal services to members of the public. Paralegals can handle quite a broad range of legal matters, making this career path particularly challenging and rewarding.

According to market research conducted by the Canadian government, demand for paralegal services has increased significantly in recent years, driven by good economic growth and constant changes in legislation and related regulations.