Lawyers
Formal Description
“Lawyers and Quebec notaries advise clients on legal matters, represent clients before administration boards and draw up legal documents such as contracts and wills. Lawyers also plead cases, represent clients before tribunals and conduct prosecutions in courts of law. Lawyers are employed in law firms and prosecutor’s offices. Quebec notaries are employed in notary offices. Both lawyers and Quebec notaries are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments and various business establishments or they may be self-employed. Articling students are included in this unit group.” (NOC 2021)
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
City Attorney
Commercial Lawyer
Defence Counsel
Family and Estates Lawyer
Immigration Lawyer
Labour Lawyer
Legal Aid Lawyer
Title Lawyer
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts. {This text can be swapped to either column for balance.}
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
· Lawyers
- “Two to three years of undergraduate studies or, in Quebec, completion of a college program, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized law school, successful completion of the bar examination and completion of a period of articling are required.”
- “Licensing by the provincial or territorial law society is required.”
- “Be an active member of a law society in the province or territory of legal practice.”
· Notaries (Quebec)
- “A bachelor’s degree in civil law from a recognized law school and a master’s degree in notarial law, which includes a 16-week internship, from a recognized law school are required.”
- “A 15-day training program at the Chambre des notaires du Québec is required.”
- “Licensing by the Chambre des notaires du Québec is required.”
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Political Science Learn More
A degree in Political Science not only enhances the understanding of the legal system but also provides the critical thinking, research, and communication skills essential for a successful career in law.
Society, Culture & Religion Learn More
Learning cultural awareness enhances the ability to grasp the human aspects of legal practice, advocate effectively for diverse clients, and contribute meaningfully to the development of laws and policies.
Sociology Learn More
Understanding societal structures, human behaviour, and social justice issues supports in advocating for clients, interpreting legal frameworks, and addressing complex social issues.
Work & Labour Studies Learn More
Students will expand their awareness of labour markets, workplace dynamics, and the legal and ethical frameworks governing work, all of which align closely with fields in labour law, employment law, corporate law and social justice.
