Careers in Justice > Lawyer
Profession at a Glance
Lawyers know the legal system inside and out. They have expertise in navigating this system that most people do not have on their own. As part of their job, lawyers help individuals with legal problems and give advice to clients to try to prevent future legal problems.
Many people think that lawyers spend all of their days in court arguing cases. In reality, lawyers have to do a lot of preparation before ever going to court, and certain kinds of lawyers don’t go to court at all.
To learn more about lawyers’ work, click through the tabs above.
Many people think that lawyers spend all of their days in court arguing cases. In reality, lawyers have to do a lot of preparation before ever going to court, and certain kinds of lawyers don’t go to court at all.
To learn more about lawyers’ work, click through the tabs above.
Job Description
A lawyer's work varies depending on what kind of law she specializes in. Criminal law, family law, employment law and property law are just a few of the different areas lawyers work in.
Most of the work of a lawyer involves four main activities: meeting with clients, doing legal research, providing legal advice and representing clients.
There are lawyers just about everywhere doing a wide range of interesting work. Lawyers work in law firms, big and small. Other lawyers work “in-house” in a company or organization, handling all of the company’s or organization’s legal issues. Legal Aid lawyers are a kind of lawyer hired by the government to give free or low-cost legal advice. Sometimes these lawyers work in community legal clinics. There are also other places you find lawyers: at universities as professors, in government and politics, in the world of performing arts or communications, and overseas, working for international organizations like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.
Most of the work of a lawyer involves four main activities: meeting with clients, doing legal research, providing legal advice and representing clients.
Meeting with Clients
A lawyer meets with each new client to better understand the client’s situation and to figure out what legal issues are related to the case. Sometimes the legal issues are not always clear to the client, so it is up to the lawyer to ask the right questions to get the facts straight and see what is really going on.
During a meeting, a lawyer will also try to understand what is most important for the client and what the client hopes will happen. The lawyer takes notes and puts all of the client's information into a file for future reference.
For example, Lucy recently had a pool built in her backyard. It took months to complete and the final touches on the pool were completed while she was out of the city. She arrived home looking forward to testing it out. Much to her surprise, when she went to jump in the pool it was only half full and it seemed to be leaking all over the lawn! The builder has been ignoring her calls for weeks. She went to see a lawyer who asked her questions about who built the pool, what the agreement was and what she would like to do.
During a meeting, a lawyer will also try to understand what is most important for the client and what the client hopes will happen. The lawyer takes notes and puts all of the client's information into a file for future reference.
For example, Lucy recently had a pool built in her backyard. It took months to complete and the final touches on the pool were completed while she was out of the city. She arrived home looking forward to testing it out. Much to her surprise, when she went to jump in the pool it was only half full and it seemed to be leaking all over the lawn! The builder has been ignoring her calls for weeks. She went to see a lawyer who asked her questions about who built the pool, what the agreement was and what she would like to do.
Doing Legal Research
A lawyer does legal research to find out what options her client has. Legal research involves reading laws, summaries of cases and books about the law. Research helps the lawyer create a strategy to resolve the client’s issues. Research is also required to make sure the lawyer gathers the right kind of evidence and creates legal arguments that will be successful if the client chooses to take the case forward or go to court.
To help Lucy, her lawyer researches what the law says about agreements that have gone wrong. The lawyer will also look for specific cases about pools that have been badly built to see what the court has said in similar cases.
To help Lucy, her lawyer researches what the law says about agreements that have gone wrong. The lawyer will also look for specific cases about pools that have been badly built to see what the court has said in similar cases.
Providing Legal Advice
Once a lawyer has completed legal research and figured out her client’s options, she meets with the client again to talk about the various possibilities and explain whether there is a good chance of winning or losing the case. The client can then make an informed decision about what to do. Even though the lawyer is the legal expert and offers legal advice, the client makes the ultimate decision about what to do.
In Lucy’s situation, her lawyer presents her with several options and advises her on the possible outcomes of starting a case against the builder. Lucy then decides what to do.
In Lucy’s situation, her lawyer presents her with several options and advises her on the possible outcomes of starting a case against the builder. Lucy then decides what to do.
Representing Clients
Where do lawyers work?
Clients often ask a lawyer to represent them in and out of court. This means that the lawyer acts like a spokesperson, speaking for the client with other lawyers, other parties and before judges or a jury.The lawyer takes care of all the legal aspects of the client’s file, making sure that all the necessary forms are filled out and mailed to the court on time. The lawyer also presents evidence to the court and argues her client's case.
Not all cases end up in court. A lawyer can represent a client in negotiating meetings outside court. At these meetings, lawyers try to agree on all legal issues without going to court.
Lawyers also write legal documents, such as letters, contracts and court documents, which are sent to the other parties on behalf of their clients.
As a first step, Lucy's lawyer offers to write a letter to the builder concerning her case. Sometimes a firm letter is enough to get people to cooperate when agreements have gone wrong.
Not all cases end up in court. A lawyer can represent a client in negotiating meetings outside court. At these meetings, lawyers try to agree on all legal issues without going to court.
Lawyers also write legal documents, such as letters, contracts and court documents, which are sent to the other parties on behalf of their clients.
As a first step, Lucy's lawyer offers to write a letter to the builder concerning her case. Sometimes a firm letter is enough to get people to cooperate when agreements have gone wrong.
There are lawyers just about everywhere doing a wide range of interesting work. Lawyers work in law firms, big and small. Other lawyers work “in-house” in a company or organization, handling all of the company’s or organization’s legal issues. Legal Aid lawyers are a kind of lawyer hired by the government to give free or low-cost legal advice. Sometimes these lawyers work in community legal clinics. There are also other places you find lawyers: at universities as professors, in government and politics, in the world of performing arts or communications, and overseas, working for international organizations like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.
Training
To become a lawyer in Quebec you need to complete specialized training and follow a number of steps.
The following courses could help you prepare for a future as a lawyer:
Speak to your guidance counsellor to see if there are other courses offered at your school which could help you prepare for this career.
University
All lawyers in Quebec must obtain a university degree in Civil Law. This usually takes 3 or 4 years to complete. In the rest of Canada, lawyers get a university degree in Common Law instead. That is because Quebec’s legal system is different. Quebec Civil Law comes from France, and the rest of Canada follows the Common Law system, which comes from Britain.
McGill University offers students the option of doing degrees in both Civil and Common Law at the same time in both English and French. You have the choice of writing your exams in either language.
Five universities offer Civil Law degrees in French only, but at these universities, you are allowed to write your exams in English:
Regardless of where you study, you must have an understanding of French, since most of the judgements and books you will be expected to read the Civil Law are in French.
McGill University offers students the option of doing degrees in both Civil and Common Law at the same time in both English and French. You have the choice of writing your exams in either language.
Five universities offer Civil Law degrees in French only, but at these universities, you are allowed to write your exams in English:
- Laval University
- University of Montreal
- University of Ottawa (Civil Law stream)
- University of Quebec in Montreal
- University of Sherbrooke
Regardless of where you study, you must have an understanding of French, since most of the judgements and books you will be expected to read the Civil Law are in French.
École du Barreau (Bar School)
Once you have finished your law degree, you must then complete “Bar School” at the École du Barreau du Québec. Bar School teaches you all of the practical things you need to know to become a lawyer in Quebec. During Bar School you increase your understanding of Quebec law and learn important skills, such as how to write various kinds of legal documents, how to argue cases before the court, etc.
Bar School takes either 4 or 8 months to complete depending on whether you go full or part time. Classes are offered in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, and Ottawa. At the end of Bar School students must pass an exam called a bar exam. All classes and books at Bar School are in French, but you can write your bar exam in English.
Bar School takes either 4 or 8 months to complete depending on whether you go full or part time. Classes are offered in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, and Ottawa. At the end of Bar School students must pass an exam called a bar exam. All classes and books at Bar School are in French, but you can write your bar exam in English.
Articling
Following the bar exam, you have to do a 6-month internship called “articling.” This is an on-the-job training during which you meet with clients, do legal research and even go to court to argue cases. At this stage, you are supervised by lawyers and learn how to do the day-to-day work of a lawyer, but you cannot give legal advice since you are not a lawyer just yet.
Call to the Bar
Useful High School Courses
Once you have a university degree in law, pass the bar exam and finish your articling, there is still one more step before you can call yourself a lawyer: you have to be “called to the Bar”. This is a ceremony that officially gives you the right to practise law. Once you have been “called to the Bar”, you are officially a member of the Barreau du Québec (an association to which all lawyers in the province must belong). Finally you are a lawyer and you can use the title “Maître”!
To learn more about the job prospects (salary, rate of growth of the profession, etc.) for lawyers, take a look at the Job Futures website.
To learn more about the job prospects (salary, rate of growth of the profession, etc.) for lawyers, take a look at the Job Futures website.
The following courses could help you prepare for a future as a lawyer:
- History and Citizenship Education
- Ethics and Religious Culture
- English Language Arts
- French as a Second Language
- Mathematics
Speak to your guidance counsellor to see if there are other courses offered at your school which could help you prepare for this career.
Are you right for the job?
Thinking of a career as a lawyer? Check out this list of skills and learn how to develop them.
Analytical Skills
Lawyers have to be able to understand and use complex legal concepts. They must also break down complicated issues in order to find the best solution for their clients.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You often guess the ending to a suspense movie or crime novel.
- You find it easy to understand new material at school.
- You are curious and like to work on complex problems, such as Sudoku.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Read interesting books and tell your friends about them in your own words.
- Watch informative TV shows and documentaries on a variety of subjects, such as politics, technology or sciences.
- Play games that require logic and strategy, such as chess, checkers or Risk.
Ability to Interact with Others
Lawyers must work with many people such as clients, witnesses, colleagues, court staff, etc. They must be able to make a good first impression, earn the trust of their clients, and be convincing at what they do.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You know how to make friends easily.
- You adapt quickly to people from different cultures, backgrounds and ages.
- You can negotiate with friends to solve problems.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Register in an extra-curricular activity where you don’t know anyone else.
- Become a youth mediator to help other kids in your school resolve their differences.
- Get in the habit of introducing yourself first to people you don’t know and start conversations with them.
Firmness
A lawyer can’t be shy when it comes to defending the interests of their clients. They must also be able to negotiate with the other side while standing their ground.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You can defend a very controversial position during a discussion, even if all your friends disagree with you.
- You are clear with your feelings when you are not happy with certain situations, such as when someone shows up late for a meeting.
- You know how to keep control of the situation and be firm about the rules when you are babysitting.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Work with children as an assistant coach or become the referee of a sport.
- Get in the habit of staying firm in your decisions and ideas.
- Establish a budget for the next year and stick to it despite the temptation to spend, with the goal of saving and buying something you really want.
Management Skills
Lawyers must be able to juggle many responsibilities while also getting things done efficiently and effectively. They act as leaders, but also work in teams with other lawyers, paralegals, and assistants.You have what you need to succeed if:
- You have lots of ideas for projects and are able to get people interested in these projects.
- You take initiative when working as part of a group.
- You can juggle many activities in a day and you are rarely overwhelmed by events.
To develop these skills, you can:
- Run for class president.
- Become a committee member for your school or your local youth centre.
- Become a camp counsellor, which will require you to plan the day’s activities and ensure that everyone follows the schedule.
Did you know?
- Today in Quebec, over 40% of members of the Quebec Bar are women, but they make up only 16% of judges.
- Annie MacDonald Langstaff became the first woman to graduate from law school in Quebec in 1914, but she never practised as a lawyer because women were not yet allowed to join the Quebec Bar. Women did not have the right to practise as lawyers in Quebec until 1941.
- Quebec is the only province in Canada that uses the “Civil Law”, which is primarily based on the Civil Code of Quebec. The rest of Canada uses “Common Law”, which is primarily based on the rules that come from court judgments.