Education · 1 of 5

The path

Same licence as every lawyer. The specialty comes from where you article and which group hires you.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Strong marks across the board. Business and accounting courses help you later.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   3 to 4 years

   Commerce, economics and political science are common, but any subject works. Keep your GPA high and write the LSAT (law school admission test).

3. 3

   Law school (JD, juris doctor)

   3 years

   Take business associations, securities, tax and contracts. Big firms hire most of their students through a formal recruit in second year.

4. 4

   Articling at a firm

   About 1 year

   8 to 10 months at a firm, rotating through corporate, litigation and other groups, plus the barrister and solicitor licensing exams. Ontario's Law Practice Program is the alternative to articling.

5. 5

   Called to the bar, hired back

   Ceremony

   Most big-firm articling students are offered a first-year associate job in the group where they fit best.