After completing the NCA examination many law students ask the question “What next?” How do I complete the LSO licensing process? What is the Law Practice Program (LPP)? Do I Qualify?
Hi! my name is Paula Poniatowska and I am a current LPP Candidate and recent NCA Graduate. I personally opted to complete my "articling requirements" through the Law Practice Program (LPP) at Ryerson after completing my NCA Exams as the program’s structured learning format and the opportunity complete the first half of my experiential training virtually during the COVID-19 Pandemic made sense. In this multi-part blog series I will outline, first, what the LLP is and how to register; secondly, I will give you an overview of my experience going through the program as an NCA Graduate and provide tips on how to succeed in the LPP.
What is the LLP Exactly?
After graduating from law school or completing the NCA Exams, LPP Candidates complete a 4-month hands-on training simulation before taking on a 4-month work placement at a firm or within another organization’s legal department. LPP candidates have the same rights of appearance and responsibilities as an Articling student. Each LLP candidate is assigned to a virtual firm where they collaborate on simulated client files in seven legal practice areas with supportive mentors who help you along the way.
The Ryerson LPP program has become very popular this year at least approximately 260 students were registered and participated in the online training. Some of the students were Canadian law students who lost their articling positions due to the pandemic the other half were NCA students and foreign trained lawyers looking to complete their lawyer licensing process. The LPP strongly recommends Candidates complete both the Barrister and Solicitor examinations prior to beginning the LPP, although they are not required to do so. Popular themes and skills that one develops at the LPP are: Professionalism and Ethics, Oral and Written Communications; Research Skills; Analytical Skills; Client Relationship Management; and Practice Management.
How to Register for the Law Practice Program
Obtain your NCA Certificate of Qualification
Register on the LSO Licencing Portal by the deadline (June 15, 2021 for this year)
Pay the Online Fee $3,164.00
Two Components Required to Complete the LPP
Simulated Virtual Law Firm Experience – 4 Months
Practical Work Placement – 4 Months
4-Month Simulated Training: Virtual Law Firm Experience (August – December)
During the 4-month practical training, you will work Mondays to Fridays approximately 8AM – 6PM EST both individually and in your virtual “law firm” of approximately 4 to 6 other LPP Candidates supported by a practicing lawyer who acts as a mentor. You will learn through doing via interactive and experiential tasks like webinars and workshops, written assignments, and oral assignments (e.g. client interviews, simulated depositions, oral arguments, etc.). I think this part of the LPP has two main strengths:
The assignments and tasks are practical – the simulated files you work on are developed by practicing lawyers so they are as close to “real world” experience as you can get in a simulated environment.
The skills you learn are relevant – through the 4 months I: interviewed clients; conducted legal research; drafted legal documents, letters and agreements; learned how to develop a client-focused approach to legal practice; conduct negotiations; prepared my clients for meetings, depositions, etc.; argued motions; conduct examinations and cross-examinations; and manage the client and the practice like it was my own firm.
In addition to guidance from my supervising mentor, I also got to learn from and interact with industry leaders like Sheila Block and Jim Seckinger who provided Trial Advocacy workshops.
4-Month Practical Training: Work Placement (January – April)
While I have yet to start my LPP placement, I have been informed that it will be very much like working at a law firm and doing what Articling students do -- only for a shorter period of time. Additionally, because LPP candidates have been trained to hit the ground running through the virtual law firm experience, you are ready to jump right in and make the most of your 4-month work placement.
It is worth noting that LPP candidates are responsible for finding their own work placements before January. Ryerson supports you by offering a database of LPP employers but a job is, by no means, handed to you or guaranteed. You have to put the work in of applying and contacting firms on the jobs database yourself. Alternatively, you can also find your own placement outside of the database but these will have to be approved by the Ryerson careers team before you can start working. LPP Employers listed on the database include major institutions, large and small firms, specialty boutiques, governments, clinics and sole practitioners throughout Ontario.
In my next post, I’ll go more into depth about my experience with the LPP and what I took away from it. I’ll also address some Frequently Asked Questions to help you. Make an inform decision about what route to take when completing your LSO experiential training component.