About - Ryerson's Law Practice Program

About Ryerson’s LPP

Ryerson's Law Practice Program (LPP) is the first of its kind in Ontario. Innovative, rigorous and demanding, the eight-month LPP is an approved pathway to lawyer licensing in Ontario (equivalent to articling), offering simulated, virtual training with a hands-on work term. Ryerson works with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and the legal community, including a strategic alliance with the Ontario Bar Association (OBA), to deliver a dynamic program that prepares Law School graduates to succeed in their legal practice and careers. The focus is on developing the skills and competencies future lawyers need for success. The eight months of the LPP is more like work - not school - helping to develop the skills and competencies lawyers need.

Timeline

2014

After Ryerson was awarded the contract by the LSO to develop and deliver a three-year pilot program, the program launched with its first cohort in August, 2014; in addition to welcoming our first Candidates, from the beginning of the year, we engaged with lawyers across the province to create the simulated virtual files; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

2015

The program grows–Sheila Block and Jim Seckinger enthusiastically agree to deliver 3 days of Trial Advocacy workshops during each of the in-person weeks in August, October and December; some work placement opportunities open for consideration by LPP Candidates in the summer prior to the start of the program; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

2016

Ryerson’s LPP Team (including The Chang School and ISTC partners) are recognized with Ryerson’s Julia Hanigsberg “Make Your Mark” Staff Award; Corporate Counsel programming is added to the Training, with presentations, webinars and scenario considerations; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

2017

Recognizing the successes and benefits of the LPP, the Law Society of Ontario votes to extend the LPP pilot for a further two years; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

2018

January 16, Ryerson’s LPP was awarded a 2017 Champion of Diversity Award by the Province of Ontario; October 9th, the LPP hosts its successful “Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Conference: The Power of All Of Us”, bringing together members of the profession, with current Candidates; in late December, once again recognizing the impact and benefit of the LPP, and the contributions that were being made to the profession by the nearly 1,000 graduates of the program to date, the Law Society of Ontario votes to keep the LPP as a pathway to licensing in Ontario; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

2019

By the end of our 6th year, over 1300 law graduates will have completed the LPP as their chosen path for licensing; 100% of Candidates were placed with employers from various areas of practice including private practice, in-house, government and legal clinics.

2020

The LPP is set to welcomes its 7th cohort, and introduce further program innovations to enhance the experience of Candidates and their preparation for the profession.

Our Team

Chris Bentley

Managing Director

Gina Alexandris

Senior Program Director

Fariya Walji

Assistant Director

Patricia Campagna

Instructional Program Coordinator

Lee Mendelsohn

Academic and Records Coordinator

Keya Selby

Work Placement Coordinator

Lindsay Kane

Work Placement Coordinator

Janet White

Work Placement Coordinator

Felicia Singh

Work Placement Assistant

Marwa Brayman

Program Assistant

Jaclyn Nobrega

Program Assistant

Doug Lou

Computing and Technical Analyst

Limariz Gatmaitan

IT Assistant

The Chang School

Live Actor Simulation @ Ryerson

LAS@R

What's Being Said About Us

The LPP has been making an impact on the legal profession. Don't just take it from us, read what Candidates, Alumni, Mentors and Employers are saying!

Nothing but rave reviews. Both candidates have been really great. You have students who have done it before. It’s amazing the work they are able to do and how they hit the ground running. They know the concepts. We’ve been really impressed with the program.

It was rigorous and comprehensive. I loved it and benefited a lot from it. After litigation and negotiation trainings, I am more confident to conduct these proceedings.

One of the most important things I learned from [my mentor] was how to juggle responsibilities.

I am very happy at the placement. I have attended examinations under oath, written settlement proposals, also client intake, docketing and affidavit of documents. They want me to stay on long term so I am thinking beyond the 4 month placement, trying to absorb and work on as much as possible to be prepared to join the firm after my placement. I feel confident because of the training.

Wonderful! So informative to watch them grow and get more confident as the weeks go by.

LPP helped me get hands-on training for client interviews. It also helped me familiarize myself with conveyancing software for real estate transactions.

Our candidate has a grasp that’s more advanced than I would expect from a student. He has really absorbed the concepts of the program and applied them to this placement. You can see it in the way he conducts himself. He owns everything he does; this placement is an opportunity, not merely a means to an end.

It is a wonderful program. Well thought out. Well executed. An incredible learning experience. It is the future. I feel grateful to have been part of this program. It was very demanding but I could always see the benefits.

His experience and knowledge was invaluable to me throughout his mentorship term. He was always ready to answer my doubts regarding any of the assignments. His explanations were always clear, knowledgeable, insightful, practical. He always offered the perspective from his experience.

I am really enjoying the placement and the people are wonderful. My first week, I was thrown into a trial where I helped with a 140 page factum – and a 340 page legislative review. The LPP training gave me a lot of confidence; I understood what was going on when I started helping with the trial/factum. Very happy!

It is great to virtually act as a mentor. It provides an opportunity for those of us at a distance to be involved.

Gained more self-confidence, better legal research and writing skills. Learned how to properly prepare for and present a case in court.