A2J CONFERENCE -“Wait, what now??: The Future of Articling, Law Jobs and Legal Training in Ontario”
Saturday MARCH 25, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 pm
For further information please contact Yavar Hameed at yhameed@hameedlaw.ca or David Ang at david@vanierlaw.on.ca
LOCATION : Ryerson University, Classroom KHE323A (Kerr Hall East 323A) 340 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3
11:00 a.m. – 3:30 pm
A2Justice is organizing a one day conference addressing the labyrinth of licensing and the problems with lawyer certification. We know that law students and licensing candidates are facing an increasingly competitive, costly and rapidly changing certification process in the midst of diminishing law jobs. Law schools fees are skyrocketing. Articling jobs are decreasing. The LPP Program may not be a permanent licensing pathway. Licensing exams are being condensed, while prospects of law employment are becoming more difficult. Join us for a one day discussion on the future of your profession.
INTRODUCTION 11:15 – 11:30 a.m. A2J Members
PANEL ONE: On the Future of Articling (11:30 am. – 12:30 pm)
Is articling a relic? Why do we still have it? Recently, the Law Society attempted to scrap the LPP, but what safety net is there for people who cannot get articling positions? Free articling positions anyone? Not like it wasn’t hard enough to get an articling position in the first place, now the devaluation of articling jobs is making the availability of paid positions more scarce. Can or should the Law Society step in to breathe life and equity into articling? How about a progressive levy? Anyone? Anyone?
REFRESHMENTS & AND SNACKS AVAILABLE – 15 minute break
PANEL TWO: Free Market vs. Fairness in getting a Law Job (12:45 – 1:45 pm)
Once you graduate from law school, you get an articling position – right? Then you get a job – right? Except it isn’t your right – the deciding factor is the market. Is the future of the profession being defined at the whim of the free market? What’s the cost of entry to this profession? Who sets the terms? For whose benefit? Is there an alternative?
15 minute break
PANEL THREE: Drawing the Line between Legal Education and Legal Training – (2 pm – 3 pm)
Law school tuition fees are rising and so are licensing fees. Law schools are creating more experiential-based learning, but the Law Society still remains the gatekeeper of monitoring professional standards for entry to the profession. What is being taught in the bar examination process? Does it make lawyers or can we learn about how to become a lawyer during law school? Recently the Law Society has yet again changed the rules on licensing – what bearing do the PPE and PSE examinations have on a candidate’s ability to lawyer? Is this an arbitrary line drawing exercise? A rite of passage? A necessary competency building exercise or a way to narrow the herd in a climate of increased competition?
CLOSING COMMENTS & WRAP UP (3 to 3:30 pm)
FOR INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS UNABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON IN TORONTO, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE ON MARCH 25TH FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIVE STREAMING OR CALL IN TO THE EVENT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND EVENT REGISTRATION GO HERE
INTERESTED IN FOLLOWING US LIVE? CONTACT yhameed on SKYPE to be added to the live skype call. Follow us on Twitter @a2_justice –> Tweet your questions using #a2jfuture
