Canadian Lawyer 4Students

University of Victoria Faculty of Law dean Donna Greschner says UVic runs an excellent co-op program that approximately one third of its law students participate in, which could provide insights for Ontario. The co-op program takes place after first year and students complete three, four-month placements usually within government, a non-profit organization, and a law firm. Students are paid and can choose to do their co-op anywhere in the world. They also take a series of seminars and lectures in advance of the co-op. It does take three-and-a-half years to obtain a law degree though, compared to the standard three years at most Canadian law schools, and students go to school through the summer. Greschner says the extra time is well worth it. "A well-designed coop program — which is what we have at UVic — is a superb educational opportunity for students, gives them excellent work skills, [and] allows them to apply their academic learning. They become better lawyers, I think, because of it," she says. Some law deans have seen a practical legal training program firsthand in other jurisdictions. Camille Cameron spent 10 years in Australia as a law professor and associate dean at the University of Melbourne before becoming dean of the University of Windsor Faculty of Law in January 2012. In Australia, there are various licensing models depending on the state. At Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, students can choose to article or take a practical legal training course. In the United States, there is no articling requirement. However, since the release of the Carnegie Foundation for the a blueprint for maximizing your career potential New PubliCATioN RainDance: The Business DeveLOpmenT GuiDeBOOk fOR LawyeRs GArY MiTCHEll Graduate from law school and hit the ground running. Raindance: The Business Development Guidebook for Lawyers puts the ability to maximize your career potential directly in your hands. ORDeR # 985110-65203 $70 Softcover approx. 170 pages August 2012 978-0-7798-5110-2 Shipping and handling are extra. Price subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. This book, the first of its kind in Canada, teaches you the author's same four-step process that he has used to coach practitioners of all specializations and personalities in successfully building their practices. You will find: • Key guidance on effective and successful business development • Expert direction through the complete business development cycle – starting with target-market research to create your own business plan, to implementing an action plan that will be your road map – as well as all the steps and considerations in between • Tips on related skills that will raise your profile, such as networking effectively, developing or enhancing presentation skills, and getting published • Advice on how to develop relationships that turn into business – including getting more business from your current clients • Hands-on, interactive exercises and checklists that help you assess and plan accordingly to achieve your business development goals No matter where you are in your career, once you have worked through this easy four-step process of creating your own business plan, you will know what steps to take to reach your goals. AvAilAble Risk-FRee FoR 30 DAys order online: www.carswell.com Call Toll-Free: 1-800-387-5164   in Toronto: 416-609-3800 C A N A D I A N Law yer 4 students Spring 2013 17

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