See how the two roles stack up in terms of tasks, training, licensing, salary, and more.
Paralegal Training Program
Complete our accredited Paralegal training program in just 12 months. Get fully prepared to pass the Ontario paralegal licensing exam. Learn from experienced legal professionals in a friendly, small class setting.
What is a Paralegal?
In Ontario, licensed paralegals have the right to represent clients in certain legal matters.
The Law Society of Ontario states licensed paralegals can practice in the following areas:
- Small Claims Court: claims up to $35,000.00, such as slip and fall, employment contracts, wrongful dismissal, contract disputes, and unpaid invoices
- Criminal Summary Convictions: criminal offences with a maximum $5,000.00 fine, imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both
- Provincial Offences: such as offences under the Highway Traffic Act
- Boards and Tribunals: such as the Landlord and Tenant Board, Financial Services Commission of Ontario, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Herzing College Paralegal Training Program
Herzing College offers an accelerated Paralegal training program. This is an intensive diploma that prepares students for paralegal licensing in just 12 months:
- Accredited by the Law Society of Ontario
- 12-month diploma program (20 hours per week)
- Evening classes are available
- 4-week internship
- Multiple program start-dates throughout the year
- Financial assistance is available for those who qualify
Career Outlook
There is steady demand for skilled paralegals in Ontario. Many graduates choose to start their own practice or join existing paralegal firms.
Some paralegals specialize in a particular area of law—such as landlord and tenant disputes or small claims cases. Others are generalists, providing legal services in several different practice areas.
Paralegal Job Opportunities
Licensed paralegals in Ontario have a wide range of job opportunities. Choose from career paths in the public and private sectors:
- Lobby groups
- Government agencies
- Corporate legal departments
- Non-profit organizations
- Law firms
- Private practice (start your own firm or join an existing paralegal practice)
Who Hires Our Graduates?
Successful graduates of our Paralegal training program have been hired by:
- Bekiaris Law Firm
- Brown & Bell
- Grillone Law Firm
- Kostyniuk & Greenside
- Ontario Court of Justice
Study Topics
Herzing’s Paralegal training program covers all the topics featured on the Ontario licensing exam, including Statutes and By-Laws, Torts and Contracts, Small Claims Court, Tribunal Practice, Provincial Offences, Criminal Summary Conviction Procedures, and Ethics
Click to see a detailed description of paralegal courses.
This course will focus on the use of a computer in a legal office. It will include instruction in advanced word processing using Microsoft® Word, the practical application of the concepts and features of a spreadsheet package using Microsoft® Excel, and the study of the principles and features of a presentation graphics package using Microsoft® PowerPoint.
This course introduces the Paralegal to the judicial system and its structure. An in depth analyses of the system in action will be explored along with the nature of law, its role in society and its development. Other issues include but are not limited to include, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the common law and equity, and different sources of law.
This course is a complete communications program that enables students to improve their writing skills and to become familiar with the various forms of communication required of the legal professional. The course will focus on improving students verbal and writing skills, using examples drawn from the legal field. It emphasizes spelling, grammar, listening, and speaking skills, and provides extensive guidance on writing and formatting memos and letters.
This course in an overview of the concepts of good legal research and the techniques involved in doing a search for statutory law, common law and case law affecting the way we interpret the law today. Techniques that will be explored include online searches in Quicklaw and eCarswell Lawsource and include trips to the law library.
Students will be guided through the concepts of an act of parliament, how it begins, how it is prepared, and how a law comes into force. Analysis of statutes and bylaws will be explored. Sections, subsections, paragraphs, parts and divisions and how it must be read as a whole are discussed.
Students are introduced to the concepts of civil liability resulting from breach of duties arising at common law as distinguished from contractual or criminal liability. Students learn how to identify the three elements necessary to prove tort liability: duty of care, breach of duty and resulting injury. Further, students are given an overview of the common law of contracts, the concepts of offer and acceptance, consideration, conditions, material breach and damages. Students learn how to prepare a simple contract, and how to avoid issues of capacity, undue influence and conflict of interest.
Consumer protection legislation and the nature of a contract of sale for the sale of goods are explored here. Lecture topics include, but are not limited to, contractual duties of sellers and buyers, historical development of consumer protection, remedies of buyers and sellers and consumer protection related to business practices.
The Law of Evidence is a multifaceted and quickly changing area of law. The intent of this course is to engage the student’s thought processes and provide a firm base in this important area of law. Students will be familiar with the rules governing the admissibility of evidence; understand the functions of the law and competing interests; and understand the role of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Students will be guided through the concepts of alternative dispute resolution and will be able to compare and contrast this with the adversarial system in matters of civil disputes. Resolving conflicts through negotiation, collaboration with lawyers, mediated solutions and arbitration are discussed.
Students will be involved in presenting persuasive legal arguments. The identification of the legal issue at hand is discussed as well as how to research, identify and locate meaningful legislation. Being able to communicate in both oral and written formats is stressed. Advocacy skills including witness preparation, opening statements, cross-examination techniques and final arguments are reviewed. Students complete the course with participation in a mock trial.
Students study the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act and the application of the law to various common landlord and tenant conflicts. Process service, form filling and filing, time limitations and tribunal etiquette are key features of this course. Students do an in-depth study of the procedures for evicting a tenant for non-payment of rent and other violations.
The majority of all civil actions in Ontario are heard in the Small Claims Court. Representation in this court often accounts for a major portion of a paralegal’s work load. Students learn how to represent a client in the collection of an unpaid account, or in commencing a tort action. Students learn to represent a plaintiff from the beginning to end of an action. This course also provides a study of the rights of creditors and debtors, as well as the procedures available for the recovery of debt on behalf of clients.
Student will study general principles unique to administrative law, including the relationship of administrative tribunals to government, the courts, and laws of evidence, natural justice and judicial review. Statutes and Rules of Procedure for various leading Tribunals are reviewed. Students will demonstrate an understanding of relevant primary legislation (e.g., Judicial Review Procedure Act, Statutory Powers Procedures Act, Human Rights Legislation, etc.) Appeals, judicial review and standards of review will also be explored.
This course will discuss the general practices and procedures before administrative tribunals. Students will be able to identify and interpret enabling legislation of particular tribunals. Students will have a thorough understanding of the tribunal hearing process, the sequence of proceedings in a tribunal hearing, and will understand the nature of evidence introduced at a tribunal hearing. The different boards, commissions and tribunals such as Social Benefits Tribunal, Financial Services Commission of Ontario, Assessment Review Board, and Ontario Municipal Board will be discussed.
This course is an overview of issues relating to the employment relationship. Topics include duties of employers and employees, dismissal and wrongful dismissal, employer liability and termination of the contract of employment. Labour laws are also canvassed. The role of the Ontario Ministry of Labour will also be examined.
Students are introduced to the rules and practical aspects of defending clients charged under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). Graduates learn how to prepare for hearings and to present cases on behalf of clients. A Field Trip to the court familiarizes students with this critical venue. In conjunction with the HTA, students will understand the various provisions of the Provincial Offences Act. Proceedings by way of Certificate of Offence, Summons, and parking infractions are included in the lecture periods. Trials, sentencing, charter motions, and appeals will also be discussed in detail.
Upon studying this course, the future paralegal will demonstrate the elements necessary to understand different types of crime and relevant legislation (e.g. Criminal Code). The role of the police, the crown, and the defendant in criminal proceedings will be discussed. Other issues that will be examined in detail include, but are not limited to: summary conviction proceedings and available defences; disclosure obligations; diversion options; understanding plea bargains; criminal summary conviction trial procedure; and an understanding of sentencing and appeals.
This course is a discussion of ethics and associated ethical problems from the viewpoint of the practicing paralegal. A focus on business ethics and the legal dilemmas encountered will prepare the students for the situations they might encounter in the legal field.
The students will study and practice with a computerized billing program and other applications commonly used in law offices. PCLAW is highlighted in this course. Students will learn the opening of a file, tracking of a file, docketing and setting up of accounts.
This course is an overview of issues relating to the setup and operation of an Independent Paralegal Business. Topics include the writing of a Business Plan, obtaining financing, office management and advertising. Client relations such interviewing skills are also discussed. Leasehold options, including locating with a law office, are also examined.
This mandatory course helps students prepare for employment, conduct a successful campaign to find employment, and be successful in their career. Topics covered; preparation of a resume, covering letter, thank you letter, interviewing techniques and communication skills to use in job search.
The internship component of the program is the practical application of a student’s knowledge and skills in an industry environment. The internship requires attendance working in the industry setting. The duration of the internship is 120 hours, during which the student must satisfactorily complete a minimum amount of work experience.
Instructors
An avid reader, I have experience in various courts, especially provincial courts. I’ve taught subjects like chemistry and physics and am currently working at the Ministry of the Attorney General Ontario Court of Justice.
I am passionate about teaching.
I have been in the paralegal field since 2015. My practice has ranged from small claims court to most recently accident benefits. I have both a degree and diploma in Justice Studies from the University of Guelph-Humber. I graduated from the paralegal program at Sheridan College in 2015. I have been in the teaching field since I can remember. My first job as a teenager was teaching children simple math and English. With COVID making an unexpected appearance in our lives, I was able to explore this in further depth, and I started teaching English via an online portal to students of various ages overseas.
I love teaching at Herzing College, and I hope to teach for many more years to come.
I am a paralegal in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario since 2012. Currently I am pursuing my LLM at Osgoode Hall at York Universit, in order to become a lawyer in Ontario. I have several decades of experience in the legal profession. I have a passion for teaching and I am also an emerging artist. As an avid sports fan, I cheer for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Marilyn Taupan is a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), and the Law Society of Ontario.
She completed the paralegal program at Sheridan College and graduated with high honours in 2013. She was hired immediately as a legal assistant with an immigration consulting agency in Toronto, where she gained significant experience in study permit, employment, and family-based immigration matters. In 2014, Marilyn enrolled in and completed the immigration consultant certificate program at Humber College in Toronto, where she graduated with honours.
As an active community member, she volunteers with Brampton Multicultural Community Centre and North and Dufferin Legal Community Centre.
With years of experience in business management, having managed a family-owned business in New Jersey, USA for five years and managing Canadian House Import and Export, a company that export commodities to the Middle East and Africa since 2001, Marilyn started her own immigration firm, the Canadian House Consulting Inc., where she represents clients in various immigration issues with integrity and professionalism.
Teaching is her passion, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with her students.
Admission Requirements
What you need to get started.
- Minimum of a Canadian high school grade 12 or equivalent (Ontario high school diploma or equivalent) or a mature student (19 years of age or older and has been removed from full-time high school for minimum 2 years)
*Students applying as mature students must demonstrate appropriate levels of math, English literacy, comprehension and/or written skills to warrant success and completion of program - Pass an entrance test administered by Herzing College
- Be interviewed in detail regarding interest in the field
- Note: admission to some programs may include additional requirements
Tuition and Fees
Please click for information on program tuition and fees
Overview
RELATED LEGAL STUDIES PROGRAMS:
CAMPUS
INDUSTRY
Legal Studies
PROGRAM LENGTH
12 Months (20 hours/week)
Includes 4 week internship
LEARNING MODALITIES
On Campus
EXPLORE CAREERS
TRY OUR CAREER EXPLORATION KIT
Our online kit takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
2022 Overall Graduate Employment Rate
88% of available Herzing College Toronto graduates were employed in a related field.
*statistics based on most recent available
Your Next Steps
Ready to learn more the Paralegal training program? It’s easy to get started. Choose from the following options:
- Fill out the form to ask questions via email
- Chat online with an Admissions Advisor to get your questions answered now
- Click Request Info to get started today!
Program Partners
Why Choose this Program?
- Learn from expert instructors with decades of experience as paralegals and lawyers
- Get fully prepared to pass the paralegal licensing exam
- Small classes where every student gets step-by-step support
- Get real work experience for your resume with a 4-week internship
- Graduate in just 12 months
- Get access to the Herzing Open Education Program (HOEP), which lets you take additional courses after you graduate, tuition-free!
- Exceptional Career Development team, who helps create your resume, prepare for interviews, and apply for paralegal jobs