UVic Law FAQs

Madam Justice Louise Arbour, former Supreme Court Justice and former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaks to UVic Law students. (September 2008)

Potential Legal Careers

1. Does the Faculty have a Law Careers Office?
2. What is the placement rate for UVic Law graduates?
3. What career options would be available to me once I graduate?
4. Is a UVic J.D. degree transferable to other provinces?
5. Is a UVic J.D. degree transferable to the U.S.?

 

1. Does the Faculty have a Law Careers Office?

The Faculty has a Law Careers Office staffed by a full-time Law Careers Officer, and a student articling committee to assist students seeking articling positions, court clerkships, graduate studies, summer jobs and other law-related employment. Career service activities include assistance with résumé writing, law firm surveys, postings of available positions, career days, articling receptions for law firms and on-campus interview days.

 

2. What is the placement rate for UVic Law graduates?

UVic law graduates have been extremely successful in obtaining excellent employment opportunities both in Canada and abroad. The Faculty's first class graduated in 1978. Since that time, many of its graduates have worked for the finest law firms in the country, at government cabinet tables, as members of the judiciary, and at the most senior levels of government, business and public service institutions.

 

3. What career options would be available to me once I graduate?

In addition to entering the private practice of law, many of the Faculty's graduates are employed by the federal and provincial governments. Departments of government that have employed UVic law graduates include the federal Department of Justice, the provincial Ministry of Attorney General, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance. Government agencies that have employed our graduates include the Ombudsperson's Office, the Human Rights Council, the Securities Commission, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Several of our graduates have developed political careers at federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. Other graduates have been attracted to corporations, private businesses and careers in academic research and teaching.

 

4. Is a UVic J.D. degree transferable to other provinces?

The Faculty of Law is accredited and the UVic J.D. is recognized as a qualification for entry into the bar admission program of all provinces in Canada except Quebec. It is also recognized in the three territories of Canada.

 

5. Is a UVic J.D. degree transferable to the U.S.?

The Canadian and U.S. legal systems are based on somewhat different legal traditions. Consequently, it is difficult (but not impossible) to transfer legal education between the two countries. Each state Bar association has different requirement that you must meet to be eligible to write its Bar examination.

UVic is a member of an American organization called the National Association of Law Placement Professionals (NALP) and therefore our Law Careers Office has information on American employers. If you become a student at UVic Law, the Law Careers Office could direct you to resources that would help you with your search for employment in the U.S. However, your employment search would also have to be self-directed and pro-active. A major factor to consider when seeking a summer position with an American employer is that the employer will likely place a strong emphasis on law school grades.