Considering pursuing a legal career but uncertain what type of role might be the best fit based on your interests, skills, and professional goals? In this post, we’ve taken a closer look at two essential jobs within the Canadian legal system: Paralegal and Lawyer.
Read on to learn more about what it takes to become a paralegal versus a lawyer in Canada (and specifically Alberta), as well as what distinguishes these two professional roles from one another in terms of skills, responsibilities, authority, and more.
Have further questions about how to become a paralegal? Reach out directly to one of our knowledgeable Student Advisors at Robertson College to learn more.
Key Takeaways
- Lawyers and paralegals both play essential roles within the Canadian legal system, but there are significant differences in their training, responsibilities, and authority.
- While lawyers directly represent and advise clients in legal matters, paralegals support lawyers and other legal practitioners in tasks such as conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, managing case files, and more.
- Other key differences between lawyers and paralegals include:
- Becoming a lawyer takes 7 to 9 years, while becoming a paralegal usually takes 1 to 3 years.
- Lawyers are nationally and provincially regulated in Canada. Paralegals are only regulated in the province of Ontario.
- Lawyers can work independently, while paralegals typically work under the supervision of a lawyer/law firm.
- In general, a lawyer earns a higher salary than a paralegal.
- Robertson College’s Paralegal Diploma Program is 31 weeks long and endorsed by the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals. Contact a Student Advisor to learn more!
What Is A Paralegal?
A paralegal is a legal professional who is highly trained to assist lawyers and law firms in a variety of ways. The responsibilities of paralegals commonly include: Conducting legal research and interviews, preparing legal documents, managing case files, organizing casework, interfacing with clients and opposing counsel, attending court, and much more.
While paralegals do not provide legal advice or directly represent clients in courts or other legal settings, they possess a strong foundation in the Canadian legal system and play an integral role in supporting both clients and legal practitioners.
What Is A Lawyer?
A lawyer (also known as an attorney) is a licensed legal professional who provides legal advice, represents clients in court and other legal settings, and drafts legal documents such as wills, trusts, and contracts. Lawyers are experts in the Canadian legal system and may specialize in one or more of the following areas: Corporate law, criminal law, family law, personal injury law, immigration law, tax law, environmental law, real estate law, estate planning, or another legal specialty. They often work closely with paralegals in settings such as law firms, businesses, or government agencies.
The Differences Between A Lawyer And A Paralegal
Lawyers and paralegals both play vital—but fundamentally different—roles in the Canadian legal system. Here’s an overview of some of the differences that set these two professionals apart:
Let’s take a closer look:
Educational Requirements
Educational Requirements For Lawyers
In Canada, lawyers must undergo extensive education and training. Each province and territory has its own specific requirements for being admitted to the bar and becoming a licensed attorney, but 7 to 9 years of post-secondary education and articling is standard for law students across the country.
The educational path to becoming a lawyer in Canada involves the following:
- Earning an Undergraduate Degree (3-4 years)
- No particular type of undergraduate bachelor’s is required for entering law school; however, many students who hope to become lawyers pursue degrees in subjects like English, History, or Philosophy that develop strong writing and critical thinking skills.
- Writing the LSAT
- The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is a standardized test required for admission to most Canadian law schools.
- Attending Law School (3 years)
- Most law school programs in Canada take 3 years to complete, at which point graduates earn their Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD).
- Completing Articling (1 year)
- In all provinces except Quebec, law school graduates are required to complete approximately one year of practical professional training, known as articling, before they can become licensed as lawyers.
- Bar Admission
- In some provinces, passing a bar exam is the final step to becoming licensed to practice law.
- In other provinces, like Alberta, admission to the bar involves the completion of a program such as the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) with the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education.
Educational Requirements For Paralegals
Paralegal is an unregulated profession in Canada, except in the province of Ontario, where paralegal professionals are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario. This means that there are no formal licensing requirements for paralegals in Alberta. That being said, legal experience (through a job or internship) and/or post-secondary education related to Canadian law, or specifically, paralegal training, can be highly beneficial in opening up professional opportunities in the paralegal field.
At Robertson College in Calgary and Edmonton, our Paralegal Diploma Program is licensed under Alberta’s Private Vocational Training Act (PVTA), endorsed by the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals, and meets the criteria for Paralegal Membership in Alberta. It equips students with a broad knowledge of Canadian law as well as a more in-depth focus on corporate law, criminal law, family law, property law, contract law, litigation process, legal analysis, legal drafting, and more. Admission requirements for entering the program include a minimum of 1 year of experience working in a legal assistant role and the completion of a legal assistant diploma program, plus a successful interview with a Student Admissions Advisor.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities Of Lawyers
Practicing lawyers have many responsibilities as part of their professional duties. These include:
- Representing Clients – Lawyers directly represent the interests of clients in court, during negotiations, and throughout other legal processes and proceedings.
- Providing Legal Advice – Clients rely on lawyers to advise them on their rights, obligations, and the best course of action in legal matters.
- Drafting Legal Documents – From wills to trusts and contracts, lawyers are responsible for drafting a range of binding legal documents.
- Developing Case Strategies – Lawyers are responsible for developing effective legal strategies that will help their clients in court and other legal settings.
Responsibilities Of Paralegals
Paralegal work involves a diverse range of responsibilities, including the following:
- Legal Research – Paralegals perform substantive legal research to support the lawyer/law firm they work for.
- Document Preparation – Paralegals assist in the preparation and organization of legal documents such as briefs and court filings.
- Case Management – Managing cases by maintaining records, tracking deadlines, organizing evidence, and interfacing with clients and other legal professionals is a key paralegal responsibility.
- Interviews – Paralegals may conduct interviews with clients and witnesses in preparation for legal proceedings.
- Court Support – Paralegals often attend court to provide support to the lawyer(s) they work under.
Cost And Hiring Differences
It is usually substantially less expensive to hire a paralegal than to hire a lawyer. That being said, in most Canadian provinces, including Alberta, the majority of paralegals work under the supervision of a lawyer who directly oversees the services they provide to clients. Learn more here about independent paralegal services in Alberta.
Authority
While paralegals can assist clients with a broad range of legal matters, they do not have the authority to practice law in most provinces. In Alberta, lawyers licensed by the Law Society of Alberta (LSA) are the only legal professionals with the authority to provide legal advice, sign legal documents, or represent clients in court or during other legal proceedings.
Skills
Quite a bit of overlap exists between the skill sets needed to become a paralegal or a lawyer. Both professional roles require:
- Excellent research and writing skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- A high level of attention to detail
While lawyers must possess strong analytical, strategic, and negotiation skills, paralegals must be highly organized and able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Can A Paralegal Become A Lawyer?
Yes, many paralegals choose to become lawyers. Often, their extensive legal background and experience are a major advantage when applying to law school.
Salary Difference
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank platform, the median salary for a lawyer in Canada is approximately $120,000 annually, and the median salary for a paralegal in Canada is approximately $68,000 annually.
The numbers for Alberta are somewhat higher than the national average, with lawyers in the province making a median salary of approximately $145,000 per year and paralegals making a median salary of approximately $75,000 per year.
Regulation Differences In Canada
In Canada, lawyers are highly regulated. Every province and territory has its own law society responsible for licensing and regulating lawyers (in Alberta, it’s the Law Society of Alberta). At a national level, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada coordinates and brings together all of the provincial and territorial law societies.
With the exception of Ontario, paralegals are not regulated in Canada. Many paralegal associations, including the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals (AAPP), are advocating for the regulation of the profession in order to ensure consistent training and accountability standards.
Job Outlook
Job growth is expected to be limited for lawyers in Alberta over the next few years, but the paralegal job market is projected to see moderate growth and be favourable for qualified candidates during the period between 2024-2026. This is a great time to join the paralegal profession!
Graduates of Robertson College’s Paralegal Diploma Program are well equipped to find employment in legal firms or other legal settings. Paralegals in Alberta may also be self-employed.
Begin Your Journey Today
Join the legal profession in the rewarding role of paralegal with an industry-recognized diploma from Robertson College’s paralegal program in Calgary. Contact one of our knowledgeable and supportive Student Advisors today to learn more and start your journey!
