Km0025

Hi all,

I am a qualified lawyer in the UK and preparing to relocate to Ontario before the end of the year now that I have PR. In the process of finishing the NCA exams (a couple left to pass) but needed a few ideas on jobs I could apply for whilst completing the licensing process?

Not too keen on taking up a Legal Assistant role and willing to try something new. Wondered if anyone had ideas or can share their own experiences?

Thanks!

Former Lancastrian

Come on someone has to say it

Used car salesperson as they usually have the values and ethics of a lawyer.

Immigration Law in Canada should be booming unfortunately these clients requiring the services of a lawyer are not usually in a position to pay for legal advice.

tweed_wearer

I spent a couple of years doing commercial contract management (essentially contracts drafting/negotiation) and banking compliance. Paid well and set me up nicely.

You are correct that legal assistant roles will not get you any further forward. legal assistant is “secretary”.

can I ask what your practice area is and whether in-house or pp?

CaptainBelfast

Hi Tweed Wearer, I'm in a similar situation to the original poster. I'm English qualified and work in-house in banking (based in London) - primarily doing contract negotiation as you described. Interested to hear more about your experience...did you work as a paralegal? How did you find the job market? Thanks in advance.

tweed_wearer

Hi, I was transferred with my employer out of a UK Legal Counsel role to a "contract negotiator" job to cover a lawyer's mat leave in Canada and I've been with that employer ever since. Paralegal is a protected title, so be careful about that. Not having moved employers, I haven't tested the job market fully but in Toronto and the golden horseshoe there seem to be a lot of jobs - elsewhere the choice seems quite limited. Generally, I networked, bided my time and relied on a little bit of luck!