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C. FEATURE – CANADIAN AND AMERICAN LICENSURE IN 14 MONTHS OR LESS

"You've all heard the wonders of the JD/LLB programs that current exist between Canadian and American law schools. These programs are designed to get you qualified for licensure in both jurisdictions, but do they really work? As a recent graduate of the Windsor/Detroit Mercy program, I'm excited to report that becoming a true international lawyer is easier than you might think.

Getting licensed in most American jurisdictions is pretty straightforward. You study all summer and write a two day exam in July. Ontario appears to be following this route, trading in its eight comprehensive exams for a more streamlined system next summer. It's pretty simple until you add 10 months of mandatory Ontario articles.

After a little research, I discovered that Ontario's Law Society allows graduates to spend six of their 10 months of legal training in another country under International Articles. There is a lot of paperwork involved in this process, and the key requirement is that the experience must be substantially similar to what you'd receive in Ontario (ie. mirror most or all of the 13 lawyering skills).

During my third year of law school I accepted an associate position with Bowman and Brooke LLP (my current employer) in the suburbs of Detroit. Recognizing the value of an Ontario license, my firm granted me a four month leave of absence for Ontario articles, while simultaneously offering to provide sponsorship for my six month international articling requirement. Instead of trying to write both bar exams simultaneously, I re-scheduled the Ontario exams for this upcoming summer and then secured a four month articling term with McCarthy Tetrault in Toronto. Here's a summary detailing my ongoing dual licensure experience:

1. Bowman and Brooke LLP - International Articles

Start May 10/04 - End July 2/04 - 8 Weeks

2. Completion of Michigan Bar Examination

Start July 5/04 - End Aug. 2/04

3. Bowman and Brooke LLP - International Articles

Start Aug. 2, 2004 - End Sept. 10/04 - 5 Weeks

4. McCarthy Tetrault - Ontario Articles

Start Sept. 7/04 - End Jan. 7/05 - 18 Weeks

5. Bowman and Brooke LLP - International Articles

Start Jan. 10/05 - End April 8/05 - 13 Weeks

6. Ontario Bar Admission Course - Academic Phase

Start May /05 - End Aug /05

TOTAL COMPLETED ARTICLES - 44 Weeks

Becoming an international lawyer can't be fully described in a few short pages, but I'd be happy to discuss the ups and downs of this process in greater detail when you're ready to seek dual licensure!"

Now you are admitted to the bar in Canada and the U.S. How do you then become a U.K. solicitor? See the feature article – BECOMING AN ENGLISH SOLICITOR IS JUST A CONVERSION TEST AWAY.

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