Foreign Trained Lawyers Program
Source: https://law.ucalgary.ca/future-students/post-jdllb-certificate-programs/foreign-trained-lawyers-program Parent: https://law.ucalgary.ca/
Earn your National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) requirements in one academic year.
What do I need to apply to the program?
Diversity means having a legal profession that reflects our population.
Dr. Kara Mitchelmore
CEO, Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education
Become an accredited lawyer in Canada
The Foreign Trained Lawyers Program (FTLP) is a 12-month Post-bachelor’s Certificate offered by the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary for internationally trained lawyers who wish to become accredited to practice common law in Canada.
Please be sure to read carefully the requirements in your National Committee on Accreditation assessment report or letter and all relevant information about the Foreign Trained Lawyers Program, including the University Calendar, to see if this Program best suits your needs.
The FTLP is run by Professor Kellinde Wrightson, who is an internationally trained lawyer herself and has lived this journey. Students in the FTLP are supported by their own Admissions and Student Services Advisor and an International Coaching Federation accredited Certified Executive Coach. Professor Wrightson and a team of experienced Calgary-based legal practitioners teach the mandatory FTLP courses.
The FTLP is custom-built for the needs of internationally trained lawyers, both those who are newcomers to Canada and Canadians who have chosen to attend law school abroad and wish to return to Canada to practice common law.
The FTLP covers the five core NCA common law subjects in which internationally trained lawyers must demonstrate competence: Canadian Criminal Law, Canadian Constitutional Law, Canadian Administrative Law, Foundations of Canadian Law, and Ethical Lawyering/Professional Responsibility.
In addition, the FTLP’s Law 430 Professional Development course is approved by the NCA under its Policy Manual section 10.3.1 as satisfying the NCA legal research and writing requirement. The Executive Director of the FTLP, Professor Wrightson, teaches Law 430 and her new book Decoding Canadian Legal Research, Writing and Conventions: A Guide for Internationally Trained Lawyers is the set text and offers a host of information to help internationally trained lawyers navigate the journey to practice common law in Canada.
Unique features of the FTLP
Award-winning professional development
In Law 430 Professional Development, students learn a host of practical skills to stand out in the competitive legal job market—from drafting pleadings and writing briefs to taking part in a diversity-focused advocacy lab in the Faculty’s Moot Court.
Designed for working professionals and those with families
The FTLP is designed for students who work during the day and all FTLP courses are offered via evening in-person classes. The FTLP offers caregiver group coaching to support those balancing family responsibilities.
Certified executive career coaching
The FTLP has a dedicated Certified Executive Coach who provides both one-on-one and group career coaching to FTLP students.
Award-winning teaching
The FTLP is led by Teaching Excellence Award winner and FTLP Executive Director, Dr. Kellinde Wrightson.
Apply to the FTLP
Professional Development in the FTLP
The legal professionals I have had the privilege to article alongside have made (what can be) the long road to articling as a foreign trained lawyer all worth it. I have learnt so much from those who have helped me through my articling and I am forever grateful for the experience and insight I have gained.
Sanchia Thompson
2021/22 FTLP alumna, Articling Student, Oakley Family Law, Calgary
Meet the FTLP Team
Dr. Kellinde Wrightson, BA Hons I, LLB, PhD
Associate Professor and Executive Director
Madeleine Natale, MA, CEC, ACC
Assistant Director
Carmen Ho
Admissions and Student Services Officer