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Law is so diverse and fascinating, and it is amazing to know that it places so much value on family relationships because, as they say, family is the bedrock of society. Family law regulates everything that concerns families, including marriage, paternity, adoption, divorce, child custody, and the economic matters that affect families.
This field is a great career opportunity for any aspiring lawyer that wishes to make a significant impact in society by ensuring that every family get the help they need to maintain a peaceful and stable relationship.
Family law is one of the most interesting aspects of law, although it can be complicated because you have to deal with people's emotions which are not always stable. However, as long as you are passionate about what you do, you will enjoy every day you spend being a family lawyer. Are you interested in business law? Read this guide!
Therefore, to make this dream a reality, let’s start by learning some vital things that will help you kick-start your career.
What Does a Family Lawyer do?
As a family lawyer, you will work with people of all ages, including children and adults, advising them on their rights and options. However, your duties and responsibilities will vary from one case to another and can depend on the firm you work with, so here are some of the tasks you may be required to do as a family lawyer.
- Try to reach an agreement and settle complex claims outside the courtroom.
- If no settlement can be reached, you will take the case to court and represent your client.
- Research past cases that are similar to your ongoing files.
- Empathetically and effectively manage all emotionally unpredictable situations that may arise as you work with various clients.
- Negotiate, draft, and review court documents.
- Evaluate and examine all evidence that may be beneficial to your client.
- Collaborate with other professionals that may help your clients; for example, police officers, psychologists, social workers, doctors, etc.
How Much do Family lawyers make in Canada?
A family lawyer in Canada can make up to 67 CAD per hour, which is equivalent to an average salary of 138,398 CAD per year. An entry-level family lawyer with 1 to 3 years of experince should expect to earn an average salary of 96,163 CAD per year, while a senior-level family lawyer with at least eight years of experince will earn up to 172,192 CAD per year.
This data is well-researched and compiled from anonymous family lawyers in Canada, and it shows that Canada is an amazing place to practise family law. You will rest assured that you will earn enough to enjoy a successful career.
However, salary expectations vary with certain factors like gender, province, level of experince, educational qualifications, and skills that make you exceptional. So depending on where you fit in, your salary can be lower or higher.
Learn more about criminal law in Canada.
Is Canada a Good Place to Practice Family Law?
Canadians are law-abiding, and the country is one of the most peaceful across the globe, so the law is an excellent career choice in Canada.
Aside from the fact that family lawyers are well paid, Canadian universities and colleges are ranked as some of the best in the world, so if you have chosen to study law in Canada, you will be doing so in an excellent learning environment with top-notch facilities and practice opportunities.
In addition, Canada has many opportunities for family lawyers since there are so many law firms and organizations that are ready to accept people in this profession. Also, if at any point you decide to start your own law firm, Canada is a business-friendly country; your estimated success rate will be very high. So, in a nutshell, Canada is an amazing place to study and practise family law.
Qualifications Needed for a Family lawyer
Anybody can become a family lawyer in Canada if they meet the necessary qualifications. However, here are the educational qualifications you need to practise family law in Canada. It is also important to note that these qualifications may vary in different provinces in Canada.
Bachelor's Degree in Law
Of course, it is no surprise that a bachelor's degree is needed for family law; it is the lowest qualification any lawyer is expected to have. However, while some people may consider getting an undergraduate degree in related courses because most law schools accept candidates with a variety of undergraduate degrees, many employers prefer to hire lawyers with a bachelor's degree in law.
So the first qualification you must meet to become a family lawyer in Canada is to get a bachelor's degree in law. Also, obtaining a bachelor's degree in Canada usually takes 3 to 4 years.
Juris Doctor (JD) From an Accredited Law School
After getting a bachelor's degree, the next step is preparing for law school admission. You cannot get into law school without passing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), so you should first prepare for the test by self-study, hiring a tutor or joining a study group. The test can be taken in your final year; if you pass it, you will qualify for law school.
At the end of your law school training, you will get a Juris Doctor degree which is the second qualification you need to practise as a family lawyer in Canada.
State License
A license is your final qualification to be a family lawyer in Canada. Even after completing law school, you will not be recognized in your profession without a license.
However, to get a license, you must take the state bar exam, which is usually organized according to your state or province's rules. It may include a series of exams that will last a few days and might have multiple-choice or essay questions, but once you pass the exam, you will officially become a state's bar member and be free to practice family law.
Experience
Another very important thing most employers look out for is experience. They want to be sure you know what to do on the job, not just the theoretical knowledge you got from school. So even during your undergraduate studies, you can gather experience through volunteer work, internships, training contracts, and so on.
Also, after graduation, you can spend quality time doing an internship in a law firm that specializes in family law so that you will learn your responsibilities and expectations as a family lawyer. This will also allow you to build connections and valuable relationships that will help you as you progress in your career.
Additional Qualification
Even after you get a license to practice family law, you may need to accumulate continuing education credits throughout your career to stay relevant and keep your license. To do that, you can take in-person or online courses, attend lectures, seminars, and conferences and stay updated with the latest developments in your profession.
In addition, you may want to consider getting a master's degree; although it is not necessary for a family lawyer, it is a great way to advance further in your career.
Follow these steps to become tax lawyer in Canada.
Skills Needed for a Family Law
So, we have covered the educational qualifications you need to be a family lawyer, but what skills are required to perform the duties of a family lawyer more efficiently and become exceptional in your career?
- Sound reserach skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Ability to empathize with your clients while remaining professional
- Strong negotiation and drafting skills
- Exceptional communication and listening skills
- Ability to explain legal matters to people with little or no knowledge of family law
- Passion for helping people and fostering healthy relationships
- Ability to stay neutral and unbiased when dealing with clients
- Open-mindedness
- Ability to cope with emotionally tasking situations
- A good understanding and experience of litigation and other dispute-resolution methods
- Ability to work and relate with people of all ages and from all works of life
Where to Find a Family Law Tutor in Canada
Ready to explore a career in family law? Start by getting the help you need to navigate the right path to success. There are so many universities, law schools, and law firms in Canada; you can go through websites or visit them in person to decide which is best for you.
However, getting admission into the best university and law school may not be enough to guarantee your success, which is why a family law tutor is highly recommended.
In addition, while there are so many tutors you can choose from in Canada, knowing which one can give you precisely what you need for a successful career may be challenging. Luckily, you do not have to worry about this because Superprof can always help you. Learn more!
Once you join the platform, you will be free to assess several tutors and choose the one that suits your needs. For example, your law tutor can give you in-person or online law lessons, help you do assignments and prepare for exams, and give you the best career advice anyone can ask for. So if you wish to progress faster in your career, you need a family law tutor in Canada.
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