What are the Main Types of Lawyers in Canada?
- Commercial Lawyer
- Business or Corporate Lawyer
- Family Lawyer
- Tax Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
When most people think of lawyers, they picture courtroom dramas or high-stakes criminal trials—but the legal profession in Canada is far more diverse and varied than you might realize. Corporate advisors, environmental advocates, international lawyers, human rights and immigration specialists are just a few of the types you can find.
Canadian law and society is complex, and there are new fields and areas emerging every year. If you are considering becoming a lawyer, you will want to know all the different options out there so you can make a decision that will be fulfilling and enjoyable over the course of your career.
A person who studies and practices law is a lawyer, a legal professional who provides legal advice and is authorized to act before the courts or administrative entities. They play a significant role in maintaining the country's law, order, and peace.
Whether you're considering a legal career or simply want to understand who does what in the legal world, this blog explores the different types of lawyers in Canada and what each of them does to keep justice and daily life running smoothly. This guide will comprehensively cover everything you need to know to become these legal professionals, the most common law subfields, their industry roles, and salary expectations.
Commercial Lawyer in Canada
National Average Base Salary: $123,603 per year
Commercial lawyers play an important role as the legal representative of a business. They may represent a business in a court of law, act as an advisor on matters like contracts and compliance, and help to manage risk for the company. The commercial lawyer role can vary depending on the business and its needs. Some specialize in diverse niche areas, such as intellectual property law or consumer protection.
Job Description of a Commercial Lawyer
Salary Expectations of a Commercial Lawyer
The average commercial lawyer salary in Canada is $123, 603 a year, but there is a lot of range in this field depending on the company, expectations, and the experience and expertise of the lawyer. Experienced commercial lawyers, for example, may make over $200,000 a year.
Business or Corporate Lawyer in Canada
National Average Salary: $115,000-$170,000 a year.
Running a corporation can be highly complex. A business or corporate lawyer is needed to help the CEO and upper management navigate legal aspects of forming, operating, and managing a business or corporation. Their role of a business or corporate lawyer includes advising companies on their legal rights and obligations, drafting and reviewing corporate documents such as shareholder agreements and bylaws, and overseeing transactions like mergers, acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations.
Job Description of a Business or Corporate Lawyer
Salary Expectations of a Business or Corporate Lawyer
According to Canada Talent, Canada's average business law salary is between $115,000-$170,000. Entry-level positions usually start at $137,000 annually, while most experienced workers can make significantly more.
Family Lawyer in Canada
National Average Salary: $129,890 per year.
Family lawyers play a multifaceted role in supporting families through major transitions. They provide legal advice, represent clients in court, and assist in matters like divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, and property separation.
Life can get messy. Family lawyers help people to navigate complex legal frameworks and difficult conversations, and draft key documents to be filed in a court of law. They work with people of all ages, ensuring they understand their rights and options in every situation that may occur within a family.
Job Description of a Family Lawyer
Salary Expectations of a Family Lawyer
Canada Talent says the average family law lawyer's salary in Canada is $129,890. Entry-level positions start at $105,000 annually, while most experienced workers make up to $187,143 annually.
Tax Lawyer in Canada
National Average Salary: $183,890 per year or $94 per hour.
Individuals and businesses pay taxes to fund government activities. Tax lawyers ensure that the laws guiding the processes are obeyed and implemented in all industries in a country and help their clients navigate legal issues related to taxes.
In addition, they ensure individuals and businesses do not face legal issues regarding their taxes and handle all tax-related legal disputes that may arise due to a lack of compliance with tax laws.
Job Description for a Tax Lawyer
Salary Expectations of a Tax Lawyer
The average tax lawyer salary in Canada is $183,890 per year. Entry-level positions start at $135,000 annually, while most experienced workers make up to $189,152 annually.
Criminal Lawyer in Canada
Some people find themselves with different criminal accusations ranging from theft to fraud, traffic offense to assaults, or even worse.
However, these people cannot be judged without being given a chance to defend themselves or appeal for leniency; that is why there are criminal lawyers who specialize in defending individuals, groups, and organizations in these situations.
Job Description for a Criminal Lawyer
Canada Talent says the average criminal lawyer salary in Canada is $117,000 per year. Entry-level positions usually start at $70,000 annually, while most experienced workers criminal lawyers can make up to $180,000 annually.
Emerging Legal Specializations in Canada
As we enter new frontiers in technology, environmental issues, and substance use, new legal specializations are gaining prominence. Let's take a closer look at a few of these new areas.
Artificial Intelligence and Technology
Becoming a key specialization as generative AI, data privacy, and algorithmic decision-making pose new legal challenges. Initiatives like Québec’s guidance on AI for public bodies and evolving policy around global AI frameworks, reflect the importance of profession al legal counsel on responsible AI use, IP rights over AI-generated works, and compliance.
Cybersecurity and Privacy
Cybersecurity and privacy laws continue to grow as a result of rising digital threats. Recent studies show that over a third of organizations see increasing cybersecurity disputes, with courts expecting legal teams to handle regulatory investigations efficiently .
Environmental, Social, and Governance Law (ESG)
ESG is gaining traction as businesses face scrutiny from consumers, investors, and regulators regarding the impacts of economic activity on the environment and climate change. Disclosure requirements and enforcement are prompting the need for more ESG savvy legal teams.
Cannabis Related Law
This legal field is emerging due to evolving state of cannabis regulations. Lawyers in these fields increasingly focus on compliance frameworks, consumer protection, and regulatory navigation amid shifting rules and oversight requirements.
What Are the Salary Expectations of Lawyers in Canada?
Different types of lawyers may have various ranges of salaries in Canada, and some earn more than others. A variety of factors impact the salaries of lawyers, such as years of experience, reputation, clientele, location, and more.
Here is a summary of what you can expect in terms of average salary for different types of lawyers in Canada.
| Type of Lawyer | Average Salary | Years of Education |
| Commercial Lawyer | $123,603 | 4-year undergraduate degree + 3-year JD (law school) + 8–12 months articling |
| Business / Corporate Lawyer | $115,000-$170,000 | Same as above |
| Family Lawyer | $129,890 | Same as above |
| Tax Lawyer | $183,890 | Often 4-year undergrad + 3-year JD + optional LLM in Tax Law (1 year) + articling |
| Criminal Lawyer | $117,000 | Undergraduate degree + law school + articling + optional criminal law placements |
Where Can I Find Law Lessons Canada?
To study law in Canada and become a lawyer, students must first complete an undergraduate (Bacheor's) degree in any discipline, typically over four years. Admission to law school then requires writing the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
Once accepted into a Canadian law school, students earn a Juris Doctor (JD), which usually takes three years to complete. In law school, students learn foundational legal principles and may take elective courses in specialized areas such as criminal, corporate, or family law.
After earning their JD, graduates must complete a period of articling and pass their province’s bar admission exams. Once these steps are completed, they are called to the bar and licensed to practice law in their jurisdiction.
Where Can I Get Support in My Law Studies?
Law school is tough, and to stay competitive you will want to get all the help you can to prepare for exams and write strong essays. Hence, one of Canada's best places to get support in your law lessons is Superprof!
The platform offers great flexibility in learning and encourages students worldwide to pursue their dreams without restrictions. On Superprof, distance is not a barrier since you can take lessons from anywhere. There is a tutor for everyone on Superprof.
If you need to take online law lessons or want one-on-one lessons with a tutor, Superprof has you covered, and the best part is that you can choose your tutor and schedule your lessons to suit your daily routines.
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