What is the difference between a law clerk and paralegal?
It is important to understand the difference between law clerks and paralegals. The key difference is that law clerks work under the direction and supervision of a lawyer while paralegals are private business operators who provide legal services to the public without the supervision of a lawyer. Until recently, anyone could call themselves a paralegal. Traditionally, becoming a paralegal was considered as a second career. People with years of legal and life experience such as police officers would become paralegals. Today, paralegals are regulated by the Law Society of Upper Canada and new paralegals are required to take an approved two year college program. If you are thinking about becoming a paralegal you should consider that option very carefully for a number of reasons. Graduating from a paralegal program does not qualify you to become a paralegal. You must also pass a professional licensing exam set by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Paralegals, unlike law clerks, have to purcha
