Be in demand as a legal administrative assistant

Sheridan’s Office Administration–Legal diploma program has been developed to give you the most up-to-date legal office skills and knowledge.  Students are prepared to provide legal administrative support within law firms, government/court offices and in-house legal departments.  You'll engage in real-life work experiences through our unique eight-month co-op program option as Sheridan's partners include prominent national and international law firms and legal departments.  Many of our legal administrative diploma alumni continue their education and advance in their career to become law clerks, paralegals, office managers and senior administrators.


By the time you complete your legal administration training, you'll possess skills that will assist you to work in criminal/litigation law, estate administration, real estate, family law, intellectual property and corporate/business law.  Additionally you'll learn to:

  • Produce accurate court documents, compose routine legal correspondence, legal terminology and legal e-transcription
  • Use the latest legal software including Teraview, Lawyer Done Deal, Conveyancer, ACL3 (Automated Civil Litigation), DivorceMate, PC Law, Estate-A-Base and others
  • Job search using traditional and electronic job search techniques, networking, career planning and job interview skills
     

Maximize Your Learning With Mobile Computing

 
Sheridan’s advanced mobile computing teaching environment gives you 24/7 access to the course materials and software applications used in class. Using your personal laptop computer, you can perform class activities, complete assignments, and e-communicate with your professors and classmates. Mobile computing gives you freedom and flexibility that lead to greater learning.

Co-op Field Placement Option

We offer students the option to graduate from the program with a cooperative education component. Enrolment is limited through an additional application process. Students who are accepted into the co-op program will spend two paid work terms (a total of eight months) working in a legal office setting. Co-op work experience complements classroom study and provides an ideal background for enhancing career opportunities. See the Cooperative Education page for details and fees.

This unique combination of classroom study and on-the-job training will allow you to explore a variety of legal office administration careers, gain work experience, and apply classroom learning to a legal office setting.

The Legal Office Administration program is located at the Davis Campus in Brampton, Ontario.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  • Apply scheduling, task coordination, and organizational skills to facilitate the completion of tasks and to meet deadlines in the legal environment.
  • Establish and maintain data management systems to ensure organized electronic and paper records for the legal environment.
  • Coordinate the organizing, processing and responding to electronic and paper communications to facilitate the flow of information in the legal environment.
  • Produce accurate financial records for the legal environment within a specified time frame by compiling information and using appropriate software.
  • Produce accurate legal correspondence by a specified deadline using available computer technology as well as applying recording, editing and language skills.
  • Use effective interpersonal skills in the legal environment to assist the completion of individual and team tasks, to ensure effective customer service, and to promote the image of the organization.
  • Troubleshoot and show initiative in the creation and production of accurate documentation for civil, corporate, real estate, family, and wills and estates law by a specified deadline using computer technology.
  • Provide technical support and training related to computer software to others in the legal environment as required.
  • Use the Internet and its tools in a legal environment to enhance communication and business opportunities.
  • Demonstrate administrative skills to enhance the effective operation of the workplace.

The Vocational Learning Outcomes -- Legal 

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to apply scheduling, task coordination and organizational skills to facilitate the completion of tasks and to meet deadlines in the legal environment.

Elements of the Performance

  • Prioritize tasks.
  • Design and implement a work plan.
  • Cooperatively plan team tasks and responsibilities.
  • Negotiate and meet deadlines.
  • Use electronic and manual calendar and reminder systems.
  • Ascertain deadlines and limitation dates related to action in legal matters.
  • Organize appropriate facilities, equipment, services and supplies to support meetings related activities.
  • Coordinate arrangements for appointments and meetings effectively and efficiently.
  • Organize a workspace according to a full understanding of the roles and responsibilities assigned
  • Use critical thinking techniques to develop decision-making skills.
  • Make decisions appropriate to workplace and position.
  • Apply knowledge of ergonomics to health, safety, and productivity concerns.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to establish and maintain data management systems for the organization of electronic and paper records for the legal environment.

Elements of the Performance

  • Identify the structure, components, equipment and supplies required for electronic and paper filing systems in the legal environment.
  • Use procedures for opening, closing and retaining paper and electronic files.
  • Select and use appropriate storage and retrieval methods for electronic and paper records.
  • Handle records in a manner which complies with statutes and regulations governing privacy of information and retention of records in the legal environment.
  • Apply database concepts to the organization of computerized records for the legal environment.
  • Establish a system for organizing electronic and paper records in the legal environment.
  • Maintain organized, current electronic and paper records for the legal environment.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to coordinate the organizing, processing and responding to electronic and paper communications to facilitate the flow of information in the legal environment.

Elements of the Performance

  • Listen effectively.
  • Follow oral and written instructions.
  • Make notes to record communications.
  • Apply knowledge of telephone, electronic mail.and voice-mail systems to a variety of communication situations in the legal environment.
  • Use appropriate language and style for telephone and electronic conversations in a variety of situations in the legal environment.
  • Use correct legal terminology.
  • Analyze written communications received through electronic and paper communication systems to determine appropriate action.
  • Complete a variety of forms to record communications and support the flow of information in the legal environment.
  • Draft replies to routine correspondence.
  • Compose clear and concise messages.
  • Determine appropriate electronic and paper distribution methods for a variety of internal and external communications.
  • Prepare internal and external communications for distribution.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to produce accurate financial records for the legal environment within a specified time frame by compiling information and using appropriate software.

Elements of the Performance

  • Record information involving law firm and client monies and billing.
  • Use correct legal terminology.
  • Produce docketing records which provide data for the preparation of client accounts.
  • Compile client accounts.
  • Access application software through a computer operating system.
  • Use software to record and organize financial information.
  • Make calculations.
  • Verify the accuracy of calculations.
  • Apply proofreading skills.
  • Prepare final-form financial documents for the legal environment.
  • Meet deadlines.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to produce accurate legal correspondence by a specific deadline using available computer technology as well as applying recording, editing and language skills.

Elements of the Performance

  • Make notes of instructions and other detailed information.
  • Use correct legal terminology.
  • Use reference materials.
  • Access application software through a computer operating system.
  • Apply information processing, editing and transcription skills.
  • Proofread using a variety of techniques, including computer software.
  • Use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Determine correct references for case and statute law.
  • Draft routine correspondence for the legal environment.
  • Organize a workspace.
  • Apply knowledge of ergonomics to enhance document-production efficiency.
  • Convert draft information from paper and electronic sources into final-form correspondence.
  • Meet deadlines.
  • Use database management software effectively.
  • Use integrated software for advanced document preparation.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to use effective interpersonal skills in the legal environment to assist the completion of individual and team tasks, to ensure effective customer service, and to promote the image of the organization.

Elements of the Performance

  • Use appropriate verbal and nonverbal communications for a variety of situations in the legal environmen.
  • Apply ethical principles to workplace situations.
  • Propose appropriate methods for handling confidential information in the legal environment.
  • Ensure the application of the principles of customer service in the legal environment.
  • Recognize the impact of personal image on the image of an organization.
  • Resolve a variety of issues involving interaction in the legal environment with management, co-workers, clients and the public.
  • Work independently.
  • Contribute effectively to team projects.
  • Carry out duties in accordance with workplace rights and responsibilities and within the context of the legal profession's functions and governance.
  • Identify her or his role in the legal environment and its relationship to the structure of the legal profession.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to troubleshoot and show initiative in the creation and production of accurate documentation for civil, corporate, real estate, family, and wills and estates law by a specified deadline using computer technology.

Elements of the Performance

  • Use legal reference materials and document precedents.
  • Anticipate the needs of those requiring the documents and meet these needs without direction or intervention.
  • Use correct legal terminology.
  • Apply knowledge of statutes, rules and procedures to the production of legal documents and the identification of deadlines.
  • Access application software through a computer operating system
  • Assist others in the selection and usage of appropriate software applications.
  • Apply information processing and proofreading skills.
  • Use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
  • Convert draft information from electronic and paper sources into final-form documents.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to provide technical support and training related to computer software to others in the legal environment as required.

Elements of the Performance

  • Work comfortably with a variety of workplace-related software packages.
  • Identify training needs within the workplace related to computer software.
  • Respond quickly and effectively to information requests related to the use and scope of software packages being used in the workplace.
  • Assist others with installing, uninstalling and troubleshooting software packages.
  • Remain current with the changing needs and resources related to software use in the workplace.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to use the Internet and its tools in a legal environment to enhance communication and business opportunities.

Elements of the Performance

  • Communicate globally through the advanced use of electronic mail to promote opportunities for the legal business.
  • Retrieve specific information / software from the global community using a variety of tools.
  • Build and maintain a business web page related to the workplace.
  • Apply ethics to computer software use and Internet communications.
  • Design web pages using web authoring tools.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to demonstrate administrative skills to enhance the effective operation of the workplace.

Elements of the Performance

  • Manage the flow of paper, data, people and information within the workplace.
  • Use time and other resources effectively and efficiently.
  • Provide direction and follow-up related events and occurrences within the workplace.
  • Communicate effectively with co-workers and management personnel.
  • Build and maintain working relationships with clients and suppliers.
  • Produce clear, comprehensive and error-free documentation.

CODE TITLE CREDITS
 
POFAL - OFFICE ADMINISTRATION–LEGAL
TERM 1
COMM 19599 Business English 1 3
APPL 19730 Word Processing Applications 3
APPL 16367 Spreadsheets and Presentations 3
OADM 18823 Document Processing and Proficiency 3
OADM 19402 Office Administration Studies 3
GNED General Education Elective 3
Total: 18
 
TERM 2
APPL 17028 Integrated Office Applications 3
COMM 23431 Business English 2 3
OADM  29599 Advanced Document Processing 3
MATH 12115 Business Math Applications 3
ACCG 15910 Accounting 3
LAWS 11198 Legal Office Procedures 3
Total: 18
 
TERM 3
LAWS 22928 Real Estate Law 1 3
LAWS 28913 Litigation 1 3
LAWS 26947 Corporate and Business Law 3
APPL 29014 Legal Software Applications 3
FLPL 23921 Workplace Preparation 3
GNED General Education 3
Total: 18
COWT 10022  Co-op Education Forum 1
TERM 4
LAWS 26852 Estate Administration 3
LAWS 27732 Real Estate Law 2 3
LAWS 20794 Litigation 2 3
LAWS 26776 Family Law 3
CULT 19518G Living and Working in a Diverse Society 3
LAWS16367 Business Law     3
 
Total: 18

Note: Courses subject to change.

Sheridan trains you in the skills employers value most . When you graduate with your two-year legal administration diploma, you'll be fully prepared to take an entry-level position in a government/court or legal office.  Potential past employers include such organizations as:

  • Downtown Toronto firms
    • Blakes, Cassels & Graydon LLP
    • Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
    • McCarthy Tétrault LLP
    • McMillan LLP
    • Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
    • Shekter, Dychtenberg LLP
    • Stikeman Elliott LLP
  • Brampton/Mississauga firms
    • Lawrence, Lawrence, Stevenson LLP
    • Simmons da Silva & Sinton LLP
    • Speigel Nichols Fox LLP
  • Government/Court offices
    • Children's Aid Society
    • City of Brampton
    • Crown Attorney's Office
    • Toronto Court House
    • Town of Oakville
  • In-House Counsel/Corporations
    • Canadian Tire Corporation Limited
    • First Canadian Title Insurance
    • Loblaw Companies Limited
    • Walmart Canada

“I graduated from Sheridan’s Office Administration-Legal Program recently and ever since that my success just continues to grow. The program itself is amazing, in the sense that the material covered really prepares the student for the real world and more. However, what I appreciated the most was the dedication and guidance our instructors gave us ….”
Jessica C., Legal Administrative Assistant, Stikeman Elliott LLP, Toronto.

“I would not be here at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, one of Canada’s pre-eminent law firms, without Sheridan’s Legal Office Administration program, and particularly, without the hard work of Sheridan’s professors and the work placement experience.”
Katie L. (Class of 2008), Legal Administrative Assistant, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY


Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including these required courses:

  • One English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U)

or

Mature student status. (See "Admissions" section for details.)


APPLICANT SELECTION

 
Eligible applicants are selected on the basis of previous academic achievement (the average of their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses). Although not a requirement, Grade 12 mathematics or equivalent and basic computer skills are recommended.


Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other, related programs.

ADMISSION AT AN ADVANCED LEVEL (DIRECT ENTRY)

Admission at an advanced level into Year 2 (Term 3) is available to applicants with:

  • Appropriate postsecondary education in office administration
  • Consideration through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process
  • Advanced standing or transfer of relevant credits earned at another recognized postsecondary institution

*Course duration for September starts (non-coop) is 2 academic years. Course duration for January starts is 16 months continuous.

Program Offerings

Program Details

Faculty:
Faculty of Business
Program Code:
POFAL
POFLC
Duration:
2 Year Regular (POFAL)
2 Year Co-op (Co-op = September start only; 16 months academic; 8 months co-op option) (POFLC)
Designation:
Ontario College Diploma
Campus:
Davis Campus
Start:
September, January*