Where can I study law in Ontario?
Asked by: Sunny Grady I | Last update: March 19, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (16 votes)
Ontario boasts several reputable law schools, including the University of Toronto, Osgoode Hall (York), Queen's University, Western University, University of Ottawa, Windsor, Lakehead, and TMU (Lincoln Alexander), offering diverse environments from major city centers to smaller campuses, known for strong programs that feed into Canada's legal market, especially Bay Street firms.
What university in Ontario is best for law?
University of Toronto and York U are ranked highest for law school in Ontario, but if you want to work in Ottawa, you may want to go to law school at UOttawa.
How long does it take to get a law degree in Ontario?
Western Law is typically a three-year program. You'll need to complete at least three years (although most students complete four) of an undergraduate degree before you start your Law degree. And no, it doesn't have to be a “pre-law” program. You're encouraged to study anything you want before applying to Law!
What is a law degree called in Ontario?
What is a Juris Doctor (JD)? The JD is the first level of a professional law degree. The Canadian JD is an undergraduate common law degree, similar to a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), that provides the legal education to qualify to practice law in Canada.
How difficult is it to get into law school in Ontario?
Competitive applicants to Ontario law schools typically have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of an A- (80-84%). Each program may have specific application requirements or may include special categories for applicants to be uniquely evaluated. Check each program of interest individually.
Law School in Canada - MY HONEST EXPERIENCE
What is the average salary for a lawyer in Ontario?
As of Jan 13, 2026, the average annual pay for a Lawyer in Ontario is $105,797 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $50.86 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,034/week or $8,816/month.
Is law school 2 years in Canada?
So you want to be a lawyer? Law school is a three-year program, followed by 12 months of "Articling," where you work under the supervision of a practising lawyer and develop your lawyering skills.
What is the quickest law degree to get?
The fastest ways to get a law degree involve accelerated Juris Doctor (J.D.) programs, like two-year J.D.s (e.g., Southwestern Law's SCALE) or combined 3+3 programs with undergrads, letting you finish in as little as 3-6 years total (including undergrad), while specialized, non-traditional routes in California might technically offer faster paths but are difficult. For a quicker master's in law, Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs can be completed in about 12 months, but these don't qualify you to be a practicing lawyer.
What are the four types of law in Canada?
Public law and private law
- criminal law.
- Constitutional law.
- administrative law.
Is 40 too late to become a lawyer?
No, 40 is not too old for law school; many older applicants successfully attend, leveraging life experience as an advantage, with a significant percentage of law students being 30 or older, and some older graduates building fulfilling second careers. While balancing family, work, and finances requires planning, law schools often value the maturity, dedication, and diverse perspectives older students bring, making it a feasible path for many.
What kind of lawyer makes the most money?
The highest-paid lawyers are often in specialized fields like Patent Law, requiring science/engineering backgrounds, and Corporate Law, especially those advising major firms, plus Securities & Antitrust Lawyers, Medical Malpractice, and Intellectual Property (IP) Law, where high stakes and complex regulations drive huge incomes, particularly in BigLaw or in-house roles with bonuses.
Can I do law school in 2 years?
Yes, you can finish law school in two years through specific, accelerated JD programs offered by some law schools, like Southwestern, Drexel, and Gonzaga, which condense the traditional three-year curriculum into a fast-paced, intense, and often summer-intensive format, designed for highly motivated students who want to start their legal careers sooner. These programs are competitive and require consistent focus, but they allow for earlier bar exam eligibility and entry into the workforce, though they often involve less elective flexibility than traditional programs.
Which bachelor's degree is best for a lawyer?
There's no single "best" undergraduate major for law school; the American Bar Association (ABA) emphasizes strong reading, writing, analytical, and research skills, regardless of major. Popular choices like Political Science, History, English, Philosophy, and Economics are common due to their focus on critical thinking, but majors in STEM, Arts, or Business also lead to successful law school admission, especially if they align with a student's interests and future legal focus (e.g., Technical majors for patent law). Focus on a challenging major you enjoy, excel in (for GPA), and that develops strong communication and logic.
Which Canadian law school is easiest to get into?
University of New Brunswick – Faculty of Law: Located in Fredericton, UNB Law primarily offers the JD and the MBA/JD programs. With its high acceptance rate, lower LSAT and GPA requirements, but a smaller number of first year students, these make UNB Law one of the easiest law schools to get into in Canada.
How do I go to law school in Ontario?
Let's go over these steps in more detail.
- Earn a bachelor's degree. To qualify for admission to a law program, you must have first finished your bachelor's degree or post-secondary studies. ...
- Take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) ...
- Apply to a law school. ...
- Review for and pass the bar exam.
Who has the cheapest law school?
Most Affordable Law Schools
- UNIVERSITY OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
- TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.
- NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY.
- CUNY SCHOOL OF LAW.
- BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY.
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA.
- UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS.
- UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE – KNOXVILLE.
Is law school harder than medical school?
Medical school is generally considered harder due to its intense, fact-heavy curriculum requiring massive memorization and dealing with life-or-death stakes, while law school focuses more on reading, critical thinking, and analysis, though both are rigorous and demand significant commitment. Med school involves vast scientific knowledge and clinical rotations, whereas law school builds analytical "thinking like a lawyer" through heavy reading, writing, and case application, culminating in high-stakes final exams.
Do law students work while in school?
In the past, the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar restricted full-time students from working more than 20 hours per week. In 2014, however, the ABA eliminated that limit. Instead, individual law schools may maintain employment policies for their students.
Do lawyers make $500 an hour?
Yes, many lawyers, especially those with experience or in specialized fields in major cities, can and do charge $500 or more per hour, though rates vary widely, with averages often in the $200-$400 range, while less experienced lawyers in smaller areas might charge much less. Rates depend heavily on practice area (corporate, litigation), location (DC, NYC are higher), experience, and firm size, with senior partners in big firms reaching significantly higher rates than junior associates or solo practitioners, notes PracticePanther.
What kind of lawyer is the easiest to become?
The easiest law to practice often depends on an individual's skills, interests, and tolerance for stress. Still, many consider estate planning or family law among the more accessible areas due to relatively predictable case structures and lower litigation intensity.
What's the hardest law degree?
As you saw above, Constitutional, Tax, and Evidence Law are the most grueling courses. All three of them have different factors that add to their complexity. Also, again, it goes down to your studying skills and determination in how you tackle each one of the courses.
Can you become a lawyer at 40?
We get these questions all the time too – and the answer is YES you can become a lawyer in your 30s, 40s and 50s – and no, it's not too late!
Do lawyers get paid well in Canada?
Salary: $130,000 to $170,000 per year
Whether you're handling civil and criminal cases, litigation and trial lawyers are some of the lawyers that make the most money.
What is a law degree called in Canada?
JD (Juris Doctorate) is an American designation since the U.S. law degree is a 'graduate' degree and requires an 'undergraduate' degree for admissions to a U.S. law school. The Three Year Canadian JD is 'Just a Degree'. The Canadian JD designation is a marketing moniker only and is an 'LLB degree by another name'.