Demystifying the path to law in Canada

We talk a lot about access to justice in Canadian law, yet the first barrier appears before a single case is even argued: becoming a lawyer. 

The process of becoming a lawyer in Canada is an exercise in guesswork. For many students, especially those without connections to the profession, the most challenging aspect of law is simply figuring out how to get in. The lack of clarity does more than frustrate students; it drives many of them away. Those who falter are not necessarily the least capable, but often the least connected. Without a parent in the profession or a mentor willing to explain the system, students are left to piece things together from Google searches and online forums. 

People often say the profession is open to anyone with talent and drive, but that promise rings hollow when the path is so unclear. The steps themselves, including undergraduate studies, the LSAT, law school, articling, and the bar exams, are not impossible, but given the number of them and the fact that they’re rife with jargon, they can start to feel insurmountable. Money makes the climb even steeper, as application fees, tuition, and exam prep costs add up quickly and discourage students who might otherwise thrive.

One of the simplest ways to level the playing field is through transparency. What GPA gives you a real shot? How do schools weigh personal statements? What does articling look like in practice rather than in glossy recruitment brochures? Clarity does not lower the bar; it lets everyone see it. When people know what lies ahead, they can focus on reaching the standard rather than guessing what it might be.

Demystifying the process does not water anything down; it explains it. A high school student should know they do not need a “pre-law” major. An undergraduate should understand that a part-time job or membership in a debate club are extremely important factors considered by admissions committees and employers -- and that a perfect GPA can only take you so far. An articling student should realize most of their peers are still figuring out what kind of law they want to practice, and that they’re not behind if they do not have their career perfectly mapped by the time they’re 22.

I wrote How to Become a Lawyer in Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide to give students a clearer, plain-language picture of the process. But a single resource is not enough. Real change must come from within the profession itself. High schools and universities could offer workshops that guide students through the application process. Firms could talk honestly about what articling looks like beyond recruitment brochures. Mentors could remember that sometimes the smallest gesture, like making an introduction, can change the course of a student’s career. 

Lately, I’ve been encouraged to see more firms hosting coffee chats, visiting high schools, and sitting on panels for undergrads. It’s a small but important shift, and I’m hopeful that momentum continues.

Keeping the path to law unclear carries real consequences. Every year, Canadian students leave to study in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia because they believe the Canadian system is too complicated or too closed off. Others give up altogether, convinced they do not belong. When that happens, Canada loses strong candidates, the profession loses diversity, and the justice system loses the chance to serve the public better. If we want genuine access to justice, we need genuine access to the profession. 

The legal community prides itself on fairness and transparency, yet the way in often feels confusing and intimidating. That contradiction should unsettle us. Access and transparency are not optional. They are obligations. If we want the next generation of lawyers to be smarter, more diverse, and more imaginative than the last, we need to make the path clear from the very beginning.

The future of Canadian law does not depend only on who makes it through the door, but also on who even tries to knock. Replace mystery with clarity, intimidation with mentorship, and silence with guidance, and the answer to “how do you become a lawyer?” will finally sound simple. A just profession begins with a just path to join it.