SASKATOON — The Government of Saskatchewan is allocating $100,000 to support practical learning placements for students at the University of Saskatchewan College of Law.
The College of Law has been working to expand its experiential learning program over the past year.
“The practice of law is increasingly interdisciplinary and requires graduates who are adaptable, innovative and collaborative," University of Saskatchewan College of Law Dean Martin Phillipson said.
"Practical learning experiences, intertwined with knowledge-based learning, are crucial to the success of our graduates. These experiences will build and enhance their skills and capacity, preparing them for a career in a complex and ever-changing legal profession.”
The Federation of Law Societies encourages law schools across Canada to offer a variety of practical learning opportunities.
“In the lawyer formation process, the importance of ‘hands-on’ experience in developing lawyering skills cannot be overstated," Law Society of Saskatchewan Executive Director Tim Brown said. "Nor can good mentorship. The perennial problem has been the limited number of opportunities for students to access these experiences.
Professional legal organizations have also emphasized the importance of building competency and confidence for law students through practical work experience.
“The Canadian Bar Association (CBA)/Saskatchewan Branch supports the expansion of the Experiential Learning Program, as it hones essential legal skills in law students while bolstering Saskatchewan’s legal marketplace, ensuring we can keep our province’s legal profession robust and growing,” CBA Saskatchewan President Steven Dribnenki, K.C., said.
“This new, diverse range of placements will promote legal careers in the public sector, including in rural Saskatchewan, improve access to justice, and build important professional capacity for the future,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said.
