Program Overview
Foreign Trained Lawyers Program
The Foreign Trained Lawyers Program (FTLP) is a 12-month Post-bachelor’s Certificate offered by the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary for internationally trained lawyers who wish to become accredited to practice common law in Canada.
Program Description
The FTLP is custom-built for the needs of internationally trained lawyers, both those who are newcomers to Canada and Canadians who have chosen to attend law school abroad and wish to return to Canada to practice common law. The program covers the five core NCA common law subjects in which internationally trained lawyers must demonstrate competence:
- Canadian Criminal Law
- Canadian Constitutional Law
- Canadian Administrative Law
- Foundations of Canadian Law
- Ethical Lawyering/Professional Responsibility
In addition, the FTLP’s Law 430 Professional Development course is approved by the NCA under its Policy Manual section 10.3.1 as satisfying the NCA legal research and writing requirement.
Unique Features of the FTLP
- Award-winning professional development: In Law 430 Professional Development, students learn a host of practical skills to stand out in the competitive legal job market—from drafting pleadings and writing briefs to taking part in a diversity-focused advocacy lab in the Faculty’s Moot Court.
- Designed for working professionals and those with families: The FTLP is designed for students who work during the day and all FTLP courses are offered via evening in-person classes. The FTLP offers caregiver group coaching to support those balancing family responsibilities.
- Certified executive career coaching: The FTLP has a dedicated Certified Executive Coach who provides both one-on-one and group career coaching to FTLP students.
- Award-winning teaching: The FTLP is led by Teaching Excellence Award winner and FTLP Executive Director, Dr. Kellinde Wrightson.
Meet the FTLP Team
- Dr. Kellinde Wrightson, BA Hons I, LLB, PhD: Associate Professor and Executive Director
- Madeleine Natale, MA, CEC, ACC: Assistant Director
- Carmen Ho: Admissions and Student Services Officer
Program Testimonial
The legal professionals I have had the privilege to article alongside have made (what can be) the long road to articling as a foreign trained lawyer all worth it. I have learnt so much from those who have helped me through my articling and I am forever grateful for the experience and insight I have gained.
Sanchia Thompson
2021/22 FTLP alumna, Articling Student, Oakley Family Law, Calgary
University Acknowledgement
The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation within Alberta (including Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6).
The University of Calgary is situated on land Northwest of where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, a site traditionally known as Moh’kins’tsis to the Blackfoot, Wîchîspa to the Stoney Nakoda, and Guts’ists’i to the Tsuut’ina. On this land and in this place we strive to learn together, walk together, and grow together “in a good way.”