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How to Become a Canadian Tax Lawyer

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Becoming a Canadian tax lawyer requires several specific steps mandated by a provincial law society. Tax layers must join their provincial law societies, complete training and pass examination requirements. It is beneficial to major in a finance-related field as an undergraduate and then train in tax law in your law program. Because tax laws change often, completing continuing education courses is also helpful.

Obtain an undergraduate degree in finance, economics or business. This will be helpful in preparation to become a Canadian tax lawyer.

Apply to an accredited Canadian law school. You must provide transcripts of your undergraduate degree or be a third-year student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must also pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), with a recommended score of 140 or higher. You can register to take the LSAT through http://www.lsac.org.

Apply for entrance to your local law society upon law school graduation. This is a requirement for all practicing lawyers.

Article, or intern, with a law firm for nine to 12 months. Check with your law school to find out how many months are required. If possible, article with a law firm that specializes in taxation. All lawyers in Canada are required to article prior to practice.

Complete a 10 to 12-week law professional legal course and testing. This is required of all law school graduates in every province in Canada. You must have an articling position prior to enrolling in the course. You can arrange this with your provincial law society. Passing the exam also equates to bar admission.

Tip

If you have received your law degree outside of Canada, you can apply for admission to your provincial law society through the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA), nca@flsc.ca.

You can find the list of Canadian law societies at http://www.flsc.ca/en/lawSocieties/lawSocieties.asp#list.

In order to maintain your license to practice, you must pay an annual fee to your provincial law society and comply with your governing body&#039;s code of conduct.

References
Tips
  • If you have received your law degree outside of Canada, you can apply for admission to your provincial law society through the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA), nca@flsc.ca.
  • You can find the list of Canadian law societies at http://www.flsc.ca/en/lawSocieties/lawSocieties.asp#list.
  • In order to maintain your license to practice, you must pay an annual fee to your provincial law society and comply with your governing body's code of conduct.
Writer

Katrina Matterhorn is experienced in technology consulting for two of the largest technology companies in the world. Since 2009 she has specialized in technology, business and home and garden articles. She has a double major in English and political science from Austin College in addition to Microsoft and IBM certifications.