Are there too many lawyers in Canada? It’s a good question. I recently read an article that some law students or NCA students cannot find articling positions.

A top businessperson in Canada said that there are too many lawyers in Canada. Many people go to school and get their bachelor’s degrees.

The students still don’t know what they want to do next, so they apply for law school. Assuming they get good grades and can do a decent job on the LSAT, they are on their way to becoming lawyers.

Others skip the LSAT, attend law school in England or Australia, and become NCA students back in Canada. The top businessperson said that the trades have tons of work, but not enough people are signing up for school.

Canada is oversaturated with lawyers?

The legal industry doesn’t have enough work, and people keep signing up for law school. If you are good with your hands, you should think about trade school instead of law school.

It’s not just about how much you can make per hour. It’s about how many hours you can get paid for.

If you make $85/hour in trades, but you can work 60-hour weeks, that’s better than getting paid $300/hour but not making much money because work so few hours.

Be careful of what law schools and Law Societies tell you about job prospects. I highly recommend speaking to a lawyer before applying for law school.

Law schools and Law Societies/ State Bars make money off people becoming lawyers.

Canada has a high number of lawyers

Some young lawyers carry massive debt loads. With that debt, many lawyers then have to go open a law practice. They don’t even have enough money to spend on marketing.

There are ongoing legal education fees and law society fees. These costs add up and add to your law practice debt load.

The job market is not suitable for lawyers right now.

The funny thing is that at the same time, there is a problem with access to justice. Many people have a hard time finding a lawyer. You should Google “Adapting to the Times National Magazine” to learn more.

Some call it the access to justice crisis. It’s worth looking into.

How Many Lawyers Are There In Canada?

There are 130,000 lawyers in Canada. That is a lot of lawyers for the population of the country.

Ontario has also added over 10,000 paralegals, who can do simple legal work (including some court work.) It is likely that other provinces will give rights to paralegals at some point as well.

In the United States, 1,300,000 attorneys are practising. Given that the USA has 10X the population of Canada, the ratios of lawyers are around the same.

We highly recommend looking at other options besides law school. There is also currently a shortage of doctors in places like BC and Alberta, and it is possible that other provinces are also desperate for doctors.

A Lawyer abundance in Canada

Canada is actually offering permanent residency to attract doctors from other countries. Hospitals have recruiting campaigns in places like Australia, England, and New Zealand.

If you think you could be a doctor instead of a lawyer, you should consider it. Again, you should also think about the trades.

There are also a lot of jobs in engineering, especially when it comes to coding. Even if you become a lawyer, many give up after a few years.

Being a lawyer, especially dealing with lawsuits and divorce, is super stressful!

Articling positions Canada

My personal feeling is that if you cannot convince a managing partner to hire you as cheap labour, you will not be able to convince the judge of things either. Perhaps it’s a sign that litigation is not for you.

Even being a solicitor comes with having to be assertive. You will always have to deal with difficult people (sometimes your clients) as a solicitor.

If you are a law student or NCA student, you should consider writing articles for Clearway (or submit your best work from law school.) This can help you get articles.

Statistics about law students and lawyers in Canada

Canada’s vibrant legal ecosystem thrives on the strength of its numerous law students, law schools, and practicing lawyers. This country, home to over 37 million residents, claims many of these critical actors in the legal world.

Approximately 16,000 law students chart their path in this intricate field every year, according to the 2022 report from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.

These students strive towards their legal ambitions in a country that boasts over 20 prominent law schools. Some are perched in bustling city centres like the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, while others, like the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Law, lend their learners a picturesque coastal backdrop.

The year-over-year growth rate in law students

It’s noteworthy to consider that these figures fluctuate yearly, with the rising interest in legal studies often spurring a surge in student enrollment.

The year-over-year growth rate in law student numbers has hovered around 1.8% for the last five years. This trend speaks volumes about the allure of a career in law for Canada’s younger generation.

Quebec’s unique legal education landscape slightly skews these numbers. Its civil law degrees, distinct from the common law degrees offered in other provinces, draw in an exceptional cohort of students.

Roughly a quarter of Canada’s law students are enrolled in civil law programs, illuminating Quebec’s significant contribution to the national legal education framework.

A glance at the number of law schools reveals a strong foundation for these aspirants. As of 2023, Canada hosts 24 law schools, a subtle rise from the 22 recorded a decade ago. These schools have both nurtured the country’s legal talent and served as potent engines of socio-economic progress.

Canadian Bar Association

Moving from academia to practice, the Canadian Bar Association reports a count of nearly 130,000 lawyers plying their trade in the vast Canadian legal landscape as of 2023.

This figure has grown by 2.3% annually in the last five years. Ontario houses the most lawyers, accounting for almost 50% of Canada’s legal professionals. This preponderance is partially linked to Ontario’s dynamic economic activity, with a plethora of industries needing expert legal guidance.

More women are also stepping into the legal field, lending it a diverse character. Female lawyers now make up over 40% of the legal profession in Canada, a significant increase from just over 30% in 2013. This gender shift paints a promising picture of the evolving inclusivity within Canada’s legal industry.

The ratio of lawyers to the population is an important metric to consider. With one lawyer for approximately every 280 Canadians, the country’s legal profession significantly impacts society.

It highlights how these legal professionals, drawn from a wide array of law schools and having traversed the challenging terrain of legal studies, serve as the linchpin for Canada’s rule of law and democracy.

Too many lawyers in Canada?

It’s worth noting the relationship between law students, schools, and active lawyers is cyclical and interdependent. Today’s law students are tomorrow’s lawyers, continually replenishing the pool of legal practitioners.

Canada’s law schools, in turn, adapt to changes in the profession, ensuring their curriculum stays relevant to the evolving needs of the legal industry. This symbiosis is crucial to maintaining the vitality of the legal profession, and by extension, the justice system in Canada.

While the figures change with each passing year, the essence remains the same: law students, law schools, and lawyers are integral parts of the Canadian legal sphere.

They not only form the backbone of the country’s legal infrastructure but also serve as its lifeblood, driving its growth and evolution.

In conclusion, you should think about the things below before applying to become a lawyer in Canada. Do more research into each of them.