student standing at podium

Professional Development in the FTLP

Preparing internationally trained lawyers for the Canadian job market.

Award-winning programming and teaching

The Foreign Trained Lawyers Program (FTLP) is home to award-winning professional development programming and teaching. Our programs are designed to equip internationally trained lawyers with the practical and career-building skills necessary to compete in the articling placement marketplace and have the same opportunities as Juris Doctor (JD) students in Canada. 

Learn more

Licensing and employment process for foreign-trained lawyers

Apply to the NCA

Apply to the NCA for assessment of legal qualifications.

Visit NCA

Complete NCA requirements

Complete NCA exams, course work or law school program as outlined in your NCA assessment.

Once complete, you will receive your Certification of Qualification.

Complete your articles

Secure an articling placement for 8 to 12 months. You must also apply for and complete a bar admission course.

Get called to the Bar

Once your articles and bar admissions course are complete, you need to arrange to be called to the bar and to apply to the relevant law society for a licence to practise law.

Alberta Bar Admission Program

I love Professor Wrightson’s Law 420 Foundations of Canadian Law because it is a good start, and her Law 430 Professional Development helps us improve the skills that are essential to be a lawyer in Canada.

Yan Wang

Lawyer from China, 2023/24 FTLP student

Certified executive coaching

Caregiver Group Coaching for Law Students

A semester-long series that supports law students who are also caregivers—whether they are parenting, expecting a child, or supporting aging family members. Participants are provided with a confidential and reflective space to navigate the intersection of caregiving and academic life.

 

Job Search Accelerator Group Coaching

This eight-week coaching program supports internationally trained law students seeking legal employment in Canada. Participants engage in structured reflection, peer learning, and action-oriented planning tailored to their unique backgrounds and career transitions.

Guest lectures within the FTLP

These guest lectures are embedded coaching principles within L420 Foundations and L430 Professional Development, and seek to help students apply professional development concepts through experiential and reflective learning.

Group coaching feedback

57%

of students reported a decrease in stress levels.

86%

of students felt clarity and direction in their job search.

0%

of students felt alone in their job search.

“This group coaching experience equipped me with proactive career-building strategies I’ll apply at every stage of my legal journey in Canada, including networking with purpose and articulating my value."

Job Search Accelerator group coaching participant

2025