Hi All,
Just now saw on U of T website that they are starting a new LLM -Global Professional LLM with focus on Business Law-. DOes any one have a detailed idea about the program?
what's the program, its fulltime or parttime, is it meant for working professionals all around the world, if yes, then what is the design of the program etc., etc.,

May be its pre-mature to post this thread but very much eagar to know how is it useful for foreign trained lawyers to do Part time LLM in Canada.

Any views on this are highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
- LegalIndia

Hi there -

I'm the assistant dean for the graduate program at U of T Faculty of Law. I'm glad you're interested in the new GPLLM program.

The program is considered "full-time" because it is completed in one year, although the courses are designed for working professionals. Classes will be offered in Toronto in the evenings and on weekends.

The program is open to lawyers and a select number of non-lawyers with experience related to law. Applications will be available by January 2011 and will be considered on a rolling basis. We imagine that most of the interest for the program will come from practicing lawyers and professionals in Toronto but the program may be appropriate for a certain number of internationally trained lawyers as well. It is important to note that the GPLLM does not qualify graduates to practice law in Canada.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Best,
Archana Sridhar

Hi Archana Sridhar,
Thanks for your response. Its great to hear from you on the program. Program looks pretty interesting but my only concern is about the curriculum and the design of the program. As the program's main target seems to be the lawyers & working professionals within Canada, do the curriculum has that required international touch expected by the foreign trained lawyers? I mean, whether the curriculum has the courses like international corporate finance, internatiional business transactions, international business agreements, cross-boarder deals, Mergers & Acquisitions, International arbitration, IPR etc apart from general courses like business law, corporate law, securiteis law etc.
Secondly, How are the classes designed to accommodate the foreign trained lawyers?

By the by I am a law graduate from india having substantial work experience as corporate legal counsel in india and presently since last one year have been working as In-house legal counsel looking after International contracts (projects & commercial) and International Arbitration in a EPC company in MIddle East. I have been looking for an LLM program for working professionals (either in US, UK or Canada) but did not get alteast one good program. However, now this GPLLM is pretty interesting and in fact I was just thinking of sending a mail (to your mailId given on univ website) requesting for the program brochure.

Any information given about the program is highly appreciated. THnaks once again.

-LegalIndia

The curriculum is listed on the website - there are six required courses and six electives (of which you must take three).

If you send me an email with your address, I can have my assistant mail you a brochure.

There was no much information posted on univ website. Thanks lot for the information.
-LegalIndia

Hi Archana Sridhar,

Good Day.

I have gone through the curriculum detailed on univ website and felt satisfied with the inclusion of courses that have much importance on international level. However, I understand a much detailed curriculum along with the list of courses would be available during the 1st quarter of 2011 and its too early to put so many questions on curriculum and program design.

Having said that would I request you to advise me on how this program will be useful for a foreign trained lawyer like me (I gave my credentials in my last post). Your views as Asst Dean of the program will be useful to have more insights on the program.

Thanks in advance for your time.
-LegalIndia

Dear LegalIndia,

It may be best if you email me with specific questions. I think the program will be very valuable for lawyers and non-lawyers interested in practicing business law of any kind or working in law-related areas of business (risk management, compliance, banking, etc.). As I noted earlier, this degree does not qualify you to practice law in Ontario. We hope to have more information on the website by January (including the application, course descriptions, faculty, etc.). Thanks for your interest!

Best,
Archana

Thanks for your response.
Yes, I know that this prgram, to that matter any LLM done in Canada deos not allow a foreign trained lawyer (FTL) to practice law in Canada. One necessarily have to go through NCA process. So My question was not in this respect. I guess this program is useful (i) for those FTL who already qualified / about to qualify NCA exams and wil get licenced to practice in canada. And also (ii) FTLs who eventhough does not want to move to canada, wil be benefited by this program as this adds value to thier CV for higher career prospects.
My main concentration was on second point of thought.

Anyhow, as advised by you, i will mail my specific questions for your guidance.

Once again thanks for your valuable information.

Regards,

LegalIndia