U of T law program wins kudos

The University of Toronto Faculty of Law’s Internationally Trained Lawyers program has won an international award for ingenuity in law.

The College of Law Practice Management awarded its 2011 InnovAction Award to the bridging program that helps internationally trained lawyers get qualified to practise law in Ontario.

The 10-month course, launched in 2010, gives students hands-on experience in the Canadian legal environment. It graduated its first class in March 2011.

The U.S.-based organization created the InnovAction Awards, now in their seventh year, to encourage creative thinking in the legal profession.

“Future survival of a vital and contributing legal profession now depends on the innovative, unstuffy thinking of a few individuals and organizations around the world.

It is the mission of the College of Law Practice Management to shine a spotlight on extraordinary thinking and impressive implementation to illustrate what can be accomplished when firms dare to take a risk,” said Merrilyn Astin Tarlton, past president of the college.