Belleville, Ontario, March 21, 2016 — Loyalist College is pleased to recognize the success of our Paralegal students who placed second at the Paralegal Mock Trial Competition in Oshawa at Durham College on March 13, 2016.
Eight teams were vying for the Paralegal Mock Trial Cup and the competition was single elimination. Loyalist competed three times to earn the title of Runner Up.
Loyalist students Julie Bell, Sherry Markell, Natasha Belanger, Tim Blodgett, Jason Dafoe, Alisha Morgan and Michelle Lammers (substitute) put in over 50 hours of preparation for the small claims court case. In addition to the team’s success, student Alisha Morgan received the Best Advocate award.
“This success speaks volumes about the abilities of these students. They have demonstrated that they can take the information and skills learned in the Paralegal program and apply them extraordinarily well in the courtroom,” said Laurie Nichols, the Coordinator of Loyalist’s Paralegal program.
The Paralegal program offers experiential learning opportunities in a professional environment where students apply the knowledge and skills they learned in their small claims court procedure, evidence law and advocacy skills courses. Proficiency in these areas contributed to their success at the competition.
About Loyalist’s Paralegal Program
Students prepare for the full scope of practice of a licensed paralegal in Ontario through a blend of classroom instruction and practical experience. The program includes a broad range of theoretical education, including substantive law and legal procedures; an emphasis on ethical conduct and professional responsibilities; preparing and presenting a case in court before a local judge during a moot trial in the Ontario Court of Justice, where each student is assigned the role of Crown Attorney or the legal representative of an accused.
Students apply their learning on the job during a field placement in second year. Loyalist students have completed placements with Provincial Offences Prosecutor’s office; Federal Department of Justice; Private law firms; Paralegal firms; Legal Aid clinics; Court administration offices; and Crown Attorneys’ offices (criminal).
About Loyalist College
When it comes to grads getting jobs, Loyalist College is the #1 College in Ontario. According to Provincial Key Performance Indicator (KPI) results released April 2015, 89.3 percent of the College’s most recent graduates found employment within six months of graduation compared to the provincial average of 84 percent. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 60 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Media Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director of Marketing and Communications,
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2536