Osgoode Hall Law School,

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Academic Success Program

The Assistant Dean (JD) develops programs designed to promote the academic success of law students. They involve lunch and learn sessions and workshops on how to enhance your academic performance. These programs increase your marketability whether you are pursuing a career in private practice, policy, academia, or applying for a court clerkship. Professors at Osgoode, practicing lawyers and law librarians will lead these sessions, which are intended to help students achieve their full academic potential.

Workshops

Judicial Clerkship PanelEach year the Lunch and Learn Series brings in a wide variety of distinguished speakers and panellists to inform and assist students in building their skills and distinguishing themselves. Past workshops include:

  • Getting Your Papers Published
  • Judicial Clerkships
  • Legal Writing and Research Skills Necessary for Success
  • Interdisciplinary Research
  • Legal Citations & Academic Integrity
  • Preparing for Exams and Time Management

Information Sessions

 The Office of the Assistant Dean (JD Program) also hosts general information sessions to inform students about various programs and resources. Annual sessions include:

  • Osgoode’s Combined and Joint Programs
  • Osgoode Exchange Programs
  • Managing Your Money: Upper Year Financial Seminar

Resources

Assistant Dean Bessner has a library of resource books, guides, and pamphlets available at her office for students to consult. Topics include:

  • The Craft of Research
    Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2008)
  • Legal Research and Writing
    Ted Tjaden (Toronto: Irwin Law, 2010)
  • Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation
    McGill Law Journal (Toronto: Carswell, 2010)
  • The Practical Guide to Canadian Legal Research
    Nancy McCormack, John Papadopoulos, Catherine Cotter (Toronto: Carswell, 2010)
  • The Law School Book: Succeeding at Law School
    Allan C. Hutchinson (Toronto: Irwin Law, 2009)
  • Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams
    Richard Michael Fischl, Jeremy Paul (Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 1999)