Canada has an established reputation for producing top-ranked educational institutions, including law schools. Regardless of whether your goal is to work as a practicing lawyer, legal adviser, or professor, you can never overstate the magnitude of your selection of law school.
University of Toronto – Faculty of Law
Location: Toronto, Ontario
World Ranking: Permanently ranked in the top 20 of law schools across the world
University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law is arguably the best law school in Canada, and rightly so. This law school is known for being tough on its students, as well as to have a tough curriculum, and it has some superb faculty and a great alumni network that has graduated many lawyers through both domestic and international law fields. The school offers a JD, LLM, SJD program and they focus on public law, legal theory, and international law.
Why Choose U of T Law?
- High bar exam pass rates
- Proximity to major law firms and financial hubs
- Strong global reputation
McGill University – Faculty of Law
Bilingual Education: Teaches both common and civil law
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Why Choose McGill Law?
- Strong focus on global legal issues
- Access to internships at international organizations
Osgoode Hall Law School – York University
Founded: 1889 – One of Canada’s oldest law schools
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Osgoode Hall Law School is one of Canada’s most innovative law schools.
Why choose Osgoode Hall?
- Hands-on legal education via clinics and externships
- A large network of alumni in government and private practice
- Variety of master’s programs including part-time LLM
University of British Columbia (UBC) – Peter A. Allard School of Law
Rank: Among the best law schools in Western Canada
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Why Choose UBC Allard Law?
- Beautiful, ocean-side campus
- Strong emphasis on social justice and Indigenous law
- Excellent post-graduate placement rates
University of Alberta – Faculty of Law
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Strengths: Energy law, natural resources, and legal theory
Why Choose UAlberta Law?
- Affordable tuition
- Excellent bar admission rates
- Strong ties to Alberta’s legal and energy sectors
Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Strengths: Business law, constitutional law, and legal ethics
Queen’s Law is known for its small class sizes and strong sense of community. The school offers hands-on learning through its legal aid clinic and international exchange programs.
Why Choose Queen’s Law?
- Intensive JD curriculum with global exposure
- Dual-degree options with business and public administration
- Strong mentorship and alumni support
University of Ottawa – Faculty of Law
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Unique Feature: Divided into Civil Law and Common Law sections
The University of Ottawa offers a bilingual legal education and is ideal for students interested in public law, human rights, and bilingual legal careers. Located in Canada’s capital, students have direct access to Parliament, the Supreme Court, and major government departments.
Why Choose Ottawa Law?
- Close to government institutions and NGOs
- Strong focus on tech, law, and policy
- Bilingual education in French and English
Dalhousie University – Schulich School of Law
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Established: 1883 – Canada’s oldest university-based law school
Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law has a long tradition of public law, marine law, and legal ethics. It is recognized for fostering social responsibility and public interest law.
Why Choose Dalhousie Law?
- Unique courses in marine and environmental law
- Historic campus and academic legacy
Education devoted to public service and advocacy-oriented issue
Location & Cost of Living: While job market conditions might be better in larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the cost of living in those applying to law schools situations will clearly increase.
Areas of Specialization: Apply to schools with strengths in your areas of law that you’re pursuing.
Language of Instruction: Students applying to schools in Quebec will likely have to speak/write/fluent in French.
Preparation for the Bar Exam: Paying attention (and using these stats) to schools that boast high pass rates with either the NCA or provincial bar exam and strong career services.
Final Thoughts
The best law schools in Canada sure do offer law students with valuable degrees and pathways to meaningful, substantive, and impactful law careers. Regardless of your interest in corporate, public policy, international human rights, or legal innovation, if you want to pursue law, there will be a Canadian law school that can help you achieve your goals. Canadian legal education remains an exemplar for excellence in prestige comparable to that of McGill and U of T’s Innovation labs, we have much to be proud of in Canada with what our law schools offer.
