A Practical Interview Resource for Ontario Paralegal Students
Olga Leyenson, managing partner of Gobin & Leyenson LLP, contributed her legal and educational experience to Paralegal Mock Interviews, a video-based career preparation resource published by Emond Publishing. The Paralegal Mock Interviews resource helps Ontario paralegal students prepare for professional legal interviews through realistic workplace scenarios.
The resource places viewers inside a simulated law office hiring process. The fictional law office, Parker Legal Services, handles residential tenancy law, Small Claims Court litigation, and provincial offence matters in Ontario. Students observe two recent graduates interviewing for a Paralegal Associate position.
One candidate performs well during the interview. However, the other candidate struggles with several important interview skills. As a result, students can compare strong interview techniques with common mistakes in a realistic legal setting.
Each Paralegal Mock Interviews video runs approximately 10 minutes. In addition, the resource includes a sample job description and a complete list of interview questions. Therefore, students can prepare their own answers and compare their performance against both candidates.
What Students Learn From Paralegal Mock Interviews
According to Emond Publishing, students using Paralegal Mock Interviews learn:
- Common Ontario paralegal interview questions
- How legal employers structure interviews
- What makes an interview answer effective
- Common mistakes to avoid during interviews
- How to apply the STAR interview method
- What Ontario legal employers expect from candidates
Furthermore, the Paralegal Mock Interviews resource focuses on practical workplace skills rather than only academic theory. Students learn how to communicate professionally, organize answers clearly, and respond confidently during legal job interviews.
Olga Leyenson’s Contribution to the Ontario Paralegal Profession
Olga Leyenson brought both legal practice experience and teaching experience to Paralegal Mock Interviews. She continues to teach in George Brown Polytechnic’s paralegal program while also managing a busy Ontario law firm. Because of her experience, the interview scenarios reflect realistic workplace expectations within Ontario legal practice.
In addition, Leyenson has contributed to several educational resources used throughout accredited Ontario paralegal programs. Her published work includes:
- Small Claims Court: Procedure and Practice (6th Edition)
- Ethics and Professional Practice for Paralegals (6th Edition)
Therefore, her contribution to Paralegal Mock Interviews continues her longstanding commitment to paralegal education and professional development in Ontario.
Why Paralegal Mock Interviews Matters
Many paralegal students develop strong legal knowledge during their studies. However, many students still struggle during professional job interviews because they lack practical interview experience.
The Paralegal Mock Interviews resource helps close that gap. Instead of relying only on written materials, students can observe realistic legal interview scenarios and learn from direct examples. Consequently, the videos provide practical guidance for students entering Ontario’s legal profession.
Ontario paralegal programs can also use Paralegal Mock Interviews in classroom discussions and interview preparation workshops. Likewise, individual students can access the resource independently through Emond Publishing.
About Olga Leyenson
Olga Leyenson is the managing partner of Gobin & Leyenson LLP, a law firm located in Oshawa and serving clients throughout Ontario. She is a licensed paralegal, educator, and published author with extensive experience in residential tenancy law and Small Claims Court litigation.