SimpliLaw: An Innovative Approach to Bar Prep

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been editing an interesting project for a lawyer/entrepreneur who founded a company called SimpliLaw. SimpliLaw’s product is a study aide for soon-to-be lawyers who are preparing for the Ontario bar exam. The materials are full of engaging content, relatable examples, and colourful graphics—all written in plain language. Complex concepts, like corporate income tax and debt financing, are broken down into short, concise summaries that are easy to digest. But what makes SimpliLaw unique is its multimedia format: it incorporates voice recordings, whiteboard animations, and an online hub that serves as a supportive community for students.

Thinking back to my own bar prep experience some 14 years ago, I remember slogging through tomes of dry, dense text, armed with a yellow highlighter, a pack of tabs, and a strong supply of coffee. And I can vividly recall sitting with my friend at my kitchen table, burning the midnight oil and periodically erupting in fits of laughter/delirium. Suffice it to say, the process left room for improvement.

I am therefore genuinely excited about SimpliLaw’s innovative approach to bar prep. For too long, law schools, law firms, and the legal community at large have only catered to those who can sit still and stare down black and white text for hours on end. According to the popular (albeit controversial) “learning styles theory,” these are the read/write learners. This theory identifies at least three other types of learners. There are visual learners, who process information through seeing. They often benefit from tools such as charts, diagrams, and pictures. There are auditory learners, who process information through sound. They rely on group discussions, videos, and lectures. And then there are kinaesthetic learners , who process information through experience and touch—effectively through doing.

Human beings are complex. As such, they tend not to fall squarely into any one category. But we all have certain tendencies and preferences when it comes to learning, and treating all law students as a monolith in this regard can impede their success.

In recent years, the legal community has begun a crucial and overdue conversation about the lack of diversity within law. Despite significant progress, there remains much work to be done. But if the legal community is sincere about wanting to diversify, it must make room for those who learn and think differently. It must expand to accommodate all the creative and out-of-the-box would-be lawyers. Their perspectives are vitally important as we navigate a fast-paced and ever-changing legal landscape.

To learn more about SimpliLaw, sign up at www.simplilaw.ca.