Legal Assistant; Litigation

We are recruiting for a Legal Assistant, Litigation to join our team in our Toronto office. The successful candidate must have a minimum 3 years’ of relevant experience, and experience with conflicts checks and dealing with highly confidential matters. The candidate will be responsible for supporting lawyers with documents, calendar management, and client support. McCarthy Tétrault employees benefit from a hybrid work environment.

This position is to fill an existing vacancy.

$60,000 - $80,000 annually (Toronto Only)

The offered salary may vary based on the candidate’s job-specific knowledge, skills, and experience.

• Preparing, editing, formatting, printing, scanning and revising correspondence, memoranda, litigation documents, reports, forms, labels and other printed material through dictation, copy typing or other instructions, in accordance with the requirements set by the practice group.
• Coordinating and dispersing tasks to be performed by various resource groups such as the Document Specialists, Administrative Clerks, Billing Assistants, etc. where appropriate while ensuring tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Proofreading documents and checking for appropriate formatting, spelling, grammar and clarity.

• Assisting lawyers in the preparation and coordination of hearings and trials; recording and monitoring court appearance dates, pleadings and filing requirements.
• Preparing basic court pleadings or other courtroom visuals.
• Coordinating service and filing of proceedings with agencies and courts.
• Scheduling and coordinating discoveries, expert witnesses or other court-designated hearings. Monitoring evidence gathering.
• Maintaining an in-depth knowledge of legal terminology, court rules and procedures as well as medical terminology where applicable.

• Managing files including: opening new files, maintaining large and complex files, developing, maintaining and utilizing an orderly filing and retrieval system to ensure ease of reference to historical paper or electronic records, organizing law and precedent files.
• Working with Records Management and Administrative Clerks to create, maintain and store client files as appropriate.
• Managing key dates including physical bring forward system and updating calendars for assigned lawyers, including their meetings, appointments, due dates and client-related activities.

• Coordinating lawyer travel arrangements, including preparing itineraries and travel expense reports.
• Updating contact names and addresses in the client database on a regular basis.
• Coordinating client meetings, including scheduling rooms and arranging for needed catering or audio-visual equipment.

• Reviewing and routing incoming mail and fax communications; preparing and processing outgoing mail and faxes; and arranging for specialized mail or messenger services as required.
• Receiving, handling, screening and/or directing incoming calls as directed by lawyers; responding to routine inquiries and requests from clients; and taking messages as required.

• Assisting with the preparation and finalization of time entry on a daily basis according to firm standards in preparation for Billing Assistant to process.
• Working with Finance to coordinate new Client and Matter openings (KYC);
• Coordinating activities with functional area staff (Office Services, Marketing, etc.), as needed.
• Providing consistent backup support when assistants are absent; providing support to assistants who may be managing multiple tasks and/or difficult deadlines; and working proactively as a positive and productive member of the team.

• Maintaining and updating job knowledge and technical skills by identifying and participating in education opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Legal Assistant Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a litigation legal assistant.
• In-depth knowledge of legal terminology, court rules and procedures.
• Strong attention to…