Legal Assistant

Status: Full-time, permanent

Reports to: Legal Support Manager

Salary: $50,000-$70,000 depending on experience

Location: Hybrid within Ottawa, ON

Benefits: RRSP Matching, employer paid Group Health Benefits, generous vacation and sick leave, annual wellness allowance and professional development reimbursement.

As a boutique labour and employment law firm, Emond Harnden has represented the interests of management in both official languages for over 35 years. Originating in Ottawa, our roots have spread nationwide, proudly representing employers across every province and territory in Canada. Committed to elevating the quality of our clients' workplaces, we immerse ourselves in understanding their unique objectives and foster enduring partnerships. This dedication has established us as the go-to trusted advisor for some of Canada's largest private, public, and not-for-profit organizations. With over 50 lawyers exclusively focused on the specialized needs of organizations, Emond Harnden stands out as one of Canada's top management-side labour and employment law firms.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Legal Support Manager, the Legal Assistant (LA) will be responsible for providing administrative support to multiple lawyers in terms of scheduling, drafting, corresponding, and other general administrative tasks. The successful candidate will be a key player in client service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Schedule Maintenance

• Organize the flow of work through the lawyer’s office and initiate follow-up action in a timely manner to meet multiple deadlines.
• Maintain and monitor calendars, including but not limited to scheduling appointments, hearings, travel, and conferences, as directed.
• Manage reminder systems on a daily basis to ensure important deadlines are met.

Drafting and Correspondence

• Liaise between lawyers, contacts, and clients.
• Review and proofread outgoing documents and correspondence, verifying text for accuracy and syntax.
• Maintain and update current client contact lists.
• Respond to routine correspondence by mail, email, and telephone calls.

General Administration

• Perform conflict searches, create, and maintain files, and close files as instructed.
• Open new client files and matters.
• Arrange and prepare courier services and pickups.
• Mail sorting and scanning.
• Support case preparation by assembling materials required for hearings.
• Maintain electronic copies of all documentation in Emond Harnden’s database to supplement available precedents.
• Input and validate lawyers’ time dockets; coordinate lawyers’ monthly/yearly docket totals as requested.
• Track lawyers’ Law Society of Ontario (LSO) Continuing Professional Development hours, and input into the LSO portal.
• Prepare cheque requisitions and trust deposit instructions.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Previous work experience in administration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to produce a high volume of high-quality work under tight deadlines while managing competing priorities.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to lawyers and clients.
• Proficiency in MS Office & Adobe Pro.

Additional Information

• This posting is for an existing vacancy.
• Emond Harnden does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

EH is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact [email protected].