Legal Technologist

Overview Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s largest and most successful law firms, is currently looking for a Legal Technologist to join our Innovation department in the Toronto office.The Legal Technologist position is a hands-on software development role within the Innovation department. The successful candidate will design and build automated workflows, application programming interfaces (APIs), integrations and applications powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that transform how lawyers and clients work. The incumbent will also build technical infrastructure that powers modern legal services, develop data pipelines and serve as a technical point of contact for software issues and vendor relationships. Responsibilities Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Designing, building and maintaining APIs, integrations and internal tooling that connect legal technology platforms with core firm systems and improve workflow efficiencyDeveloping custom software solutions, workflow automations and business applications to eliminate manual, repetitive tasksContributing to the architecture and development of client-facing portals, internal collaboration tools and modern legal service delivery platformsSupporting the development, prototyping and deployment of AI-assisted applications, including document analysis, contract review and legal research toolsWorking with the Innovation team to evaluate and implement AI solutions using large language model (LLM) APIs and emerging AI toolingHelping define and implement the Firm’s legal technology data strategy, ensuring data is structured, accessible and usable for AI, analytics and reportingBuilding and maintaining data pipelines, dashboards and well-documented data models that provide actionable insights for lawyers and leadershipActing as a technical point of contact for software issues, working with vendors and internal stakeholders to troubleshoot problems and manage enhancementsStaying current on legal technology and AI developments and recommend new tools, improvements and opportunities for innovation Education & Experience University degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related technical disciplineHands-on experience building APIs or backend applications (including professional, co-op or project-based experience)Familiarity with RESTful API design, JSON and XML data formats, and web services integrationExposure to AI and machine learning concepts, LLM APIs or prompt engineering is preferredExperience with Microsoft Power Platform (Power Automate, Power BI) and PowerApps is an assetExperience in a professional services or law firm environment is an asset, but not required Skills & Abilities Proficiency in at least one backend language, such as Python, JavaScript, Node.js, C# or similarAbility to work with SQL databases and write queries to support reporting and integration workFamiliarity with version control (Git) and basic software development workflowsExperience with cloud platforms (preferably Azure) is an assetStrong problem-solving instincts, with the ability to break down ambiguous challenges and find pragmatic solutionsClear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholdersHighly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and prioritize effectivelyA collaborative mindset and genuine curiosity about how technology can improve the practice of law Compensation The anticipated annual salary for the Legal Technologist position is $80,000 - $110,000. Salary levels will be determined commensurate with internal equity, market equity and experience. Other Relevant Application Information Blakes welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. The Firm is committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment composed of people with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, identities and cultures. The Firm provides accommodation for applicants with disabilities and in respect of other protected grounds during the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws. Please contact us to request accommodation. While our experienced team will select and interview successful candidates, Blakes may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist with shortlisting, screening and evaluating applications. About Blakes At Blakes, we care about our people. We are committed to providing exceptional experiences for our clients and employees. As a winner of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Greater Toronto’s Top Employers awards, we understand the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace environment that brings out the best in each person. Our success as a firm starts with hiring top talent, retaining our people and helping them thrive.