Associate Lawyer - Family Law

Shulman & Partners LLP; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship by senior lawyers

Exposure to diverse family law matters

Health and dental benefits

Generous vacation & PTO

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Shulman & Partners LLP in Ottawa seeks an Associate Family Lawyer with 1 to 6 years of proven experience. Join a high-performing, human-centered family law firm that emphasizes mentorship, excellence, accountability, and meaningful impact.

You will work under senior lawyers to accelerate competency and deliver strong outcomes in a collaborative team environment. You will apply Family Law Rules, draft court and settlement materials, manage financial disclosures, and participate in mediations and

Qualifications

• Strong client presence and professionalism when advocating for clients.
• Clear and persuasive written and verbal communication with clients, opposing counsel, court and internal stakeholders.
• High standard for accuracy when reviewing evidence, drafting documents, and managing disclosure.
• Ability to evaluate complex situations, assess risk, and propose practical legal solutions.
• Solid foundation in family law with drive to improve skills and performance.
• Strong time management and reliability in progressing matters independently.
• Licensed and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).

Responsibilities

• Manage family law matters appropriate to level of experience with mentorship if needed.
• Apply Family Law Rules and relevant legislation to advance matters strategically.
• Conduct legal research, interpret legislation, and apply findings to strengthen strategy.
• Draft court and settlement materials including pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, and settlements.
• Draft domestic contracts and agreements such as separation agreements and minutes of settlement.
• Prepare and review financial documents like Financial Statements and Net Family Property statements.
• Maintain professional communication with clients, keeping them informed of options and steps.
• Attend mediations, arbitrations, conferences, motions, and trials as needed.
• Coordinate with law clerks and staff to meet deadlines and progress files.
• Engage in task-based work distribution with oversight and accountability.
• Active participation in Mentorship-Based Model with ongoing development goals.

Skills

Client service

Written communication

Attention to detail

Sound judgment

Growth mindset

Professional accountability

LSO standing

Education

LSO standing

Job description

Shulman & Partners LLP is a high-performing, human-centered family law firm driven by a singular vision: Do Good, Make an Impact. Our mission is simple and meaningful: We are a Human Solution to a Human Problem. We deliver top expertise, skill, and resources in an authentically caring, human, and empathetic way.

As our firm continues to grow, we are seeking an Associate Family Lawyer with 1 to 6 years of proven experience to join our Ottawa office. This is an opportunity to build your career in a supportive and progressive firm that values excellence, accountability, mentorship, and meaningful impact.

This position requires a high level of professionalism, diligence, discretion, sound judgment, and strong client service. The ideal candidate is committed to mastering their craft, progressing matters strategically, and delivering excellent outcomes while contributing to a collaborative, team-based environment.

You will be supported through our Mentorship-Based Model, which includes structured file reviews, intentional development, and guidance from senior lawyers to accelerate competency and confidence.

What We Are Looking For

• Client Service Excellence: Strong client presence, professionalism, and the ability to build trust and manage expectations while advocating effectively and achieving favourable results.
• Strong Written and Verbal Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with clients, opposing counsel, the court, and internal stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail: High standard for accuracy and thoroughness when reviewing evidence, drafting documents, and managing financial disclosure.
• Sound Judgment and Strategic Thinking: Ability to evaluate complex situations, assess risk, and recommend clear, practical legal solutions.
• Commitment to Growth: Solid foundation in family law practice and the drive to continuously improve legal skills and performance.
• Professional Accountability: Strong time management, responsiveness, and reliability in meeting deadlines and progressing matters independently.
• LSO Standing: Licensed and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

What You Will Do

• Manage family law matters appropriate to level of experience, with mentorship support as required.
• Apply working knowledge of the Family Law Rules and relevant legislation to advance matters strategically.
• Conduct legal research, interpret legislation, identify relevant precedent, and apply findings to support strong case strategy.
• Draft high-quality court and settlement materials, including pleadings, motion materials, conference briefs, affidavits, mediation briefs, and settlement documentation.
• Draft domestic contracts and agreements, including separation agreements, minutes of settlement, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare and review financial documents, including Financial Statements and Net Family Property statements, as required by experience level.
• Maintain consistent, professional communication with clients to ensure they are informed, supported, and clear on next steps and legal options.
• Attend and participate in mediations, arbitrations, conferences, motions, and trials as required by file needs and experience level.
• Coordinate with assigned law clerks and administrative support to ensure deadlines are met and files are progressed efficiently.
• Participate in task-based work distribution and follow instructions with appropriate oversight and accountability.
• Engage fully in the firm’s Mentorship-Based Model, including active implementation of feedback and development goals.

What We Offer

• Formal mentorship and direct senior lawyer guidance. Associates typically progress to greater file independence within their first year.
• Broad exposure to family law matter types from early in your tenure.
• Extended health, dental, and mental health benefits.
• Generous vacation & PTO policy.
• Compensation aligned with internal bands for your experience level.
• Quarterly and annual bonus opportunities based on individual and firm performance.
• Hybrid work available upon successful completion of probation period.
• Coverage for LSO membership fees and LawPRO insurance premiums.
• Structured annual billing targets with clear thresholds and transparent expectations, tracked through a modern practice management system.

Shulman & Partners LLP uses artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, and/or select candidates during the recruitment process for this position. AI tools may be used during interviews for note-taking purposes only. All hiring decisions are made by humans.