Financial Services Legal Assistant

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Toronto; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Toronto is seeking a Legal Assistant to join the Financial Services practice group. The role provides day-to-day administrative support, including calendar management, meeting coordination, travel arrangements and client correspondence, with a strong emphasis on confidentiality.

The Assistant will build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, manage emails and schedules, prepare travel documents, draft responses, and assist with docketing, billing

Qualifications

• College diploma, undergraduate degree or Legal Assistant diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two to five years of experience supporting legal professionals in a professional services environment.

Responsibilities

• Managing lawyers' email inboxes and calendars – booking appointments, setting up conference calls, monitoring email inbox and responding as required
• Reviewing and prioritizing correspondence and emails, including drafting responses where suitable and/or redirecting to the appropriate individual for response
• Scheduling and making work-related travel arrangements and ensuring travel tickets, itineraries and all required meeting documents are prepared in advance
• Coordinating meetings and events, including developing and distributing agendas, reserving meeting rooms, and preparing, compiling and distributing supporting documents
• Drafting and preparing speaking engagements
• Maintaining paper and e-filing systems
• Managing a large volume of business expenses and performing expense reconciliation
• Opening and closing files
• Docketing and billing
• Working with various departments (i.e., finance and marketing), as needed
• Liaising with clients regarding invoices, collections and preparation of WIP/AR reports

Skills

Communication

Organization

Time management

Education

College diploma

Undergraduate degree

Legal Assistant diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

CMS

NetDocs

InterAction

Job description

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada's largest and most successful law firms, is currently looking for a Legal Assistant to join the Financial Services practice group in the Toronto office.

The Assistant is responsible for providing day-to-day administrative support while maintaining a high degree of confidentiality. Responsibilities will include managing calendars, meetings, expenses, events, presentations, travel and correspondence, and providing support on other Firm initiatives as required. This Assistant is expected to build effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Primary responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Managing lawyers' email inboxes and calendars – booking appointments, setting up conference calls, monitoring email inbox and responding as required
• Reviewing and prioritizing correspondence and emails, including drafting responses where suitable and/or redirecting to the appropriate individual for response
• Scheduling and making work-related travel arrangements and ensuring travel tickets, itineraries and all required meeting documents are prepared in advance
• Coordinating meetings and events, including developing and distributing agendas, reserving meeting rooms, and preparing, compiling and distributing supporting documents
• Drafting and preparing speaking engagements
• Maintaining paper and e-filing systems
• Managing a large volume of business expenses and performing expense reconciliation
• Opening and closing files
• Docketing and billing
• Working with various departments (i.e., finance and marketing), as needed
• Liaising with clients regarding invoices, collections and preparation of WIP/AR reports

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• College diploma, undergraduate degree or Legal Assistant diploma or equivalent is required
• Minimum of two to five of experience providing support to legal professionals in a professional services environment

Skills/Abilities:

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, CMS, NetDocs and InterAction (or similar software)
• Strong communication, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality when interacting with internal and external clients.
• Willing to work flexible hours, as required

Compensation

The anticipated annual salary for the Financial Services Legal Assistant position is $65,000 - $75,000. 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

Who We Are

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.