Human Resources Consultant, Legal Support Services

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities

Job summary

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is seeking a Human Resources Consultant in Toronto to support the Legal Support Services group. The role involves providing HR guidance, assessing workforce effectiveness, and implementing HR programs aligned with firm policies. Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in HR and knowledge of Canadian employment legislation. The anticipated salary ranges from $100,000 to $135,000 based on experience and internal equity. Blakes welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in HR business partner or advisory role.
• Experience supporting operational or service-based teams.
• Law firm or professional services experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR guidance to lawyers and legal staff.
• Partner with leaders to assess workforce effectiveness.
• Identify development needs and support employee growth.
• Advise on performance management for the function.
• Support HR programs within Legal Support Services.

Skills

Canadian employment legislation knowledge

Relationship-building skills

Problem-solving abilities

Coaching and advising leaders

Ability to manage priorities

Education

Post-secondary education in human resources

CHRP or CHRL designation

Job description

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s largest and most successful law firms, has an opening for a Human Resources Consultant to support our Legal Support Services group in our Toronto office.

Reporting to the Director, Legal Support Services, the Human Resources Consultant, Legal Support Services supports the legal assistant workforce Toronto by aligning people practices with operational needs to enable effective service delivery to lawyers.

The HR Consultant serves as a trusted strategic advisor and collaborative partner to leaders and stakeholders to assess workforce effectiveness, support staffing approaches and contribute to efficient workflows and processes. The HR Consultant helps identify resourcing and capability needs to support a high‑performing and adaptable Legal Support Services function that enables strong support to lawyers and evolving Firm needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide practical HR guidance to lawyers, legal support staff, leaders and stakeholders.
• Partner with leaders to assess workforce effectiveness, including structure and service delivery, advising on staffing, resource allocation and team design.
• Partner with leaders to address capacity gaps and support effective deployment of legal assistants by leading workforce planning and resource allocation discussions.
• Develop a strong understanding of legal assistant workflows, tools and technology to effectively support service delivery and operational decision‑making.
• Advise on performance management for the function, including goal setting, feedback and development.
• Support and advise on performance‑related employee relations matters.
• Identify development needs and partner with stakeholders to support employee growth and internal mobility.
• Advise on workplace matters, including accommodations, disability management and return‑to‑work processes.
• Work closely with the recruitment team on recruitment initiatives to attract high quality talent through effective hiring strategies in order to meet resourcing needs.
• Support the implementation and delivery of HR programs within Legal Support Services while ensuring alignment with Firm policies and employment legislation.
• Partner with leaders to support changes impacting roles, structure and ways of working.
• Contribute to improvements in HR and operational practices to improve efficiency.

Qualifications

Education / Experience:

• Post‑secondary education in human resources, business or a related field is required.
• CHRP or CHRL designation (or in progress) is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in an HR business partner or advisory role.
• Experience supporting operational or service‑based teams.
• Law firm or professional services experience is an asset.

Skills / Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of Canadian employment legislation and HR best practices.
• Business acumen and ability to align HR with operational priorities.
• Strong relationship‑building and influencing skills.
• Ability to coach and advise leaders effectively.
• Sound judgment and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with professionalism and confidentiality.
• Sound judgment in complex, sensitive and ambiguous situations.
• Ability to balance business objectives with legal, ethical and employee considerations.
• Ability to anticipate and mitigate organizational and people‑related risk.
• Ability to provide clear, practical recommendations to support decision‑making.

Compensation

The anticipated annual salary for the Human Resources Consultant, Legal Support Services position is $100,000 - $135,000. Salary levels will be determined commensurate with internal equity, market equity and experience.

Blakes welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. 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.