Junior Associate

Bridgestone Law; Calgary; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Job summary

Bridgestone Law in Calgary seeks a junior family law lawyer (1–3 years) for a contract-based, fee-split opportunity. You will be mentored by a senior lawyer and work on Alberta family law matters, including separation, parenting, support, and property, developing independence while delivering practical, compassionate advice.

This role emphasizes client service, drafting, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy skills, with mentorship and firm support to build a sustainable practice.

Qualifications

• Active membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta.
• Approximately one to three years of family law experience.
• Working knowledge of Alberta family law legislation, court procedures, and filing requirements.
• Strong legal research, drafting, and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional judgment and ability to seek guidance when needed.
• Strong organization and file-management skills.
• Ability to work from our Calgary office as reasonably required.

Responsibilities

• Meeting with prospective and existing clients.
• Providing clear, practical, and compassionate legal advice.
• Managing family law files from intake through negotiation, settlement, or court resolution.
• Advising on separation, parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, and family property matters.
• Drafting pleadings, applications, affidavits, briefs, and agreements.
• Conducting legal research and preparing concise legal opinions.
• Negotiating with opposing counsel and communicating professionally with self-represented parties.
• Appearing in the Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.
• Recording time and assisting with timely client billing.
• Working collaboratively with the senior lawyer and administrative support team.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting

Oral advocacy

Client communication

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Contract-based fee-split opportunity | Flexible schedule | Senior lawyer mentorship

Bridgestone Law is a modern Calgary law firm committed to helping individuals and families navigate difficult life transitions with clarity, compassion, and practical legal guidance.

We believe family law should be practised thoughtfully. Our role is not simply to move files forward or increase conflict. We listen carefully, provide honest advice, and help clients pursue sensible outcomes that protect what matters most to them and their families.

We are seeking a junior family law lawyer with approximately one to three years of experience who shares these values. This opportunity is well suited to someone who genuinely cares about their clients, takes pride in how files are managed, and wants to grow in a positive and professional environment.

The successful candidate will receive guidance and mentorship from a senior lawyer while developing the confidence and experience to manage files with increasing independence. You will have opportunities to strengthen your drafting, negotiation, client-management, and courtroom advocacy skills while working on meaningful family law matters.

Who Will Thrive at Bridgestone Law

We are looking for someone who is:

• Compassionate, respectful, and genuinely invested in helping families;
• Positive, energetic, and motivated to develop as a lawyer;
• Calm and professional when clients are under stress;
• Practical and resolution-focused without being afraid to advocate firmly when necessary;
• Thoughtful about strategy, proportionality, and the effect of conflict on families;
• Organized, dependable, and attentive to deadlines and details;
• Receptive to feedback, mentorship, and continued learning;
• Comfortable taking responsibility for their work while asking for guidance when appropriate; and
• Interested in contributing to a collaborative, respectful, and growth-oriented firm culture.

The Role

The successful candidate will work on a range of Alberta family law matters and assume increasing responsibility for files based on their experience and demonstrated abilities.

Responsibilities may include:

• Meeting with prospective and existing clients;
• Providing clear, practical, and compassionate legal advice;
• Managing family law files from intake through negotiation, settlement, or court resolution;
• Advising on separation, divorce, parenting arrangements, child support, spousal support, and family property matters;
• Drafting pleadings, applications, affidavits, briefs, agreements, financial disclosure requests, settlement proposals, and correspondence;
• Conducting legal research and preparing concise legal opinions;
• Negotiating with opposing counsel and communicating professionally with self-represented parties;
• Appearing in the Alberta Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta;
• Participating in dispute-resolution and settlement processes;
• Maintaining organized, accurate, and complete client files;
• Managing limitation periods, court deadlines, undertakings, and follow-up requirements;
• Recording time and assisting with timely, accurate client billing; and
• Working collaboratively with the firm’s senior lawyer and administrative support team.

The level of file independence and courtroom responsibility will be appropriate to the successful candidate’s experience.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have:

• Active membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta;
• Approximately one to three years of family law experience;
• A working knowledge of Alberta family law legislation, court procedures, and filing requirements;
• Strong legal research, analysis, drafting, and oral advocacy skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• The ability to communicate difficult information with clarity and empathy;
• Good professional judgment and an understanding of when to seek guidance;
• Strong organization, time-management, and file-management skills;
• The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines;
• Professionalism when interacting with clients, counsel, court staff, and self-represented parties; and
• The ability to work from our Calgary office as reasonably required.

Experience with contested applications, desk divorces, parenting disputes, child and spousal support, family property claims, separation agreements, emergency or urgent applications, and settlement negotiations will be considered an asset.

Mentorship and Professional Growth

This is an opportunity to build a strong foundation in family law while receiving support from an experienced senior lawyer.

Depending on your experience and development goals, mentorship may include:

• File strategy and case-planning discussions;
• Review and feedback on written materials;
• Preparation for court appearances and negotiations;
• Guidance on client communication and expectation management;
• Support with difficult ethical or professional judgment issues;
• Opportunities to observe or participate in more complex matters; and
• Practical guidance on building an efficient, sustainable family law practice.

We want the successful candidate to develop confidence and independence without feeling that they have been left to navigate unfamiliar situations alone.

Compensation and Practice Arrangement

This is a contract-based opportunity with compensation structured as a fee split basis.

The arrangement is intended to provide flexibility and meaningful earning potential while allowing the lawyer to benefit from the firm’s client generation, infrastructure, administrative support, mentorship, and professional resources.

Licence/Certification:

• Law Society of Alberta Membership (required)

Benefits

• On-site parking