Law Clerk (25-188)

City of Cornwall; Eastern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government in Eastern Ontario is seeking a Law Clerk to support legal services across municipal departments. The ideal candidate will have experience in legal document management and procedural knowledge of Ontario courts. This role offers a chance to work in a collaborative environment with exposure to various legal fields. Benefits include a hybrid work-from-home policy and a comprehensive pension plan.

Benefits

Hybrid work-from-home policy

Comprehensive pension plan

Expense-covered educational courses

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a law clerk or in a legal support role.
• Demonstrated understanding of procedural rules of Ontario courts, tribunals, and the land registry office.
• Exceptional accuracy in drafting and reviewing legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Conduct file intake, manage legal documents, and provide support in legal representation.
• Draft various legal documents accurately for lawyer review.
• Review, analyze legal documents, and summarize findings for senior legal staff.

Skills

Legal Knowledge

Analytical Skills

Attention to Detail

Communication

Time Management

Adaptability

Technical Proficiency

Education

Diploma in Litigation Law Clerk or Real Estate Law Clerk studies

Job description

Job Title: Law Clerk

Bargaining Unit: Non-Union

Rate of Pay: Band 10. $72,296 - $81,417 (2026 rate of pay)

Who We Are

Cornwall is a beautiful community with a population of 47,000 situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Eastern Ontario. The city offers a wide array of urban amenities, making it an excellent place for a career and raising a family. With a growing economy, expanding population and fantastic quality of life, there has never been a better time to start the next phase of your career with the City of Cornwall! Cornwall is a diverse and progressive community where residents and partners feel safe, welcomed, and enjoy a high quality of life supported by access to financially responsible and sustainable municipal services and infrastructure.

If you’re ready for exciting days that are never the same, apply today and make a difference!

Position Summary

The Law Clerk role is responsible for conducting file intake and organization, records retention, the application of procedural rules of the Ontario courts, tribunals, and the land registry office, communication with clients and third‑party legal offices, the drafting of legal documents in accordance with applicable procedures, and the substantive furtherance of active legal files. This role focuses on maintaining timely and effective municipal legal services and filings.

Law Clerks—come and explore law clerking beyond repetitive piece‑meal monotony! Apply your skills in an in‑house municipal government office where no two days are the same.

As a Law Clerk with the City of Cornwall, you will:

• Support the City’s Barrister & Solicitor in providing legal services to all municipal departments and legal representation at various courts and tribunals.
• Use your litigation and/or property clerking knowledge, along with your drafting and organizational skills, to organize, coordinate, and advance files in an in‑house setting.
• Make impactful, guided but independent binding determinations on legal matters.
• Engage files from commencement through conclusion and be part of meaningful solutions.
• Work collaboratively in a collegial, solutions‑focused environment at Cornwall City Hall, tackling modern municipal legal challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently apply applicable Ontario court rules and limitation periods to legal matters, for lawyer consideration.
• Independently draft and prepare legal documents in draft form, which are accurate and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, for lawyer consideration, including without limitation: responding materials to applications and claims, affidavits, factums, motions, application/motion records, books of authorities, briefs, agreements, leases and memoranda.
• Review and analyze legal documents, providing summaries and recommendations to senior legal staff.
• Complete document editing in accordance with the conventions of senior legal staff and the Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
• Conduct file intake for Legal Services and coordinate communication between Legal Services and in‑house clientele, third‑party legal offices, government agencies, private individuals/corporations, and the public.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of legal documents, correspondence, and case files in Legal Services’ document management system to support efficient legal operations.
• Support the legal team in various administrative tasks, including scheduling meetings, managing calendars, and general office management.
• Independently make guided but binding and impactful determinations on legal files, labour relations and collective bargaining and engage in file‑moving correspondence with opposing counsel offices, unions and courts/administrative tribunals accordingly.

Leadership Of Others

• N/A

Position Requirements

Education & Certifications

• Diploma in Litigation Law Clerk and/or Real Estate Law Clerk studies or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a law clerk or in a legal support role.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be acceptable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Legal Knowledge: demonstrated understanding of procedural rules of Ontario courts, tribunals, and the land registry office.
• Analytical Skills: demonstrated ability to review and analyze legal documents, summarize findings.
• Attention to Detail: exceptional accuracy in drafting and reviewing legal documents and correspondence.
• Communication: ability to convey legal concepts in a clear and concise manner to varied interest‑holders, including clients, court/tribunal registrars, third party legal offices, and the public.
• Time Management: ability to prioritize tasks effectively and manage multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Adaptability: ability to modify established tasks when high priority legal matters arise suddenly or take precedence and effectively coordinate adjustments to applicable interest‑holders.
• Technical Proficiency: demonstrated understanding of standard office applications, Ontario court/tribunal filings, and legal document management systems.

Why Join Us?

• Hybrid work‑from‑home policy available for responsible use.
• Comprehensive pension plan.
• Exposure to diverse areas of law, including municipal law, contracts, litigation, planning & development, constitutional law, employment/labour law, environmental law, and administrative law.
• Expense‑covered educational courses to support your professional development.
• Be part of a collaborative team in a positive, solutions‑focused environment.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment, with potential occasional travel to various municipal sites or courthouse.
• Standard hours of operation, Monday to Friday, with occasional flexibility required for after‑hours meetings.
• Cognitive demands include critical thinking, legal analysis, and attention to detail.
• Physical demands include extended periods of sitting and looking at a computer screen.

If selected for this role, you will need to provide

• Successful reference check (two work‑related references, with a minimum of one being a direct supervisor).
• Satisfactory Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check.
• Proof of Certifications.

Additional Information

The Corporation of The City of Cornwall strives to promote and demonstrate the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We are committed to reflecting the diversity of the community we serve and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The City of Cornwall is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and selection process. At the City, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The City of Cornwall is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Please save a copy of this posting for your records. Please ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how you meet each of the required qualifications. Please note, selection for further consideration will be based on the information you provide in your application. Interviews may be conducted virtually through Microsoft Teams or in‑person.