Legal Administrative Assistant

Gowling WLG International; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid health coverage

Dental and mental health coverage

Hybrid work flexibility

Parental leave top-up

Group retirement plan with employer-mq

Disability and life insurance

Employee assistance program

Recognition awards

Job summary

Gowling WLG in Montreal seeks a seasoned Legal Administrative Assistant to support one or more professionals in the Advocacy department. You will perform confidential tasks, manage files and deadlines, and liaise with clients and colleagues to ensure smooth operations.

The role requires a Legal Assistant certificate/diploma, 5+ years of experience, and fluent French/English. Strong MS Office skills and discretion are essential; hybrid work options are available.

Qualifications

• Legal Assistant Certificate or Diploma required.
• Minimum of five years as a Legal Administrative Assistant.
• Fluent bilingualism: French and English.

Responsibilities

• Organize and expedite the flow of work through the Professional’s office, initiating follow-up action.
• Prepare legal documents and letters according to precedents or instructions.
• Liaise between internal and external individuals, groups and clients at all levels.
• Forward or respond to routine correspondence not requiring the Professional’s attention.
• Manage bring-forward or diary system to meet deadlines.
• Prepare special reports by gathering, analyzing and summarizing data.
• Exercise initiative to relieve Professionals of administrative detail.
• Create, monitor and maintain client files for better file management and client service.
• Coordinate administrative tasks including accounting; filing; docketing; billing.
• Any other duties as required.

Skills

Bilingual (Fr/En)

Communication

Discretion

Independence

Teamwork

Education

Legal Assistant Certificate/Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Gowling Wlg

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other.

We’re intentional about building a workplace that’s both high-performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths.

Whether you’re pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what’s possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG.

PROFILE

Performs full legal administrative work of a responsible and confidential nature for one or more professionals for our Advocacy department. This position receives some direction or guidance; most tasks and objectives are accomplished independently.

Responsibilities

• Organize and expedite the flow of work through the Professional’s office, initiating follow-up action.
• Prepare:
  • Legal documents with little or no direction according to general precedents or instructions from Professional.
  • Letters, memos, etc. of a confidential nature, which may be drafted independently for review by supervisor or may be prepared from dictation or hard copy.
• Liaise between the Professional’s various internal and external individuals, groups, and clients at all levels.
• Forward or respond to routine correspondence not requiring the Professional’s attention.
• Manage the bring-forward or diary system/database to ensure important dates/deadlines are met.
• Prepare special reports, which may include gathering, analyzing and summarizing data.
• Exercise initiative and judgment to relieve Professional of administrative detail.
• Create, monitor and maintain client files for better file management and client service.
• Coordinate administrative tasks e.g.: accounting; opening and closing files; docketing; billing; etc...
• Any other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Legal Assistant Certificate/Diploma.
• Five (5) years or more as a Legal Administrative Assistant.
• Fluent bilingualism (French/English).
• Ability to communicate effectively with other Firm members, with the aptitude to take care of clients’ needs in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to use discretion when dealing with confidential information.
• Capacity to work independently, as well as in a team environment.
• Produce a high quality and quantity of work product, occasionally under tight timelines.
• Able to prioritize and to redefine priorities when necessary.
• Handle stress in a business-like manner.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

Benefits/Perks

Gowling WLG’s total rewards program is designed to foster a culture where high performance and personal well-being go hand-in-hand. We support your career and life with:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility
• Parental leave top-up for 26 weeks
• Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match
• Financial protection through short & long-term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more

This position is currently vacant and is open to both internal and external candidates. Gowling WLG is recruiting for this role to support ongoing firm needs and team operations.

This employer may use tools within our applicant tracking system that include artificial intelligence–supported features, such as automated candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all screening, assessments, and selections are reviewed and completed by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.