Legal Assistant

York Region (The Regional Municipality of York); Newmarket; On-site; CAD 78,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined Benefit Pension (OMERS)

Benefits and wellness program

Inclusive and diverse workforce

Job summary

York Region’s Legal Services department seeks a Legal Assistant for a 12-month assignment in Newmarket, ON. This role provides confidential legal and administrative support, drafts documents, manages lawyers’ files, and coordinates meetings, with a hybrid work arrangement.

The ideal candidate has a legal assistant education and at least five years of experience, strong MS Office skills, and the ability to handle multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality and discretion.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary legal assistant program or approved equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of legal administrative experience.
• Thorough knowledge of preparing legal documents, contracts and clerical practices.
• Knowledge of legal interpretation, concepts, principles and terminology.
• Ability to support multiple legal professionals in a busy practice.
• Experience coordinating large program meetings with external parties.
• Knowledge of core competencies: customer service, communication, teamwork, initiative, accountability, flexibility.
• Proficient with MS Office.
• Strong research and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential legal and administrative support and draft/prepare correspondence and documents.
• Draft corporate searches and municipal project documentation as assigned.
• Develop and update law group procedures manuals and coordination of meetings.
• Coordinate program meetings involving external participants.
• Maintain file lists, records, and ensure accurate searchability.
• Serve as communications link between staff, external agencies and the public.
• Prepare and distribute confidential documents; ensure security of information.

Skills

Legal administration experience

Multiple legal professionals support

Coordination of large-scale meetings

Customer service

Confidentiality & discretion

MS Office proficiency

Research / problem solving

Attention to detail

Time management

Work outside normal hours

Education

Post-Secondary education in a Legal Assistant Program or equivalent

Minimum 5 years legal administrative experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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Job Title

Legal Assistant

Status

Temporary Full-Time

Temporary - Approximate length of assignment, in months

12

Type of Position

an Addition to Staff

Start Date

Immedidate

Annually

Salary Grade

$78,224.00 - $88,853.00

Department

York Region -> Legal & Court Services -> Legal Services

Location

Hybrid work opportunities may apply - CA
Legal Services - 17250 Yonge Street - Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z1 CA (Primary)

Job Description (E)

WHAT WE OFFER

• Defined Benefit Pension Program - With the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) defined benefit pension plan, you can confidently retire knowing that you will have income for life. Eligibility from date of hire as a full-time employee and includes employer-matched contributions.
• Benefits and Wellness - Employees and their loved ones have access to an employee health care spending account, access to a 24/7 Employee and Family Assistance Programand corporate discounts and purchase plans for day-to-day products and services. Casual employees are eligible to receive payment in lieu of benefits and/or vacation.
• Inclusive and Diverse Workforce - We’re committed to fostering an environment that celebrates all dimensions of diversity and ensures everyone can develop to their full potential, participate freely in society and live with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. Our robust Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility program continues to grow, and has been recognized by the United Nations and many other organizations for our leadership.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Provides confidential, legal and administrative support, including drafting or preparing correspondence and legal documents, assist law group with document development processes, organization and maintenance of lawyers’ files, coordinating and scheduling meetings and maintaining lawyers’ calendars as well as administrative management of legal practice.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Administers and processes legal documents and arranges for signature, execution and safekeeping of documents and agreements.
• Drafts and/or prepares corporate searches, correspondence, documentation pertaining to municipal projects as assigned.
• Assists in the development of processes for law groups and document development and updates law group procedures manuals.
• Coordinates the delivery of program meetings involving external participants.
• Assists in drafting and in the preparation of confidential correspondence, documents and reports.
• Maintains currency of file lists and filing system, precedents etc. and updates records and lists in a timely manner to ensure accuracy and searchability
• Files correspondence, reports and other documents in accordance with Region standards and assists with records management.
• Acts as the communications link between staff and cross-department staff, outside agencies and the public.
• Produces and distributes documents, ensuring security and confidentiality of information.
• Identifies best practices and procedures in connection with job duties and responsibilities and implements changes.
• Drafts and/or prepares and co-ordinates background material, briefing notes, as appropriate, for response to inquiries.
• Conducts legal research utilizing various legal research software.
• Receives, redirects and responds, as appropriate, to communications and takes appropriate action to ensure urgent matters are dealt with quickly.
• Assists various Counsel by maintaining schedules, arranging meetings and attendance at courses, making travel and accommodation arrangements.
• Responds to inquiries, referring urgent matters to appropriate staff, and ensures timely communication to law groups.
• Participates in meetings, staff committees and working groups as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet Branch and Department objectives.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Successful completion of Post-Secondary education in a Legal Assistant Program or equivalent approved combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years legal administrative experience in a private or public law practice.
• Thorough knowledge of the preparation of various legal documents, contracts, agreements, , and clerical administrative practices.
• Knowledge of legal interpretation, concepts, principles, and terminology, statutes and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully support multiple legal professionals in a busy and varied practice environment.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating large scale program meetings involving external parties.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability in corporate core competencies including customer service, communication, team work, initiative/self-management and accountability, and flexibility/adaptability.
• Computer literacy utilizing MS Office software applications.
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve problems.
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills and ability to assess priorities and work independently to meet required deadlines with conflicting demands and changing priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and exercise good judgement and discretion in dealing with confidential information and/or responding to inquiries.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours as required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

35

Scheduled Shifts

8:30 - 16:30

Operational Hours

Close Date

September 30, 2026

# of Hires Needed

1

Union

Non Union Staff

All employment opportunities are recorded on a 24-Hour Career Line and may be accessed by calling 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75508. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please be advised, York Region uses email as the primary means of communication with candidates and does not use AI technology in any part of the recruitment process. Please ensure your email address is up to date, checked frequently (including your spam folder), and accepts messages from unknown users.

York Region is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity, aiming to build a qualified workforce that reflects the population we serve. Should you require an accommodation under the Human Rights Code during the recruitment and selection process, including accessible formats and communication supports, please email [e-mail] or call 1-877-464-9675 extension 75506. Accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request during recruitment processes and throughout employment.