Legal Assistant (2 Halifax Vacancies)

Nova Scotia Barristers' Society; Nova Scotia; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A legal services organization in Halifax is seeking a Legal Assistant to provide comprehensive administrative support in criminal law matters. The ideal candidate will have a post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration and at least 2 years of relevant experience. Proficiency in MS Office and legal software is essential. This position offers a term contract with potential for permanency.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in family law or criminal court practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support in criminal law matters.
• Manage front desk and incoming calls.
• Transcribe and prepare legal documents.

Skills

Front desk management

Legal administrative duties

Communication skills

Time management

Proficiency with MS Office and legal software

Education

Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal

Job description

Type of Employment: 1-year Term Contract with potential for permanency
Location: Halifax South Office, 400-5475 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
Salary: TE 13-1 to TE 19-5 ($40,733.16 to $59,115.94)
Closing Date: September 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Who we are:

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers quality legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are systematically disadvantaged. NSLAC’s focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.

NSLAC employs staff in 25 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province. Our staff are comprised of Staff Lawyers, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Court Support Workers, Social Workers, a Social Justice Support Worker, and a Prison Law Support Worker. Our staff help thousands of clients every year. We are committed to helping overcome historical and ongoing barriers to access to justice and our Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application, cover letter or resume.

Primary Functions:

Reporting to the Managing Lawyer and under the direction of the Office Manager and Staff Lawyers, the Legal Assistant provides comprehensive administrative support in criminal law matters to the lawyers in the day-to-day conduct of clients’ legal affairs. An understanding of and commitment to client service is imperative. The Legal Assistant must have a broad range of knowledge relating to the functions, activities, policies and practices of the NSLAC.

Ideal Attributes and Skills:

• Effectively manage the front desk, incoming calls, application intake and distribution.
• Manage, organize and coordinate lawyers’ practices.
• Transcribes, types briefs and transcripts assuring timely preparation, accuracy and documentation of correspondence.
• Certificate administration.
• Ensures management of all legal administrative related duties.
• Ability to work independently, to take initiative, and to use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Be able to work with clients who have complex needs.
• Work independently in a fast-paced environment as well as part of a team.
• Compliance with NSLAC’s policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively.
• Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including legal research applications, MS Office and Outlook.
• All other duties as required

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal or equivalent training and related relevant experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with family law cases, criminal court practices, social justice matters, procedures and systems would be an asset.

If you are talented, conscientious and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.

Please indicate Position Title and Location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the email subject line. Please send your resume and cover letter to [e-mail] .

While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be held in strict confidence.