Legal Assistant, Corporate

Davies Ward Phlips Vneberg LLP; Toronto; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian law firm is seeking a Day Legal Assistant for its Corporate group in Toronto. The role involves providing comprehensive support to corporate partners, managing legal documents, and ensuring smooth client interactions. Ideal candidates will have a community college certificate and extensive experience in a legal environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience as a legal assistant or equivalent.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated support to Corporate Partners and Associate.
• Prepare and process legal documents and correspondence.
• Coordinate client meetings and manage calendars.

Skills

Communication

Attention to Detail

Client Service

Organization

Time Management

Education

Community college certificate in a Legal Assistant program

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Davies is a top-tier Canadian law firm focused on high-stakes matters. With offices in Montréal, Toronto and New York, we are consistently at the centre of the most challenging deals and cases in Canada and abroad.

A position at Davies is more than just a job. When you join the firm, you will be welcomed by a team that places as much emphasis on supporting its people as it does on serving its prestigious clients. As such, we have created a collaborative environment where team members of all backgrounds feel appreciated and are encouraged to share their ideas while working alongside some of the brightest legal and business professionals who are eager to share their knowledge and experience.

About the Position

We are currently seeking a Day Legal Assistant to join our Corporate group in our Toronto office working in a share of 4 : 1. The successful candidate will work Monday to Friday, 8 : 30 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m.

The position requires strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and technical skills. Demonstrate initiative, high attention to detail and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. Strong client service skills, organization skills and practice management abilities are also required.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated support to a group of 3 Corporate Partners and 1 Associate
• Prepare and process correspondence, memoranda and legal documents according to the firm’s standards, using the firm’s word processing and document management software
• Compose and draft routine cover letters and documents
• Proofread documents and check for appropriate formatting, spelling and grammar; prepare revisions and blackline documents as directed
• Prepare closing books and index hyperlinking
• Assist lawyers and students with the establishment and maintenance of online tools (Deal Room / ShareFile) for the purpose of facilitating legal transactions for the firm
• Review and route incoming mail and fax communications; prepare and process outgoing mail and faxes; arrange specialized mail or messenger services, as required
• At the direction of the lawyer, ensure email correspondence is filed to the appropriate client matter
• Manage key dates and update calendars for assigned lawyers, including their meetings, appointments, due dates and client-related activities
• Coordinate lawyer travel arrangements and travel expense reports using the firm’s Chrome River database
• Update contact names and addresses in the firm's InterAction database on a regular basis
• Coordinate client meetings, including scheduling rooms and arranging for catering and / or audio-visual equipment using the firm's Meeting Room booking software
• Receive, handle, screen and / or direct incoming calls as directed by lawyer; respond to routine inquiries and requests from clients; take messages
• Coordinate docket entry and submission according to the firm’s timelines for docket submissions
• Prepare expense reimbursements and disbursement requests
• Prepare client accounts and coordinate client billing matters with the accounting department
• Work with the lawyer to enter new client and matter opening requests using the firm's database
• Coordinate and disperse tasks to be performed by various resource groups such as document specialists, billing specialists, etc., while ensuring tasks are completed in a timely manner
• Manage files, including opening new files and maintaining precedent files
• Work with the records department to create, maintain and store client files as appropriate
• Demonstrate teamwork and provide support to other legal assistants, as time permits
• Provide support to other lawyers, clerks and / or students within the team structure in the absence of the regularly assigned assistant when dedicated support is not available
• Work cooperatively with other departments and individuals in the firm

Qualifications

• Community college certificate in a Legal Assistant program or equivalent
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience as a legal assistant or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written
• A high level of professionalism
• Team player with a positive attitude
• Takes initiative while using discretion and good judgement in decision making
• Excellent technical knowledge of Microsoft applications, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat
• Highly organized with the ability to handle administrative tasks and produce documents in a timely and accurate manner
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills
• Strong attention to detail

To Apply

For more information or to apply, please submit your application to Karen Keane at [e-mail].

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Davies is committed to providing a diverse, inclusive and accessible workplace for candidates and firm members with disabilities. Please let us know of any accommodations you may require at any time during the recruitment process.