Litigation Associate

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Fitness reimbursement

Diversity and inclusion program

Wellness program

Well-stocked kitchen and beverages

Job summary

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, a leading national law firm, seeks a mid-level associate for its national litigation practice. You will work on complex corporate, commercial and securities disputes, taking meaningful ownership of files and building client relationships.

The role emphasizes collaboration, practical judgment, and growth within a supportive, high-performing team. 4–5 years of post-call experience and strong advocacy skills are essential.

Qualifications

• J.D. with good standing in the Law Society of Ontario.
• 4–5 years of post-call litigation experience in private practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage litigation matters of moderate complexity with supervision.
• Lead day-to-day management of assigned matters.
• Draft pleadings, affidavits, opinions and other litigation materials.

Skills

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Client service mindset

Mentoring juniors

Education

J.D. (Ontario) licenced

Tools

LexisNexis/Westlaw

Document management systems

Job description

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is a leading national law firm serving the transaction, advocacy, and advisory needs of clients across Canada’s most dynamic industries. From offices in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, our litigators act on complex commercial disputes for multinational, national, and mid-market clients. We combine rigorous advocacy with practical judgment, inventive strategy, and an unwavering focus on achieving efficient, business-minded outcomes.

Our Culture:

At Cassels, our mission is to attract, retain and promote individuals of exceptional ability and talent from as broad a range of backgrounds as possible. We offer meaningful career opportunities, invest in professional growth, and foster an inclusive environment. Our Firm’s success is built on the unique skills, perspectives, experiences and values of each individual. We encourage a corporate culture that respects and celebrates the dignity, value and diversity of all.

Role Overview:

Our Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group is seeking a talented and highly motivated mid-level associate to join our national litigation practice. The successful candidate will work alongside experienced litigators on a broad range of complex corporate, commercial, and securities litigation disputes. This is an opportunity to take meaningful ownership of files, develop your advocacy skills, build trusted client relationships, and contribute at every stage of litigation. We are looking for a collaborative, curious, and commercially minded lawyer who is ready to grow within a supportive, high-performing team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Managing litigation and dispute resolution matters of moderate complexity, with increasing independence and appropriate supervision.
• Assuming carriage of discrete files and lead day-to-day management of assigned matters.
• Conducting and supervising legal research and develop practical legal advice and litigation strategies that reflect each client’s objectives.
• Drafting pleadings, affidavits, factums, opinions, correspondence, and other litigation materials.
• Preparing for and participating in discoveries, cross-examinations, mediations, motions, arbitrations, trials, and appeals.
• Analyzing evidence, assess legal and commercial risk, and identify opportunities for efficient dispute resolution.
• Communicating directly with clients, opposing counsel, experts, witnesses, and courts and tribunals.
• Managing deadlines, budgets, reporting obligations, and files in accordance with firm policies and professional obligations.
• Using legal technology, document management systems, and litigation support tools to deliver efficient, high-quality legal services.
• Collaborating with partners, associates, students, law clerks, and other professionals and staff.
• Delegating effectively and provide guidance, coaching, and feedback to junior team members.
• Contributing to knowledge sharing, professional development, recruitment initiatives, and firm committees.
• Participating in client development, networking, marketing, thought leadership, and business development activities.

The successful candidate must have the following education, experience and/or demonstrated skills:

• J.D. and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• 4 – 5 years of post-call litigation experience in a private practice environment.
• Strong understanding of Ontario court procedures, advocacy principles, and dispute resolution processes.
• Excellent legal writing, research, and analytical skills, with careful attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and practice management skills, with the ability to manage multiple files and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident oral advocacy, sound judgment, and a practical approach to problem-solving.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a client-service mindset, and a genuine commitment to collaboration.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and delegating work to junior lawyers, students, and legal support personnel.
• Comfort using legal research platforms, document management systems, and other legal technology tools.

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation + Extended Health & Dental Care.
• Fitness Reimbursement Program.
• Diversity and Inclusion Centric Culture
• A Culture of Wellness: Cassels recognizes the importance of wellness and provides a comprehensive program that addresses the mental and physical well-being of our employees by providing resources, services, training and support on an ongoing basis.
• A fully stocked kitchen with healthy snacks, plus coffee, tea, and drinks throughout the year.
• A business casual dress code (client/day specific).

Cassels is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and an accessible environment. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities and/or people with intersectional identities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, and we will provide appropriate accommodation for candidates with disabilities or accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process, upon request. Please contact our recruiter for any questions, accommodations or specific requests.