Litigation Legal Assistant

Marks & Clerk; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

RRSP 4% matching after probation

Extended health and dental care

Job summary

Marks & Clerk Canada is seeking a skilled Legal Assistant to support IP litigation actions and coordinate with the Co-Head of Litigation. The role requires meticulous administration, document management, and liaison with federal and provincial courts; a hybrid work arrangement is in place to balance office and remote tasks.

The successful candidate will have a Legal Assistant Diploma, 3–6 years in IP litigation, and strong proofreading and organization skills.

Qualifications

• Legal Assistant Diploma is required.
• Minimum 3 to 6 years in a litigation role working in an IP environment, including experience liaising with the Federal Court.
• Experience working with the Ontario Courts is an asset.
• Excellent proofreading and organisational skills with a high level of accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with the preparation, formatting, service, filing, and management of court documents in accordance with applicable court rules and practice directions.
• Coordinating and tracking service of documents, filing confirmations, undertakings, and litigation deadlines.
• Maintaining litigation calendars, including limitation periods, motion schedules, discovery deadlines, pre-trial conferences, and trial dates.
• Preparing and organizing electronic and hard-copy motion, hearing, and trial materials.
• Assisting with the preparation of books of authorities, compendiums, motion records, application records, and hearing briefs.
• Assisting law clerk(s) to liaise with and book Court dates; assisting with preparing court forms, pleadings, and other court documents, as required.
• Coordinating with process servers, court reporters, transcription services, eDiscovery vendors, experts, and external service providers.
• Managing large volumes of documentary evidence, productions, and correspondence.
• Managing due dates and filing deadlines; maintaining filing system for documents; compiling and organizing materials.
• Serving as a primary administrative contact for clients, experts, consultants, opposing counsel, and court offices.
• Opening new matters, preparing engagement documentation, monitoring retainer requirements, and maintaining matter records.
• Managing client administrative and billing requirements, and conflict searching.
• Assisting lawyers with client reporting requirements, budget tracking, and matter status updates.
• General practice administration, including preparing routine correspondence, processing client invoicing and third-party payables (e.g., experts and consultants), and expense reimbursement.
• Assisting with organizing work schedules by maintaining calendar and contacts, scheduling appointments, and coordinating travel arrangements.
• Supporting business development initiatives, including preparing client presentations, pitches, and other legal publications, as requested.
• Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Skills

Proactive

Organized

Proofreading

Attention to detail

Education

Legal Assistant Diploma

Tools

iManage

Job description

Marks & Clerk is one of the world’s leading intellectual firms, with our first Canadian office established in 1921. With a qualified team of seasoned patent and trademark professionals, we offer a full spectrum of expertise on all aspects of intellectual property matters – patents, trademarks, designs, and copyright. This includes strategic and commercial advice on portfolio management, licensing, enforcement and litigation, and due diligence and valuation of intellectual property

Through a global network of 15 offices in Canada, the UK (across eight cities), Europe and Asia, Marks & Clerk has long-established relationships with other trusted IP firms worldwide and a unique ability to secure IP protection for clients looking to safeguard their innovations in multiple jurisdictions. Our clients come from a diverse range of industries and include start-ups, small and medium sized businesses and large multi-national corporations who have long trusted us to deliver high quality, seamless and cost-effective services, both locally and globally.

We are looking to add additional, motivated talent to join our dynamic litigation team to provide key support to our professionals and law clerks focusing on IP litigation, and in particular assist our Co-Head of Litigation.

This position offers a unique opportunity for learning, autonomy, and development in IP litigation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assisting with the preparation, formatting, service, filing, and management of court documents in accordance with applicable court rules and practice directions.
• Coordinating and tracking service of documents, filing confirmations, undertakings, and litigation deadlines.
• Maintaining litigation calendars, including limitation periods, motion schedules, discovery deadlines, pre-trial conferences, and trial dates.
• Preparing and organizing electronic and hard-copy motion, hearing, and trial materials.
• Assisting with the preparation of books of authorities, compendiums, motion records, application records, and hearing briefs.
• Assisting law clerk(s) to liaise with and book Court dates; assisting with preparing court forms, pleadings, and other court documents, as required.
• Coordinating with process servers, court reporters, transcription services, eDiscovery vendors, experts, and external service providers.
• Managing large volumes of documentary evidence, productions, and correspondence.
• Managing due dates and filing deadlines; maintaining filing system for documents; compiling and organizing materials.
• Serving as a primary administrative contact for clients, experts, consultants, opposing counsel, and court offices.
• Opening new matters, preparing engagement documentation, monitoring retainer requirements, and maintaining matter records.
• Managing client administrative and billing requirements, and conflict searching.
• Assisting lawyers with client reporting requirements, budget tracking, and matter status updates.
• General practice administration, including preparing routine correspondence, processing client invoicing and third-party payables (e.g., experts and consultants), and expense reimbursement.
• Assisting with organizing work schedules by maintaining calendar and contacts, scheduling appointments, and coordinating travel arrangements.
• Supporting business development initiatives, including preparing client presentations, pitches, and other legal publications, as requested.
• Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Exercises sound judgment and maintains the highest level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Proactively identifies administrative issues and proposes solutions to improve efficiency and workflow.
• Becomes expert at the firm’s policies and all applicable administrative procedures.
• Demonstrates teamwork by providing support to other practice group professionals and staff, as requested, whenever workload permits.
• Maintains a positive and professional relationship with external legal counsel, Courts, agencies, and professional organizations with whom the litigation professional(s) work.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as requested.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate must have:

• Legal Assistant Diploma
• Minimum 3 to 6 years in a litigation role working in an IP environment, including experience liaising with the Federal Court. Experience working with the Ontario Courts is an asset
• Proactive and organized; strong proofreading skills with high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Familiarity with iManage an asset

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary dependent on qualification and experience plus extended health and dental care
• RRSP 4% matching after probation period is complete.
• Currently firm members enjoy a hybrid arrangement, working 2 days in the office and the balance from home.

Marks & Clerk Canada is an equal opportunity employer and will provide accommodations during the recruitment process upon request.

Currently, M&C firm members are in a hybrid arrangement, working 2 days a week in the office and the balance of the week at home. The goal is to provide firm, members with a practical work-life balance.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.