NSLAC – Legal Assistant (Kentville)

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

Job summary

A provincial legal organization seeks a dedicated Legal Assistant to support lawyers in family law, criminal law, and social justice matters. Candidates should possess a post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal, alongside 2 years' relevant experience. Strong organizational, communication, and client service skills are essential as well as proficiency in MS Office and legal software. This position is based in Kentville, Nova Scotia and offers a 1-year term with potential for permanency.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience with family law cases or criminal court practices.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters.
• Experience working with clients who have complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support in family law, criminal law, and social justice matters.
• Manage front desk operations and incoming calls.
• Transcribe briefs and prepare Court-related documents.

Skills

Client service commitment

Organizational skills

Effective communication

Time management

Education

Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal

Tools

MS Office

Legal research applications

Outlook

Job description

Overview

Type of Employment: 1-year Term with potential for permanency

Location: Kentville Office – 10 Webster Street, Suite 201, Kentville

Salary: TE 13-1 to TE 19-5 ($40,733.16 to $59,115.94)

Closing Date: September 23, 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, at times under the direction of Staff Lawyers, the Legal Assistant provides comprehensive administrative support in family law, criminal law and social justice 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.

The Legal Assistant will also be required to provide general office administrative assistance to the Managing Lawyer. This will include implementing the Managing Lawyer’s directions with respect to file management, including applications, certificates and file distribution, and also the processing of expense requisitions, Imprest, trust account reconciliation and communicating with third party service providers as required.

Ideal Attributes and Skills

• Effectively manage the front desk, incoming calls, application intakes and distribution.
• Manage, organize and co-ordinate Lawyers’ Practice.
• Transcribes and types briefs and correspondence, and assures timely preparation, accuracy and documentation of all Court related documents including Orders, affidavits, petitions etc.
• Ensures the management of all legal administrative related duties.
• Certificate administration.
• 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 and works 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.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including comfort speaking with diverse people.
• 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.