Hybrid Legal Assistant – Dispute Resolution, Advocacy, 5+ Years

at Lerners LLP

• Job title: Legal Assistant – Dispute Resolution, Advocacy, 5+ Years
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: CA$68,500 - CA$77,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Associate's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Toronto, Canada

About the role

• Legal Assistant position at Lerners supporting Dispute Resolution & Advocacy practice. Requires experience in litigation and administrative support within a legal environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key administrative and practice support resource, including scheduling calls, meetings, examinations, appointments, and maintaining ongoing client communications.
• Request conflict checks and manage file openings and closures.
• Maintain lawyer calendars, proactively track deadlines, and manage an effective bring‑forward (BF) system.
• Draft, format, proofread, and process legal documents based on precedents, including correspondence, agreements, applications, submissions, and court or tribunal filings.
• Prepare and manage documents for client meetings and ongoing file administration.
• Maintain accurate electronic file organization, including uploading, filing, naming, and document management using the firm’s Document Management System (iManage).
• Compile, serve, and file court or tribunal materials, such as pleadings, motion materials, and submissions, as required, including in collaboration with law clerks.
• Communicate professionally with clients, courts, experts, service providers, and other external stakeholders.
• Assist with billing, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, including requesting and sending invoices, coordinating processing of payments and deposits, coordinating billing correspondence, and liaising with accounting staff.
• Organize and submit expense reports.
• Organize and coordinate internal and external meetings, including preparing agendas, materials, and minutes, where required.
• Coordinate with other support staff (law clerks, assistants, records, and mailroom) to ensure timely completion of tasks.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Perform other duties related to the efficient administration and operation of the practice.

Requirements

• Legal Assistant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least five (5) to eight (8) years of experience as a Legal Assistant in a legal environment; commercial and/or civil litigation experience is an asset
• Strong understanding of the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure, including service requirements, deadlines, and court forms
• Experience with Ontario estates law procedures and processes is an asset
• Highly organized, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines and multitask effectively
• Strong work ethic, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Self‑motivated, with the ability to anticipate needs and proactively take next steps
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a professional and client‑focused approach
• Strong interpersonal and problem‑solving skills, exercising sound judgment and critical thinking
• Ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve administrative and procedural issues
• Demonstrated commitment to high‑quality client service and professionalism
• Comfort working with technology in a remote or hybrid environment
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, with the ability to quickly learn firm‑specific systems
• Experience with legal software such as ACL, Case Center, iManage, and/or OneDrive is an asset
• Experience with court filing platforms, such as the Ontario Courts Public Portal (OCPP) and/or Justice Services Online (JSO) platform, is preferred
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Benefits

• Health, Extended Health, Dental and Vision care
• LTD insurance
• Life insurance
• Parking/Transit reimbursement
• RRSP matching program
• Paid Volunteer Time
• Referral Bonus
• Employee Assistance Program