Legal Assistant (Litigation, Bankruptcy and Restructuring)

At McCarthy Tétrault, we offer challenging and rewarding career opportunities and are delighted to have been selected for the eleventh consecutive year in 2023 as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers.

Our culture is built on professional excellence, collaboration, innovation, thought leadership and entrepreneurialism. We embrace inclusion in all its forms and we provide the tools and opportunities to help our people develop to their full potential.

This position is based out of Calgary . McCarthy Tétrault employees benefit from a hybrid work environment.

As a Legal Assistant (Litigation, Bankruptcy and Restructuring), you will be :

Documents

• Preparing, editing, formatting, printing, scanning, and revising correspondence, memoranda, litigation documents, reports, forms, labels and other printed material through dictation, copy typing or other instructions, in accordance with the requirements set by the practice group.
• Coordinating and dispersing tasks to be performed by various resource groups such as the Document Specialists, Legal Administrative Support Services, Administrative Clerks, Billing Assistants, etc.

where appropriate while ensuring tasks are completed in a timely manner.

• Proofreading documents and checking for appropriate formatting, spelling, grammar, and clarity.
• Drafting, preparing, and proofreading legal documents, correspondence, accounts, pleadings, briefs, various litigation documents and court forms.

Litigation

• Assisting lawyers in the preparation and coordination of hearings and trials; recording and monitoring court appearance dates, pleadings and filing requirements.
• Deliver accurate and timely transcription of legal documents.
• Preparing basic court pleadings or other courtroom visuals.
• Coordinating service and filing of proceedings with agencies and courts.
• Scheduling and coordinating discoveries, expert witnesses, or other court-designated hearings. Monitoring evidence gathering.
• Maintaining an in-depth and current knowledge of legal terminology, court rules and procedures as well as medical terminology where applicable.

File and Time Management

• Managing files including opening new files, maintaining large and complex files, developing, maintaining, and utilizing an orderly filing and retrieval system to ensure ease of reference to historical paper or electronic records, organizing law and precedent files.
• Working with Records Management and Administrative Clerks to create, maintain and store client files as appropriate.
• Managing key dates including physical bring forward system and updating calendars for assigned lawyers, including their meetings, appointments, due dates, and client-related activities.

Lawyer / Client Support

Coordinating lawyer travel arrangements, including preparing itineraries and travel expense reports.

Updating contact names and addresses in the client database on a regular basis.

• Coordinating client meetings, including scheduling rooms and arranging for needed catering or audio-visual equipment.
• Handling client inquiries expeditiously and conducting follow up as required.

Mail, Fax and Phone Reception Functions

• Reviewing and routing incoming mail and fax communications; preparing and processing outgoing mail and faxes; and arranging for specialized mail or messenger services as required.
• Receiving, handling, screening and / or directing incoming calls as directed by lawyers; responding to routine inquiries and requests from clients;

and taking messages as required.

Financial and Administrative Functions

• Assisting with the preparation and finalization of time entry on a daily basis according to firm standards in preparation for Billing Assistant to process.
• Working with Finance to coordinate new Client and Matter openings (KYC).
• Coordinating activities with functional area staff (Office Services, Marketing, etc.), as needed.
• Preparing and updating forms, including cheque requisitions and expense reports.
• Updating and maintaining electronic records of client and matter lists, ensuring that current client contact information is up to date.
• Providing consistent backup support when assistants are absent; providing support to assistants who may be managing multiple tasks and / or difficult deadlines;

and working proactively as a positive and productive member of the team.

Other

• Maintaining and updating job knowledge and technical skills by identifying and participating in education opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

As our ideal candidate, you will distinguish yourself by the following profile :

• Legal Assistant Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a legal assistant supporting litigation, banking, and restructuring, with the ability to adeptly manage complex legal tasks.
• In-depth knowledge of legal terminology, court rules and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and superior word processing, spelling, proofreading, and editing skills.
• Capacity to perform duties with speed and accuracy.
• Strong time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills, and ability to work under pressure to meet important deadlines.
• Able to independently manage and track files with strong attention to detail and technical skills necessary for handling large, complex documents.
• High-level proficiency in Outlook, Word, PDF, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Flexibility to occasionally work overtime.

As a member of the McCarthy team, you will have access to :

• Outstanding benefits from day one, including insurance premiums paid by the Firm and wellness and technology reimbursements.
• Competitive compensation, paid overtime, and generous time off, including a day off to volunteer and a day off for your birthday.
• A commitment to professional development and growth opportunities for our people at all levels, supported by a culture that fully embraces and encourages two-way feedback.
• Strong community involvement and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• A collaborative, cohesive culture that connects lawyers and business teams through collective purpose.

We thank all applicants for their interest in McCarthy Tétrault; however, only chosen applicants will be contacted. We regret that we are unable to respond to individual inquiries about application status.

McCarthy Tétrault is an equal opportunity employer that fosters an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment. Please notify us if you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process.