Senior Legal Assistant – Litigation

woodwardandcompany.com

Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP is a national law firm advancing the practice of Aboriginal law with offices in Victoria, and Tsartlip, BC, as well as Toronto, ON.

We aim to be the leading national law firm that provides excellent legal services to Indigenous communities, governments and businesses, advancing transformative change in an era of reconciliation and decolonization. 

We have a strong commitment to our work culture that prioritizes our meaningful work and values of collaboration, excellence, respect, accountability, trust, and ethics. 

Woodward is seeking an experienced Paralegal or Senior Litigation Assistant to join our talented and dedicated team in both office locations in Victoria, BC and Toronto, ON.  

Role Overview

The successful candidate will support litigators with primary focus on Aboriginal, environmental and natural resources law.  

This position is intended to provide general litigation assistance in a variety of high-profile matters from multiple jurisdictions across Canada. This career opportunity offers meaningful work and progression that leverages your extensive litigation experience to a focused area of specialization and an opportunity to evolve in a dynamic and collaborative work environment. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Independently maintain and organize calendars, correspondence, court schedules and bring-forward systems; schedule and coordinate meetings; and assist with day-to-day file and practice management. 
• Edit and format documents such as correspondence, memos, agreements, reports, and litigation records and materials for filing in all court levels. 
• Follow procedures surrounding the preparation, filing and service of court documents. 
• Coordinate with court registries, handle logistics and arrange for court appearances. 
• Extensively use litigation software, databases, and document management systems to provide support in complex litigation matters. 

Qualifications

• 6+ years of work experience in litigation as a focused area of specialization. Mentorship and training with Woodward will lead to a Senior Legal Assistant – Paralegal designation following established familiarity for our areas of practice. 
• Post secondary (diploma, certificate, program) for paralegal or legal studies strongly preferred.
  

Key Competencies

1. Strong knowledge of rules of civil procedure in BC, Ontario, or other jurisdictions (including regulatory bodies), the Federal Court and the Supreme Court. 
2. Familiarity with electronic court registries, e-filing and e-hearing platforms.  
3. Strong problem-solving and resourcefulness using good decision making or judgement. 
4. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 
5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
6. Technical competencies: 
7. Advanced use and knowledge of MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint). 
8. Familiarity with BC Online, LTSA searches, litigation software and document management systems. 
9. Reliability, flexibility, and dependability are essential for this position. 
10. Experience working with Indigenous nations, communities, businesses, or organizations would be considered an asset. 

Why Woodward?

Woodward offers meaningful work, strong connections and relationships, and a great workplace culture. We offer a salary range of $70,000 to $80,000 per year (with consideration for education and experience) with a generous range of benefits which include health, dental, vacation and paid time off, RSP contributions, wellness, relocation, and professional development allowances.  

Woodward offers flexibility with a hybrid work model; however, we anticipate a full-time in-office presence will be requested for someone working in this position.  

How to Apply

If you would like to progress your career with a team that is collaborative, interested, and passionate about providing excellent legal services to Indigenous communities, governments, and businesses, please email a cover letter and resume to: employment@woodwardandcompany.com   

Woodward is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our legal services and work environments. We know that our diversity strengthens Woodward values for collaboration, excellence, respect, accountability, trust, and ethics, and that we all share responsibility for creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. 

Applicants with Indigenous ancestry are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Thank you for your interest in Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP.

We can’t wait to meet you!