Family Law Clerk Jobs

Our client is a well respected law firm with offices in Newmarket, Barrie, Mississauga, Oshawa and Richmond Hill and this role will be in their Newmarket office. The success of their client is built on a commitment to offer the highest degree of professionalism to their clients and completing our work with pride and integrity. Whether clients are buying a house, starting a business, planning their estate or seeking sound legal advice with respect to a separation or commercial litigation matter, they provide personal, one-on-one attention to help them achieve their goals. Their team specializes in divorce and separation law, wills and estates, and real estate.

About the position

The Law Clerk works under the direction of the lawyers and supports them in various interactions with clients and third parties, by filing case information, tracking cases and helping our lawyers prepare for meetings, hearings and trials. This position is responsible for further enhancing our lawyers’ effectiveness by commencing the first draft of materials and pleadings and working with assistants to photocopy and bind court briefs and documents and ensuring that client files and electronic-filing databases are up to date. The Law Clerk interacts with clients to follow up on client documents and collect information that a lawyer needs. The incumbent will be drafting court documents, such as financial statements and disclosure briefs, as directed, applying a common sense and customer service mindset to all business interactions and ensuring that all paperwork is up-to-date, complete and filed correctly. This position reports to the lawyers from whom tasks are received.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Shreds envelopes weekly and attends to partners’ and lawyer’s shredding
• Adheres to quality and customer service standards
• Follows safety and security procedures, reports unsafe conditions and uses equipment and materials properly
• Supports lawyers and facilitates their efficient handling of caseload
• Carries out other duties consistent with responsibilities of position as may be directed by Partners and Management
• Drafts and reviews legal documents as per lawyer’s instructions
• Organizes and maintains information so that it is easy to find, including in databases
• Reminds lawyer of deadlines for sending legal documents as needed
• Writes clearly and informatively and edits work for spelling and grammar
• Complies with firm policies and procedures
• Supports firm goals by taking ownership of assignments
• Keeps cases organized by establishing and organizing files
• Inputs information into file database and case management software
• Receives and makes phone calls, receives visitors, transmits messages, receives and distributes mail and sets up appointments
• Removes daily recycling bags from shredding room and empties into recycling bins and empties garbage when necessary
• Consistently arrives to work and at meetings on time and advises lawyer of unscheduled absences without delay
• Carries out instructions given by management
• Scans and files documents and ensures that client files are up-to-date and accessible (both electronic and physical records)
• Explores opportunities to add value to job responsibilities
• Handles general administrative tasks, mainly related to client files
• Supports firm goals by making recommendations to increase efficiency, productivity
• Ensures meticulous record-keeping
• Protects organization by keeping all business-related information confidential
• Updates active clients files and retrieve old files as needed
• Monitors lawyer’s calendar and responds to inquiries and requests from lawyer
• Interacts with clients, including requesting and following up on client documents and collecting relevant information
• Conducts research as directed by lawyer
• In lawyer’s absence, responds to inquiries from clients in professional manner
• Listens to others without interrupting; gives and welcomes feedback
• Collaborates with coworkers and other lawyers as directed to help with firm workload
• Drafts court documents, including financial statements and disclosure briefs, as directed
• Helps maintain attractive work environment by ensuring that kitchen, appliances and utensils are clean and tidy at all times
• Meets deadlines and documents actions

Experience and Qualifications

• Track record of keeping job knowledge current
• Experience working in customer-focused environment
• Experience in office administration
• Professional certificate an asset
• Successful completion of relevant training programs or college courses on topics such as legal office procedures, civil litigation and legal terminology
• Familiarity with legal terminology and government regulations
• Track record of achievement, as recorded in performance reviews
• Experience working in legal environment

Abilities

• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment
• Ability to support lawyer in developing relationships with clients
• Ability to switch-task, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to prepare, read and interpret legal documents
• Ability to draft legal documents
• Ability to collaborate effectively and positively with all firm staff
• Familiarity with use of legal search databases an asset
• Demonstrated ability to deliver quality and timely results
• Personal motivation and accountability
• Flexibility to work outside of regular hours, including Saturdays
• Ability to switch tasks depending on priorities and meet deadlines
• Valid Ontario ‘G’ driver’s license and access to reliable vehicle
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Solid math skills
• Ability to research and retrieve information
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to translate knowledge into practical application
• Ability to anticipate, understand and respond to needs of clients and staff
• Strong organizational skills
• Pleasant telephone manner and effective communication skills

Salary: $55-$75k plus benefits, vacation and performance bonus