Legal Assistant (Civil Litigation)

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity to utilize your legal administration skills? If so, take the next step and develop a career with us in an atmosphere that fosters learning and growth in a supportive, respectful, and healthy work environment!

We are looking for a motivated Legal Assistant to provide legal support to lawyers on the Civil Litigation team.

The Legal Assistants within our division play an integral part in all of our teams. In these challenging legal assistant roles, you will assist the legal team by:

• Preparing and processing a variety of documents from lawyer’s written or verbal instructions
• Preparing and drafting letters, memos, agreements and reports
• Editing and formatting various documents in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Uploading documents into ProLaw
• Preparing and filing pleadings and other court documents such as briefs, orders, books of authorities, factums, affidavits, affidavit of records, responses to undertakings and trial binders
• Preparing and editing all electronic court documents, often from numerous lawyers’ input, and filing/e-filing those documents according to the Rules of Court
• Continuing to stay up to date and following all procedural changes from the Court
• Maintaining and organizing electronic and paper filing system, calendars and diary systems
• Maintaining strong Outlook calendar management through arranging appointments, scheduling meetings, making travel arrangements
• Managing files by liaising with a variety of clients, counsel, and the courts
• Working in a team environment, assisting several lawyers and working closely with other legal assistants on the team
• Utilizing research tools such as CanLii, Westlaw to pull and cite various cases and statutes
• Conducting regular case law searches for legal officers
• Effectively managing and organizing legal files and documents in preparation for court proceedings
• Managing your time effectively under strict deadlines
• Completing other duties as required.

To succeed in this role, you will need to pay attention to detail and demonstrate an ability to encourage others and work as part of a team. You must also be able to work independently and handle a high-volume workload for multiple lawyers and executive directors while meeting necessary deadlines and ensuring high-quality standards are met.

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

• Agility - Must be able to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience, and work effectively in changing environments.
• Drive for Results - Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them. Follows through on duties and tasks and reports on progress.
• Develop Networks - Proactively builds networks, foster connections, and establishes trust in relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking - Understands how work contributes to the achievement of departmental goals. Anticipates changes in own area based on activities in other areas.
• Creative Problem Solving - Have the ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Build Collaborative Environment - Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Develop Self and Others - A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• A two-year diploma in a related field such as Legal Assistant or Paralegal plus one year of progressively responsible related experience working as a Legal Assistant or Paralegal with a Law Firm or other agency, or equivalent as described:
• Equivalency: Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of: one year of experience for one year of education or one year of education for one year of experience.

• A cover letter is required along with your application. In your cover letter, please make sure that you have explained how you meet the requirements, preferences, and assets for this position.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered

Preference will be given to the applicants who have:

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office programs (Word and Excel) and Adobe,
• Experience with civil court procedures, relevant legislation, and high-volume litigation experience.

Following are the Assets for the role:

• Action Request Tracking System (ARTS) or equivalent tracking systems
• ProLaw
• Legal research
• Firm foundation in Civil Law

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

Hours of work: Monday - Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25/week)

Positions Currently Available: One Permanent and one Temporary position (for 12-18 months) are available. This posting might be used to fill other similar opportunities in the future as well.

Location: Peace Hills Trust Tower, 10011-109 St., Edmonton

A Hybrid/remote work opportunity is NOT available.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.