Senior Legal Assistant – Indigenous Law
Full Time, In-Office
West Saanich, BC, CA
ABOUT US
Mack Law Corp is wholly Indigenous-owned and operated. Founder Leah Mack, together with her fellow associates and staff, work to provide thoughtful, practical, and clear legal advice to First Nation communities, individuals and organizations in British Columbia and across Canada. We are passionate about cultural safety and humility, and strongly believe in justice and fairness. Our varied skills and backgrounds have allowed us to form a close-knit group that works hard to deliver the advice, options, and tools for our clients. Our primary areas of focus include law and policy drafting, negotiating corporate-Indigenous agreements, governance capacity, intellectual property and copyright, resource and lands management, employment and transitions from Indian Act governance to self-determined governance. Our work includes supporting First Nations with Treaties, as well as those with no agreements with the Crown. Our office is located on unceded W̱SÁNEĆ land, near Brentwood Bay.
PROFILE
Our firm is currently seeking a senior legal assistant to assist us in providing our services to our clients. In this role, the ideal candidate must have a demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative, both of which are imperative in this role. This individual will also have strong technical skills with exceptional attention to detail, as well as a strong track record of producing quality work. This is a unique opportunity to join a dedicated team of experienced and friendly colleagues, while effecting positive change within First Nations communities and citizens.
Please note that while we pride ourselves on providing a flexible and supportive work environment, this role will require the assistant to work in our office. We are pleased to offer competitive salary, paid vacation and commuting allowance, as well as extended health and dental benefits (including RRSP matching).
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
- Support primary and secondary supervising lawyers with all aspects of their legal practices, including both solicitor and litigation work
- Draft, revise, and finalize basic administrative legal documents and correspondence
- Proofread and edit correspondence and legal documents upon request from lawyers
- Transmit electronic legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials by electronic filing, mail, or messenger
- Communicate with opposing counsel and other parties, clients, judicial administrative staff and vendors
- Proofread and file pleadings, affidavits, and other court documents
- Attend to service of filed pleadings on opposing counsel and/or other opposing parties
- Locate, analyze, and compile information and statistical/documentary research, as well as prepare and manage FOI/FIPPA access to information requests
- Utilize various provincial, federal, and other legislative resources (i.e., First Nation
Gazette) to conduct legal and case research as required
- Maintain and organize all aspects of our paperless client files, including document management and initial file opening prep including retainer letters
- Facilitate access to files and documents for lawyers across firm
- Respond to cold calls, client inquiries and perform conflict checks
- Prompt, record and continually manage all BFs for supervising lawyers
- Review correspondence, file materials and other resources to determine matter deadlines and correspond with lawyer regarding findings
- Prioritize tasks and assignments while monitoring deadlines
- Coordinate and schedule external meetings with clients and internal meetings with firm
- Prepare expense forms and receipts for supervising lawyers
- Communicate with other law office staff and delegate responsibilities amongst team
- Maintain contact lists
- Manage administrative aspects of each lawyers’ practice, including CPD requirements
- Ensure all provincial, federal and LSBC records, data and privacy requirements are met
QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of 3-5 years’ experience as a legal assistant. Preference may be given to applicants with experience in Indigenous law, but we encourage all interested applicants to apply.
- In-depth understanding of and direct experience utilizing cloud-based programs, such as Microsoft 365 (Office Web Apps, SharePoint, Teams and Outlook.)
- Completion of a post-secondary legal assistant program.
- Experience using Clio is an asset.
- Knowledge of BC Registries, BC Online, and Adobe is an asset.
Our firm recognizes diversity as a source of strength and celebrates inclusivity. We value every person as a unique individual, and we are committed to building a culture of equity and respect within our firm. We are honoured to receive applications from individuals of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, and life experiences. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation at any time during the process, please let us know.
Please note that preference will be given to Indigenous applicants who self-identify. Our office is located on reserve.
If you think you are the right fit for this opportunity, please apply via Indeed or send your CV in confidence to:
Janna Kucharsky
[email protected]
While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: $50,000.00-$70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Commuter benefits
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Saanichton, BC V8M 1R7: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you have direct experience using cloud-based software? (i.e. Microsoft 365 (Office Web Apps, SharePoint, Teams and Outlook)
Experience:
- legal assistant: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 2023-04-30
