Legal Assistant

About Dalhousie University Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

 

Job Summary Dalhousie Legal Aid was the first legal service for low income communities in Nova Scotia and is the oldest clinical law program in Canada. It is also the only community law clinic in Nova Scotia. The Clinic is a unique partnership of community groups, law students, community legal workers and lawyers working together and is operated by the Schulich School of Law. Reporting to the Office Manager, the Legal Assistant will provide secretarial and direct client support, as well as support to law students, lawyers and community legal workers.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate with clients to provide and/or seek information.
• Create, edit, format and type legal documents and correspondence for lawyers and community legal workers.
• Meet with clients in capacity as Commissioner of Oaths to swear affidavits and other documents.
• Advise senior law students on preparation of legal documents and on office procedures.
• Prepare individual files for billing and closure by the Office Manager and maintain offsite file archiving.
• Provide backup reception for the office, which includes greeting walk-ins, answering phones and directing requests appropriately.

 

 

Note Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.

 

Required Qualifications

• Legal Assistant certificate or Paralegal course, plus two years’ related work experience (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Organizational skills are essential, as well as the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Commissioner of Oaths or eligible for appointment as such is required.

 

Assets

• Previous experience working in a law office that practices family law and/or youth criminal law.
• Experience using Legal Files or similar legal management software.

 

Job Competencies

 

  Additional Information Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

 

Application Consideration Bargaining unit employees (NSGEU local 77) are given priority consideration and will be notified on the status of their application following assessment. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or Human Resources.

 

Diversity Statement Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.