Legal Assistant (Intermediate to Senior)

Job description

Dentons is designed to be different. Our Firm leads the way in a rapidly changing legal marketplace. We challenge the status quo and deliver consistent results as well as uncompromising quality and value to our clients. Our global presence is renowned as a Firm with over 21,000 individuals in more than 200 offices serving clients across 80+ countries. Dentons Canada is committed to its people and communities. We are consistently recognized as an employer of choice having received numerous awards including being selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2026). Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2026), and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2026). This role is an opportunity for you to join Canada’s Global Law Firm, a firm that offers opportunities to build your career while growing your skills and deepening your expertise. POSITION SUMMARY The Legal Assistant role requires a unique blend of advanced skills and experience in providing legal administrative support. This position calls for a confident, proactive, and business-minded professional who can manage complex tasks, prioritize effectively, and adapt to changing priorities with ease. As a valued member of our team, you will play a critical role in coordinating client matters, supporting practice management initiatives, and ensuring compliance with firm standards. You bring a willingness to learn and grow while demonstrating sound judgment and independence in handling sophisticated administrative responsibilities. You are personable, organized, discreet, and detail-oriented, with a strong client-first approach to your work. In addition to these qualities, you are reliable, solution-oriented, and believe in frequent and open communication. You understand that successful teams are collaborative and that combining individual strengths leads to the best outcomes. RESPONSIBILITIES Coordinate the new business intake and file opening process by gathering appropriate client information, conducting conflict searches, preparing and distributing engagement letters, and ensuring all required documents are completed, returned, and processed in accordance with firm procedures, with limited supervision. Coordinate document workflow including drafting documents from precedents, finalizing, receiving and distributing documents, correspondence and materials, as directed. Knowledge of and/or preparation of court forms (from precedents) and maintain pleadings (electronic and paper as required). Provide word processing support including editing, revising, formatting, and performing comparisons of documents, blacklines, (such as creating blacklines), to produce client-ready materials with limited supervision. Assist with preparation for hearings, trials, and examinations for discovery including preparation or assembly of materials for court proceedings and various document binders (physical and electronic as required). Maintain accurate document management in firm systems to ensure accuracy and organization. Maintain an efficient client and matter management system, including a bring-forward system to manage critical deadlines, manage client and matter lists as well as contact records, ensuring all information is accurate and compliant with firm standards. Update and maintain client information in the CRM system to ensure records are accurate, current, and complete. Manage calendars by proactively scheduling and tracking appointments, meetings, practice-related dates, and critical deadlines for multiple lawyers and team members; independently arrange and confirm meetings with clients and external parties; coordinate travel and meeting logistics, including booking transportation and accommodations; and organize boardroom reservations and catering services to ensure seamless and efficient daily operations. Support lawyers and clients by monitoring upcoming tasks and deadlines, assisting with schedule management to help keep legal matters organized and on track. Proactively support financial practice management and billing initiatives which may include entering/reviewing time entries for completeness and revising them in accordance with firm standards; manage the full billing cycle by meeting deadlines, reviewing and editing invoices, and collaborating with the billing coordinator and lawyers to ensure timely and accurate finalization of invoices, reviewing work-in-process (WIP) and accounts receivable (AR) and implementing other firm financial best practices related to client management. Process financial forms (including cheque requisitions, wire transfers, trust deposits) and expense reports. Serve as a primary point of contact for lawyers, handling client inquiries, communicating with opposing counsel, supporting internal collaboration, and assisting with cross-team coordination effort. Support cross-region matters, matter credit management, compliance initiatives, and audits. Coordinate all administrative tasks throughout the matter lifecycle, including transferring and closing files in alignment with firm protocols and standards. Contribute to internal collaboration and process improvement initiatives, and assist with team mentoring and training efforts. Familiarity with/experience in and/or working knowledge of performing litigation and other due diligence searches (corporate, land, insolvency, personal property, court, etc.) by using online platforms or by collaborating with an agent. REQUIREMENTS Completion of a recognized legal support program (Legal Assistant, Law Clerk, Paralegal) preferred or equivalent. 4+ years of law firm experience in a litigation legal assistant or legal administrative role. Advanced digital dexterity and proficiency with legal technology applications such as in Microsoft Office Suite, secure file sharing and CRM platforms. Proficient understanding of common legal documents and legal procedures (related to the area of practice). Proficiency with legal software and platforms related to the area of practice Proficiency with document management systems and law firm financial systems Effectively manages a deadline-driven workflow with limited supervision, maintaining a strong level of accuracy and attention to detail. Demonstrates solid organizational skills by prioritizing tasks and ensuring timely completion of assignments in a fast-paced legal environment. Excellent grammar, proofreading, and detail orientation; takes full ownership of the accuracy and professionalism of work product. Proactive, professional courteous and effective communication (both verbal and written) with clients and colleagues. Demonstrates reliability, confidentiality, service excellence, adaptability, and sound judgment under pressure, while upholding privacy and ethical standards. Ability to work collaboratively and independently. Is self-driven, forward-thinking, and proactive. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. This role is a new role. The target salary range for this position is $60,000 – $80,000, commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications. Dentons is committed to equitable and competitive compensation. This target range falls within our internal salary ranges, which are based on comparable roles in the external market. We strive to hire, promote, and transfer individuals at the entry point of the range, with consideration given to prior experience, relevant skills, and market conditions. We recognize that rewarding exceptional talent goes beyond salary. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes inclusive and flexible benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. This includes extended health and mental health benefits, paid time off, retirement savings plans, a fitness subsidy, parental leave top-up, and more. In addition, our learning and development programs—such as mentorship opportunities, employee networks, and leadership development initiatives—are designed to support personal and professional growth. At Dentons, all candidate screening, assessment, and hiring decisions are made by people. From time to time, we use AI-enabled tools to assist in enhancing our recruitment process and materials; however, these tools do not screen candidates or make hiring decisions. Note: Availability of benefits and programs may vary depending on your location and employment type and may be subject to eligibility criteria. Dentons reserves the right to modify or discontinue offerings, in whole or in part, at its discretion and without prior notice. Equal Opportunity Statement At Dentons Canada, inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) are not just ancillary values, they are foundational to our business. We believe that IDEA is essential to the shared success of our team and our clients. Our forward-thinking and inclusive culture supports the professional development of all our people, enhances the leading services we offer to our clients, and informs our commitment to make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. As a testament to our commitment to IDEA, we have been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employer’s for 15 consecutive years (2011-2026), as well as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2026) for the ninth time. Dentons Canada is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome your application. All employment decisions, including hiring, will be made without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, creed, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity, marital status, place of origin, race, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable human rights legislation. We are committed to providing you with an inclusive, barrier-free, and accessible workplace to support your success. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, for example as a result of a disability, please contact us at .