Bilingual Legal Assistant, Litigation

Job Description:
McCarthy Tétrault is a Canadian law firm that offers a full suite of legal and business solutions to clients in Canada and around the world. At McCarthy Tétrault, we offer challenging and rewarding career opportunities in our offices in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary and Vancouver. We are delighted to have been selected for the eleventh consecutive year in 2023 as one of _Canada’s Top 100 Employers_ and to have earned the distinction of one of _Canada’s Best Diversity Employers_ for the thirteenth consecutive year in 2025. Our culture is built on professional excellence, collaboration, innovation, thought leadership and entrepreneurialism. We embrace inclusion in all its forms and we provide the tools and opportunities to help our people develop to their full potential.

**As a Bilingual Legal Assistant (Litigation), you will**:
_
Documents_

- Preparing, editing, formatting, printing, scanning and revising correspondence, memoranda, litigation documents, reports, forms, labels and other printed material through dictation, copy typing or other instructions, in accordance with the requirements set by the practice group.
- Coordinating and dispersing tasks to be performed by various resource groups such as the Document Specialists, Administrative Clerks, Billing Assistants, etc. where appropriate while ensuring tasks are completed in a timely manner.
- Proofreading documents and checking for appropriate formatting, spelling, grammar and clarity.

_ Litigation_

- Assisting lawyers in the preparation and coordination of hearings and trials; recording and monitoring court appearance dates, pleadings and filing requirements.
- Preparing basic court pleadings or other courtroom visuals.
- Coordinating service and filing of proceedings with agencies and courts.
- Scheduling and coordinating discoveries, expert witnesses or other court-designated hearings. Monitoring evidence gathering.
- Maintaining an in-depth knowledge of legal terminology, court rules and procedures as well as medical terminology where applicable.

_ File and Time Management_

- Managing files including: opening new files, maintaining large and complex files, developing, maintaining and utilizing an orderly filing and retrieval system to ensure ease of reference to historical paper or electronic records, organizing law and precedent files.
- Working with Records Management and Administrative Clerks to create, maintain and store client files as appropriate.
- Managing key dates including physical bring forward system and updating calendars for assigned lawyers, including their meetings, appointments, due dates and client-related activities.

_ Lawyer / Client Support_

- Coordinating lawyer travel arrangements, including preparing itineraries and travel expense reports.
- Updating contact names and addresses in the client database on a regular basis.
- Coordinating client meetings, including scheduling rooms and arranging for needed catering or audio-visual equipment.

_ Mail, Fax and Phone Reception Functions_

- Reviewing and routing incoming mail and fax communications; preparing and processing outgoing mail and faxes; and arranging for specialized mail or messenger services as required.
- Receiving, handling, screening and/or directing incoming calls as directed by lawyers; responding to routine inquiries and requests from clients; and taking messages as required.

_ Financial and Administrative Functions_

- Assisting with the preparation and finalization of time entry on a daily basis according to firm standards in preparation for Billing Assistant to process.
- Working with Finance to coordinate new Client and Matter openings (KYC).
- Coordinating activities with functional area staff (Office Services, Marketing, etc.), as needed.
- Providing consistent backup support when assistants are absent; providing support to assistants who may be managing multiple tasks and/or difficult deadlines; and working proactively as a positive and productive member of the team.

_ Other_

- Maintaining and updating job knowledge and technical skills by identifying and participating in education opportunities.
- Other duties as assigned.

- Bilingual (French & English) required.
- Legal Assistant Diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum 3 years of experience as a litigation legal assistant.
- Strong attention to detail and superior word processing, spelling, proofreading and editing skills.
- Capacity to perform duties with speed and accuracy.
- Strong time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills and ability to work under pressure to meet important deadlines.
- Ability to follow-up on files and delays with mínimal supervision.
- High level of discretion and confidentiality.
- Flexibility to occasionally work overtime.

** As a member of the McCarthy team, you will have access to**:

- Outstanding benefits from day one, including insurance premiums paid by the Firm and wellness and technology reimbursements.
- Competitive comp