Secretary 2

Position: Legal AssistantLocation: Halifax, NSDuration: 2 Months Contract + Possible Extension

Job Description

Legal Assistance/Support To Lawyers:

Provides specialized legal assistance for lawyers who provide legal advice/litigation services togovernment departments and various agencies, boards and commissions. Applies knowledge ofvarious types of law such as: family; crown; administrative; property; civil; labour; andcorporate.

Through a comprehensive working knowledge of the specialized procedures that pertain to acertain area of law, the Legal Assistant drafts and prepares documents as instructed and makesrevisions as requested. In the preparation of documents, the Legal Assistant will take intoconsideration all current legislation and regulations, and ensure court procedures, timelines andgovernment policies are followed.

Maintains communication with all parties involved in legal matters including the client, lawyers,and the courts.

Ensures documents assigned by a lawyer are prepared, filed and/or served within prescribed orassigned deadlines.

Queries and retrieves legal case law, precedent materials/documents or other relevantinformation as identified by a lawyer by applying knowledge of legal research databases orspecialized databases.

Schedules and books rooms, court reporters, travel, discoveries, witnesses, interpreters, caseconferences.

Keeps track of assigned files for proper file rotation.

Reminds clients of deadlines and ensures that documents/materials are received withindeadline.

Ensures lawyers are reminded of drafting/filing deadlines.

Maintains file and document management databases.

Secretarial/Administrative Support:

Prepares correspondence, presentations and documents of a legal and non-legal matter asinstructed.

Responds to inquiries from internal and external clients and the public.

Schedules appointments and maintains lawyers calendar.

Books travel and related accommodations when necessary.

Works in a team environment, providing coverage to assistants on their team and other teamsas assigned by the Legal Services Coordinator.

Responding To InquiriesActs as a point of contact to ensure clients have the appropriate information including fileupdates, process or procedural changes, Division updates and other general matters.

Searches for information on issues that may arise.

Responds to inquiries from the public to ensure appropriate and relevant information is provided.

File Management:

Manages files in the Central Registry filing system, electronic shared directory and in thefile/document management databases.

Organize all hard copy and electronic files including filing of documents, data entry and the useof the STAR/STOR classification system.

Ensures that files/filing is up to date and brought forward for review by lawyers as required.