Director of Legal Research

Location: Toronto

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Experience Required: 5+ years of relevant legal experience

Organization: Confidential

Position Overview

A highly regarded Toronto litigation boutique is seeking a Director of Legal Research to lead its legal research, writing and publication activities.

This senior position is well suited to a lawyer with exceptional research, analytical and writing abilities who enjoys developing sophisticated legal arguments, supporting complex litigation and producing authoritative legal publications.

The successful candidate will work closely with partners and lawyers across the firm, with a particular focus on construction law, commercial disputes, liens, trusts, adjudication and related matters.

Responsibilities

Legal Research and Litigation Support

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  Conduct comprehensive research on complex legal and procedural issues

  
  


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  Research construction law, construction liens, trusts, adjudication, procurement, arbitration and related commercial matters

  
  


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  Prepare detailed legal opinions and research memoranda

  
  


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  Assist in developing legal arguments and litigation strategies

  
  


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  Draft facta and other written court submissions

  
  


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  Review, edit and proofread:

  
  
  
  
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    Pleadings

    
    
  
  
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    Facta and legal briefs

    
    
  
  
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    Witness statements and affidavits

    
    
  
  
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    Motion and application materials

    
    
  
  
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    Court and tribunal submissions

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Provide quality control for important written work produced across the firm

  
  


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  Monitor significant legislative and case-law developments

  
  

Publications and Thought Leadership

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  Research, draft and update leading construction-law texts and annotated legislation

  
  


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  Coordinate annual publication updates and periodic new editions

  
  


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  Draft articles and papers for legal journals and industry publications

  
  


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  Assist partners with conference papers and professional presentations

  
  


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  Co-edit the firm’s newsletter

  
  


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  Translate complicated legal developments into practical, accessible written materials

  
  


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  Manage multiple publication schedules and editorial deadlines

  
  

Teaching and Professional Development

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  Prepare materials for university law courses taught by firm partners

  
  


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  Assist with reviewing and grading student papers

  
  


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  Develop internal research and writing resources

  
  


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  Provide guidance to lawyers and students on legal research and written advocacy

  
  


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  Support the firm’s continuing legal education and professional-development initiatives

  
  

Conferences

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  Research legal and industry developments for conference presentations

  
  


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  Prepare presentation materials for lawyers

  
  


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  Draft conference papers, speaking notes and supporting materials

  
  


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  Assist partners in developing programs for legal and construction-industry audiences

  
  

Qualifications

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  Law degree from a recognized institution

  
  


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  Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, or eligibility to become licensed in Ontario

  
  


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  At least five years of relevant legal experience

  
  


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  Exceptional legal research, analytical and writing abilities

  
  


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  Experience preparing legal opinions, research memoranda, facta or other sophisticated written submissions

  
  


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  Strong editing, proofreading and citation skills

  
  


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  Ability to analyze legislation and case law and explain their practical implications

  
  


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  Excellent judgment, accuracy and attention to detail

  
  


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  Ability to manage immediate file requests alongside long-term publication projects

  
  


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  Comfortable collaborating with multiple partners and lawyers

  
  


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  Able to work independently and take ownership of substantial research and publication responsibilities

  
  

Preferred Background

Experience in one or more of the following would be particularly valuable:

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  Construction law

  
  


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  Commercial litigation

  
  


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  Appellate advocacy

  
  


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  Administrative law

  
  


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  Arbitration and alternative dispute resolution

  
  


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  Construction liens, trusts and adjudication

  
  


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  Legal publishing or annotated legislation

  
  


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  Teaching, professional development or conference preparation

  
  


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  Judicial clerkship or court-based legal research

  
  

Direct construction-law experience is an asset, but candidates with outstanding research and writing credentials in other sophisticated litigation areas will also be considered.

The Opportunity

This is an unusual opportunity for a research-oriented lawyer to take on a central intellectual and editorial role within a highly regarded firm. The successful candidate will contribute directly to complex legal matters, significant legal publications, university teaching and the continued development of Canadian construction law.