Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant

Toronto, ON  ·  Full-Time

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AND A STRONG FIRM CULTURE

OKT is committed to excellence in the quality of our advocacy, in our relationships with clients, and in the way we work together. We foster a collegial, supportive, and inclusive work environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute, grow, and thrive.

We offer:

• Competitive compensation


• Extended health benefits


• Subsidized gym membership


• Ongoing professional development opportunities

THE ROLE

OKT is seeking a Legal Assistant to provide high-level legal and administrative support to a senior Partner with an Aboriginal and Treaty Rights litigation and negotiation practice. This is a trust-based role that requires practice management experience, executive-level organizational capability, and the ability to manage complex, long-running, multi-jurisdictional files with minimal direction.

The Partner’s practice spans major Aboriginal title claims before provincial courts, Peace and Friendship Treaty litigation and negotiation, Indigenous consultation and regulatory matters, federal environmental assessment proceedings, and significant academic and public engagement. The successful candidate will be a skilled legal professional who is equally comfortable managing a demanding calendar, coordinating multi-party file logistics, and producing polished legal documents in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Litigation Support

• Support the preparation of complex legal documents, including agreements, pleadings, motions, factums, affidavits, records, and correspondence for Aboriginal and Treaty rights litigation and negotiation.


• Manage all court filing deadlines and ensure accurate, timely filing with trial and appellate courts and administrative tribunals across multiple jurisdictions, including Ontario and New Brunswick


• Prepare and organize trial and hearing materials, including exhibit binders, authorities, and counsel materials for complex, multi-week proceedings


• Liaise with court registries, opposing counsel, co-counsel, expert witnesses, and Indigenous community contacts across jurisdictions


• Conduct conflict checks and manage file opening, organization, and closing procedures


• Maintain and organize extensive electronic and physical case files using iManage and related legal databases across long-running, multi-party matters

Executive & Partner Support

• Manage a complex, high-volume calendar including court dates, negotiation sessions, client and community meetings, regulatory hearings, and academic and speaking commitments across multiple time zones


• Draft and edit correspondence, memos, reports, and client communications, including bilingual materials where required


• Screen and triage incoming communications, manage follow-up, and ensure the Partner’s time and attention are directed to the highest-priority matters


• Coordinate logistics for client meetings, community consultations, travel, and multi-party proceedings, including accommodating Indigenous community protocols and remote or northern locations


• Support the Partner’s academic and public engagement work, including lecture coordination, manuscript preparation, and committee and panel administrative support


• Prepare expense reports, coordinate billing, and assist with docketing and file management

Project & File Management

• Oversee the lifecycle of major, long-running litigation and negotiation files from intake through to resolution, including files spanning several years and multiple proceedings


• Track key milestones, court-ordered timelines, negotiation deadlines, and regulatory obligations across active matters; proactively flag risks and manage follow-up with internal and external parties


• Coordinate across co-counsel, expert witnesses, Indigenous community representatives, and Indigenous government parties to ensure consistent communication and timely delivery


• Develop and maintain file management systems, precedent libraries, and workflow tools suited to complex Aboriginal law practice


• Support knowledge management and assist with research coordination for novel or evolving areas of Aboriginal and Treaty rights law

Firm

• Stay current on procedural developments in relevant courts and tribunals, including changes to filing rules and practices in Ontario and New Brunswick


• Contribute positively to team culture and operations; provide backup support to other assistants as needed


• Perform other duties and special projects as required

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 8 years of experience as a legal assistant or an executive assistant in a law firm environment


• Demonstrated experience supporting complex, multi-party, or long-running litigation files


• Familiarity with court procedures across multiple jurisdictions


• Executive-level organizational and calendar management skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines across a demanding and varied practice


• Experience coordinating or managing complex files or projects across multiple parties, timelines, and jurisdictions with minimal supervision


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and iManage or equivalent document management system


• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills


• High attention to detail and ability to produce polished legal documents under time pressure


• Discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment in handling sensitive, privileged, and community-specific information

Preferred

• Experience in Aboriginal law, constitutional law, public law, or treaty/land claims


• Experience working with or in support of Indigenous Nations, communities, governments, or organizations


• Familiarity with federal environmental assessment processes, regulatory proceedings, or consultation frameworks


• Experience supporting academic, public engagement, or policy work


• Completion of a legal assistant, law clerk, paralegal diploma or university degree program

COMPENSATION

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000. Compensation within this range will be determined based on experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN RECRUITMENT

OKT may use artificial intelligence tools to support certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process, such as organizing applications or identifying relevant qualifications. AI is not used to make hiring decisions. All hiring decisions are made by our hiring managers and Human Resources professionals.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

OKT has adopted proactive recruitment strategies aimed at mitigating direct and systemic discrimination. We remain committed to an equitable hiring process that supports a diverse pool of candidates. We are committed to open, honest, and inclusive recruitment practices and provide equal opportunity to all applicants.

OKT supports applicants with disabilities by offering accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process or need assistance to submit your application, please contact [email protected] or 416-981-9330 and ask to be transferred to the VP, People & Marketing.

DEMOGRAPHIC SURVEY

As part of our ongoing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, applicants are invited to complete a short, optional demographic survey. Participation is voluntary. Choosing not to provide information will not affect your application. Information will be kept confidential and used solely to evaluate OKT’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.