Bilingual Legal Assistant (Litigation)

McCarthy Tétrault LLP • Montreal, QC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

McCarthy Tétrault is a Canadian law firm seeking a Bilingual Legal Assistant, Litigation to join their Montréal office. The role involves supporting lawyers with document preparation, calendar management, and client support. The firm emphasizes professional excellence, collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurialism, and has been recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers. This position requires a high level of English proficiency (reading comprehension and writing, beginner oral communication) as over 60% of the work is performed in English. The candidate will interact with clients and third parties who only speak English and colleagues across Canada where English is predominant.

Requirements

• 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 minimal supervision.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Flexibility to occasionally work overtime.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with conflicts checks and dealing with highly confidential matters.

Responsibilities

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

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits from day one, including insurance premiums paid by the Firm and wellness and technology reimbursements.
• Comprehensive wellbeing support, including access to Dialogue for confidential mental health support, virtual healthcare assistance, and proactive wellness resources for you.
• Competitive compensation, paid overtime and generous time off, including a day off to volunteer and a day off for your birthday.
• Commitment to learning and growth, with ongoing professional development opportunities for people at all levels.
• Strong community involvement and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• A supportive, collaborative culture that values contribution, accountability and shared success across legal and business teams.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree