Legal Assistant I (Litigation)

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity, and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose & Function
The Legal Assistant I will provide a full range of senior legal assistant support for two or more in-house lawyers in the Litigation Practice Group in the Legal Services Department at the City of Vancouver. The incumbent will have current and specialized legal skills and expertise directly related to Civil Litigation as well as knowledge/ability related to other practice areas in this Practice Group.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide senior legal assistant support on a wide range of specialized and often complex legal documents and correspondence concerning civil litigation and by-law prosecutions;
• Assist lawyers with the organization, coordination, and management of legal files from creation to close, which includes:
  • Creating, maintaining, and updating records relating to litigation matters;
  • Establishing, updating, maintaining, and monitoring appropriate bring forward and limitation date systems;
  • Obtaining Court dates or City Council Hearing dates and setting matters for Trial or Hearing;
  • Liaising with others (internal and external) to provide and receive information;
  • Providing administrative support to assigned lawyers.
• Record, track, and report on department statistics relating to the work performed.

Practice area responsibilities include:

General Litigation and/or Enforcement:

• Assists lawyers with litigation files, including matters relating to general/civil litigation, injunctions, business license hearings, and/or coroner’s inquests, including:
  • Preparing, compiling, organizing, processing, reviewing, revising, formatting, completing, and filing a wide variety of court documents;
  • Arranging for service of documents;
  • Preparing evidence books and distributing them;
  • Notifying, subpoenaing, and scheduling witnesses for Trial or Hearing;
  • Creating Lists of Documents;
  • Conducting searches and obtaining and organizing materials for review by lawyer(s).

By-law Prosecution:

• Receives and reviews reports and/or requests from various departments on by-law infractions and charges;
• Prepares Informations from precedent and/or processes, ensuring accuracy and completeness;
• Swears before a Justice of the Peace that Informations are correct;
• Prepares correspondence and legal documentation, and arranges for filing of documents in Court Registry;
• Obtains available trial/court dates, schedules witnesses, and provides information to lawyer(s).

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Completion of Grade 12 plus several years’ recent related experience as a senior Legal Assistant in British Columbia with specialized skills and expertise pertaining to the Litigation Practice Group, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of legal procedures, forms, and terminology relating to the specified practice area(s);
• Ability to prepare, review, and process a variety of legal documents;
• Ability to conduct searches at the Land Title Office and Registrar of Companies Office;
• Ability to electronically file court documents;
• Ability to prioritize matters effectively;
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
• Advanced word processing skills utilizing the full MS Office suite;
• Ability to learn and adapt to new computer systems and technology;
• Ability to work well with minimal supervision and under pressure.

Where operationally appropriate, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program allowing staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from commutable locations. This position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Law Department (1040)

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: April, 2025

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-019: $34.30 to $40.34 per hour

Application Close: March 12, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.