Legal Assistant, Employment & Labour

Dentons is designed to be different. Our Firm leads the way in a rapidly changing legal marketplace. We challenge the status quo and deliver consistent results as well as uncompromising quality and value to our clients. Our global presence is renowned as a firm with over 21,000 individuals in more than 200 offices serving clients across 80+ countries.

Dentons Canada is committed to its people and communities. We are consistently recognized as an employer of choice having received numerous awards including being selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2026); Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2026), and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2026).

This role is an opportunity for you to join Canada's Global Law Firm, a firm that offers opportunities to build your career while growing your skills and deepening your expertise.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Legal Assistant within our Employment | Labour Department requires a unique blend of skills and experience. You must demonstrate strong technical skills and knowledge to accurately and efficiently manage the production demands of the Employment | Labour practice and also possess proven abilities to proactively support the management of the practice, including client relationship management. The position will require a polished, confident and reliable assistant who is able to manage multiple priorities. You are highly organized, discreet and have a client first approach to work. You are professional and possess a high degree of business maturity.

Generally, the hours of work are from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however due to the nature of this role, flexibility is required. Pre-authorized overtime may be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the new business intake and file opening process by collecting relevant client information, performing conflict searches, drafting and circulating engagement letters, and ensuring all necessary documents are completed, returned, and processed in compliance with firm protocols, with minimal supervision.
• Prepare and draft legal documentation (from precedents) such as termination letters, termination packages, employment agreements and amendments, client policies, handbooks, mediation briefs, demand letters, and other related correspondence.
• Assisting lawyers in the preparation and coordination of hearings, pleadings, and filing requirements.
• Assemble and prepare mediation and arbitration briefs, hearing binders, and related materials to support counsel throughout the dispute resolution process.
• Manage communications and correspondence by phone, voicemail, email, and mail.
• Oversee and manage all administrative functions throughout the matter lifecycle, ensuring the effective coordination, transfer, and closure of files in compliance with firm protocols and standards. 
• Review, proofread, and prepare client and other business materials, including client documents, reports, memos, briefings, presentations, forms, and other items ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Arrange for service and filing of documents and related instructions to process servers / agents, and for periodic acceptance of service of documents.
• Prepare and maintain a system for routine file review (bring-forward), diarizing court dates, meetings, and appointments.
• Process incoming and outgoing mail, including maintenance of email accounts.
• Deal with and respond to client inquiries and conducting follow up, as required.
• Manage files and records per the policy of the firm and maintaining precedent systems as may be required.
• Manage calendars, coordinate meetings, send invitations, and reminders.
• Coordinate and arrange travel, including hotel, flight, and transportation reservations.
• Submit business and travel expenses for reimbursement.
• Enter and maintain lawyers’ time entries and coordinate with Accounting Department as required.
• Actively support the Legal Support Team in accordance with the firm’s standards and best practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Post-secondary education in Legal Administration and / or Law Clerk Diploma preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in a legal environment with exposure to Litigation or Employment | Labour law.
• Strong understanding of court procedures and the rules of various tribunals and boards HRTO, OLRB, WSIB, and the Rules of Civil Procedure, Small Claims Court.
• Technical knowledge of key legislation including the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Canada Labour Code, Labour Relations Act, and Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Proficiency with legal software and electronic filing systems related to Labour & Employment, JSO and Ontario Courts Public Portal (OCPP) and Case Centre.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Passion for working in a team environment, willing to help others, and comfortable with sharing work assignments.
• Attention to detail, proofreading and accuracy are required; proven ability to produce a high quality and quantity of work under tight timelines.
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Minimum 60 wpm typing speed.
• Experience transcribing dictation.
• Knowledge of accounting / time entry systems and document management systems (3E, Intapp and iManage).
• Excellent organizational and follow up skills; ability to exercise sound judgment in setting priorities.
• Professional client and telephone manner and a proven track record of managing confidential information with a high level of discretion.
• Able to work independently in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Must have excellent problem solving skills, and the ability to work with little instruction.
• Professionalism demonstrated with colleagues and clients, both in person and by phone.
• Responsive and proactive.

*We thank all applicants who apply, however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

This role is a replacement position.

The target salary range for this position is $75,000 – $85,000, commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications. Dentons is committed to equitable and competitive compensation. This target range falls within our internal salary ranges, which are based on comparable roles in the external market.  We strive to hire, promote, and transfer individuals at the entry point of the range, with consideration given to prior experience, relevant skills, and market conditions.

We recognize that rewarding exceptional talent goes beyond salary. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes inclusive and flexible benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. This includes extended health and mental health benefits, paid time off, retirement savings plans, a fitness subsidy, parental leave top-up, and more.

In addition, our learning and development programs—such as mentorship opportunities, employee networks, and leadership development initiatives—are designed to support personal and professional growth.

At Dentons, all candidate screening, assessment, and hiring decisions are made by people. From time to time, we use AI-enabled tools to assist in enhancing our recruitment process and materials; however, these tools do not screen candidates or make hiring decisions.

Note: Availability of benefits and programs may vary depending on your location and employment type and may be subject to eligibility criteria. Dentons reserves the right to modify or discontinue offerings, in whole or in part, at its discretion and without prior notice.

Equal Opportunity Statement

At Dentons Canada, inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) are not just ancillary values, they are foundational to our business. We believe that IDEA is essential to the shared success of our team and our clients. Our forward-thinking and inclusive culture supports the professional development of all our people, enhances the leading services we offer to our clients, and informs our commitment to make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. As a testament to our commitment to IDEA, we have been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employer’s for 16 consecutive years (2011-2026), as well as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2026) for the ninth time.

Dentons Canada is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome your application. All employment decisions, including hiring, will be made without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, creed, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity, marital status, place of origin, race, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable human rights legislation.

We are committed to providing you with an inclusive, barrier-free, and accessible workplace to support your success. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, for example as a result of a disability, please contact us at careers.canada@dentons.com.