Legal Secretary

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The Constitutional Law Branch (CLB) of the Ministry of the Attorney General's Civil Law Division has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and detail-oriented Legal Secretary.

The Constitutional Law Branch handles all of the non-criminal constitutional work for the government of Ontario, working with counsel and staff across the Civil Law Division and Ministry of the Attorney General. Counsel at the branch represent the government at all levels of court and before administrative tribunals in constitutional challenges based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and on federalism/division of powers grounds. We also represent Ontario in significant challenges to legislation and government policies based on the Human Rights Code. As well, we provide advice to government on constitutional issues that arise in Ontario legislation, policies and programs. We are a fast-paced office that values collaboration and diversity, and strives to create an inclusive culture.

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About the job

Providing litigation, secretarial, and clerical support, you will:

• Prepare legal documents, including pleadings, affidavits, application records, factums, and briefs of authorities, according to relevant federal and provincial statutes
• Perform searches for relevant law reports, cases and statutes
• Maintain time docketing, electronic and paper-based files, database and case management systems
• Schedule and bring forward court appearance and meeting dates
• Perform file maintenance, record retention and archiving
• Answer general correspondence and telephone inquiries
• Make travel and meeting arrangements
• Prepare expense accounts
• Act as back-up receptionist when required

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• Typing to 50 words per minute (WPM)

Legal Secretarial and Administrative Experience

You have:
• experience in a litigation environment to provide specialized secretarial, administrative and research services (e.g. review legal articles, references, citations and statutes to be inserted in legal documents) and prepare complex legal documents (e.g. pleadings, factums, notices of motion, compendia, leases, legislation, regulations, orders-in-council, or by transcribing from dicta-phone tapes)
• knowledge of legal office procedures and practices, legal terminology, legal documents, including rules of practice and case management rules
• the ability to acquire and apply knowledge of court processes and procedures

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

You can:
• write in a clear and concise manner to relay information in an easy to understand approach
• deal tactfully with all levels of staff and the public

Organizational and Judgment Skills

You can:
• manage files, set priorities and meet conflicting demands in a high-pressure environment
• make sound judgments, take initiative and work under pressure with minimal supervision

Computer Skills

• You are proficient with software applications (e.g. MS Word, Outlook, Adobe, Case Center) to produce letters, memoranda, reports and legal documents
• You have knowledge of database applications (e.g. legal file management and case management systems) and software to enter, track and update computer case management and time docketing systems and prepare reports

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Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

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How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

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Additional information:

Note:

• About security checks:
  A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
  If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
  Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
• T-AG-247652/26(2)

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How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.