Toews & Company is a busy and growing law firm in beautiful Squamish, British Columbia. We offer a collegial and flexible work environment, with a team-based approach to file management combined with the autonomy to develop your own practice. We are always interested in hearing from smart and dedicated lawyers, legal assistants and paralegals who share our passion for helping people.
We’re hiring!
We are currently looking for a junior to mid-level associate, a legal assistant/office manager, and a paralegal to join our current team of two lawyers, one paralegal, and four legal assistants. Join us in the outdoor capital of Canada and have the work-life balance to enjoy it!
Litigation / Family Associate
We are looking for an associate who wants to build a practice helping people and making a positive contribution to our community; someone who is smart, confident, curious about the law and committed to excellence in advocacy. Ideally, you will have experience drafting separation agreements, drafting pleadings, and arguing contested court applications.
Qualifications
- Experience in a litigation or family law environment required (minimum of 2 years post-call)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills, compassion and tact
Our ideal candidate is a self-starter, and is able to manage competing priorities and work well under pressure. They take responsibility for their work, are eager to learn, and see themselves as a key part of the team working towards a successful outcome for our clients. We can offer a flexible work environment, mentorship, and the autonomy to build a practice that interests you and to grow with the firm. Toews & Company prides itself on excellence, compassion and fairness in our family law practice, and we are looking for candidates who share these same values.
Legal Assistant / Office Manager
We are looking for a part-time legal assistant with previous law firm experience. The position has the potential to increase to full-time in the future. Areas of law may include corporate, wills & estates, and family law.
Key Responsibilities
- Working with clients to gather information;
- Assisting lawyers to prepare for client meetings;
- Conducting searches, such as corporate, land title and personal property registry;
- Communicating professionally with clients, other law firms and the court registries;
- Handling administrative details with respect to maintaining contacts, e-filing, client lists, opening and closing files;
- Bookkeeping, invoicing, accounting;
- Calendar management, including arranging client meetings, tracking file deadlines and scheduling court appearances;
- Assisting both litigation and solicitor practices;
- Answering phone calls and emails, and scheduling appointments and meetings.
Required Qualifications
- Previous law firm experience;
- A Legal Assistant or Paralegal certificate or diploma;
- Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office, Adobe, BC Online and my LTSA;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Great attention to detail;
- Ability to be flexible to the changing demands of the job; and
- Ability to work independently on tasks and in a team-oriented setting.
Toews & Company can offer a flexible work environment, mentorship, the ability to grow your experience in different areas of law, and a competitive salary and benefits package.
Paralegal (Wills & Estates)
We are looking for a part-time paralegal or legal assistant with 3+ years’ experience. The position has the potential to increase to full-time if the candidate would like to grow into other areas of law.
Key Responsibilities
- Preparing new estate files, certificates of appointment, inventory, and distribution of estates assets;
- Preparing probate and estate administration documents;
- Working with clients to gather information and assisting with client meetings;
- Liaising with various external bodies including beneficiaries, financial institutions, the Public Guardian and Trustee’s office;
- Drafting wills, POAs, RA’s and other estate and incapacity planning documents;
- Conducting searches, such as corporate, land title and personal property;
- Handling administrative and procedural details with respect to maintaining contacts, e-filing, client list, accounting, opening and closing files and billing;
- Handling all clients with professionalism and in a courteous manner;
- Keeping files moving forward with minimum direction from lawyer; and
- Preparing routine letters and preparation of notarial files as required.
Required Qualifications
- At least 3 years’ experience in a legal environment with estates experience;
- A Legal Assistant or Paralegal certificate or diploma;
- Strong knowledge and understanding of wills & estates procedures;
- In-depth knowledge of the technical nature and legal aspects of the different types of estate administration documentation and procedures;
- Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office, Adobe, BC Online and my LTSA;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Great attention to detail; and
- Ability to work independently on tasks and in a team-oriented setting.
Toews & Company can offer a flexible work environment, mentorship, the ability to grow your experience in different areas of law, and a competitive salary and benefits package.
To apply for a position, please email your resume and cover letter (and for lawyers or articling students, your undergraduate and law school transcripts) to Linnea Murphy at lmurphy@toewsco.net