Position Overview
NOVA Injury Law is seeking an Associate Lawyer – Litigation to work on complex, high-stakes personal injury cases across Atlantic Canada. This is a full-time, salary-based position for someone who wants to do substantive litigation work without pressure of billing targets and business development requirements.
You’ll work in close collaboration with Jeff Mitchell on complex cases. You drive execution, own file management decisions, and make case decisions as your comfort with the work builds. Jeff is there on strategy, backs your judgment, and takes the lead on the big-picture business calls.
About the Role
You will manage litigation files across their lifecycle from intake through resolution, including:
- Preparing pleadings, motions, discovery materials, and settlement documentation
- Conducting witness interviews, expert coordination, and discovery management
- Managing mediation and settlement negotiations with clients and opposing counsel
- Liaising with clients on strategy, status, and settlement decisions
- Developing expertise in emerging practice areas (e.g., wrongful termination, complex LTD claims)
- Attending trial with Jeff Mitchell or other lawyers at the firm
Case types: Motor vehicle accidents, occupiers’ liability, catastrophic injury claims, LTD disputes, complex multi-party litigation, and other case types based on the firm’s business direction.
The working relationship: You’ll work directly with Jeff Mitchell (firm principal) on case strategy and execution. You’ll propose approaches, and you will discuss and refine them with Jeff. You’ll have real autonomy on file management, discovery strategy, and settlement positioning, with mentoring and coaching as you develop expertise.
What We’re Looking For
Required:
- 2+ years call in a Canadian province
- Litigation experience (plaintiff or defense background both acceptable)
- Strong file management and organizational skills
- Comfort with client-facing work and negotiations
- Pragmatic mindset: you can live with reasonable risk and move files toward resolution without getting stuck on perfect outcomes
- Openness to using AI and other efficiency-generating tools to manage files and streamline work
Preferred:
- Experience in personal injury, occupiers’ liability, or civil litigation
- Track record of managing discovery and motion practice
- Experience working in a small firm or close with a principal
Why This Role Is Different
- Work on complex cases. Not dog-work or routine files. You’ll handle high-stakes, multi-party, factually and legally complex cases.
- You drive the work. You’re not a junior associate taking direction. You execute at a high level on files, make tactical calls, and move things forward with strategic backing from Jeff. You’re the operator, not the supporting role.
- Stable salary. Not commission-based, not dependent on client origination, not contingent on firm performance swings. You know what you’re earning.
- No business development. You work the cases that come in. No client origination, no business development targets. Focus on doing great work, not chasing clients.
The Ask
We’re looking for someone who:
- Doesn’t want to be a solo practitioner or pressure of file generation
- Wants to do sophisticated litigation work with substantive cases
- Values stability and autonomy
- Can push back on strategy when they disagree, but ultimately execute the plan
- Is passionate about advancing the interests of injury victims and disabled workers
You might be coming from:
- A larger firm where you’re burned out by billable hours or partnership politics
- Insurance defense where you want to pivot to plaintiff work
- A lateral move that didn’t work out
- Solo/contract work where you want stability and a working relationship
Details
Location: Bedford, Nova Scotia (in-office)
Status: Full-time, permanent
Compensation: Competitive salary commensurate with experience (details discussed in interview)
How to Apply:
Submit your résumé, a cover letter (1 page, tell us why this role appeals to you), and references to: jeff@novainjurylaw.com. All information and communication is confidential.
Job Deadline/Expiry Date: 10/31/2026