Conrad Dillon Robinson Law is seeking an experienced Case Manager – Trial & Appeals to work exclusively with the firm owner in the management and preparation of complex family law trials and appeals.
This is not a traditional legal assistant position. We are looking for someone with significant experience in a law firm environment who understands how litigation files need to move, knows what needs to happen next, and is comfortable taking responsibility for keeping lawyers, clients, assignments, evidence and deadlines organized.
The Case Manager will work directly and exclusively with the firm owner, coordinating with other lawyers and support staff involved in the files as required.
The Role
The Case Manager will have primary responsibility for helping project manage the trial and appeal files handled by the firm owner.
You will act as the central point of coordination between the firm owner, other lawyers working on the files, clients and support staff. Your role will be to ensure files continue moving forward, work is appropriately delegated, deadlines are identified and met, and the file is organized and ready when it matters.
Responsibilities will include:
- Project managing complex family law files as they progress toward trial or appeal;
- Monitoring court deadlines, filing requirements and other important dates;
- Maintaining a clear understanding of the status of each assigned file and identifying what needs to happen next;
- Coordinating assignments from the firm owner to junior and senior lawyers working on the files;
- Following up to ensure assigned work is completed properly and on time;
- Liaising with clients regarding documentation, information, scheduling and file preparation;
- Organizing pleadings, disclosure, exhibits, correspondence, expert materials and other evidence;
- Assisting with the preparation of trial briefs, exhibit books, authorities, chronologies and other hearing materials;
- Assisting with appeal preparation and appeal materials where required;
- Drafting correspondence, court documents, affidavits, draft orders and other litigation materials;
- Reviewing files for completeness and identifying outstanding information or work;
- Helping ensure the firm owner has the information, work product and materials required to prepare for trials and appeals; and
- Maintaining exceptionally organized electronic files.
The position is primarily office-based and focused on preparation, organization and coordination, rather than regular attendance at court.
Who We Are Looking For
The successful candidate will have at least five years of combined experience working as a legal assistant and/or paralegal, with meaningful experience performing both types of work.
Direct experience in Nova Scotia family law is strongly preferred. We would also consider an exceptional candidate with significant Nova Scotia litigation experience and a strong working knowledge of the processes and procedures of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court (Family Division).
Experience with the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and appellate procedure would be an asset, but is not required.
The ideal candidate will:
- Have a deep understanding of court procedure, litigation deadlines and file management;
- Be exceptionally organized and able to manage multiple complex files simultaneously;
- Be comfortable taking ownership of projects and ensuring they continue moving forward;
- Work independently and exercise good judgment about priorities;
- Be confident communicating with the firm owner, other lawyers and clients;
- Be effective at coordinating and following up on work delegated to other members of the legal team;
- Have strong drafting and written communication skills;
- Have excellent attention to detail;
- Be comfortable identifying problems, missing information and approaching deadlines before they become issues;
- Be highly proficient with computers and the Microsoft Office environment; and
- Be comfortable learning and adopting new technology and systems.
This position will be particularly well suited to an experienced legal assistant or paralegal who enjoys complex litigation, wants greater responsibility for the management of files, and takes satisfaction from making sure a lawyer and the broader legal team are exceptionally well prepared.
Compensation & Benefits
The position offers:
- Starting salary of $65,000;
- A comprehensive bonus program;
- Three weeks of vacation;
- A matching RRSP program;
- Comprehensive benefits;
- Access to a fitness membership;
- Cell phone;
- Laptop; and
- Healthy snacks at the office.
This is a full-time, in-person position at our office, generally from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We understand that people have lives outside of work and provide reasonable flexibility for appointments and other personal commitments.
Why This Role Is Different
Our trial and appeal files can involve significant volumes of evidence, multiple lawyers, experts, complicated procedural requirements and demanding deadlines.
Strong advocacy depends on strong preparation.
The Case Manager will play a direct role in making that happen.
You will work exclusively with the firm owner and become the central organizational point for their trial and appeal files. You will not simply be assigned individual administrative tasks. You will be expected to understand the files you are working on, know where they stand, anticipate what needs to happen next, coordinate work with the other lawyers involved, and ensure everything required for trial or appeal is moving forward.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to take on a significant role in the management and preparation of complex litigation and to work closely with the firm owner on some of the firm’s most demanding files.
If this role aligns with what you are looking for in your next opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume to our Office Manager, Emily Colley, at emily.colley@cdrlaw.ca.
We thank all applicants for their interest and look forward to hearing from you.