Associate Family Lawyer (5 + years experience)
Position Summary:
Bruyer & Mackay LLP is Alberta’s leading family law practice. We are hiring a full-time, family lawyer (5+ years experience).
We provide exceptional legal services in a boutique (17-lawyer) firm based in Edmonton, Alberta. We serve clients across the province. As part of our team, you will largely work in our Edmonton office, with work from home opportunities.
We offer an inclusive, supportive and enriching workplace with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
You will be responsible for building and maintaining a family law practice. Experience in providing legal advice and representation to clients on all family law related matters is required. Litigation experience, as well as mediation and arbitration experience, are necessary for this role.
You will report to a Partner and be responsible for overseeing a Legal Assistant who will provide you with day-to-day support in your practice. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
We offer a competitive compensation package including benefits package, heated underground parking, and an educational allowance.
Apply by sending a cover letter and CV (as a single PDF) to hello@bruyermackay.ca, and please use “Family Lawyer Application” as the subject line.
Job Description:
Responsibilities - Family Law Practice:
- Overseeing all aspects of family law files from intake to resolution or adjudication.
- Attending questioning (for discovery and on affidavit), chambers, trials, appeals and other court proceedings as required.
- Attending and facilitating alternative dispute resolution processes including settlement meetings, mediations, case conferences, other forms of negotiation and arbitrations as required.
- Drafting various court and legal documents related to conferences, motions, trials, appeals, mediations and/or arbitrations, and domestic agreements.
- Maintaining accurate records of client files (both physical and electronic) and billable hours.
- Responsible for conducting consultations with clients.
- Reviewing and assessing all assets and liabilities for settlement and/or litigation.
- Reviewing expenses and income for use in settlement and/or litigation.
- Responsible for drafting settlement proposals and negotiating settlement.
- Responsible for real estate conveyancing as required.
- Demonstrating the ability to manage and support clients who are the subject of parenting disputes, domestic violence and other forms of abuse and providing guidance and/or litigating Emergency Protection Orders and Restraining Orders as required.
- Communicating professionally in all oral and written correspondence with clients, other legal counsel and the court.
- Conducting legal research and preparing legal documents, including pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
- Attending court hearings and mediations as required.
- Negotiating and drafting settlements and agreements on behalf of clients.
- Collaborating with colleagues at the firm and providing support and assistance on other files in the firm as needed.
- Building practice and bringing in more clients to the firm by networking and building and maintaining relationships with clients and other professionals in the legal community.
Responsibilities - Employee Leadership:
- Ensuring a new and/or existing Legal Assistant has sufficient training and resources to provide professional and competent service delivery.
- Managing employee relation issues, in collaboration with a Partner, as it relates to their Legal Assistant in accordance with accepted HR practices and policies including performance.
- Participating in the performance review process and managing employee conduct in the workplace through coaching and mentoring, discipline, dismissal, etc. of staff.
- Ensuring the implementation of HR best practices to maximize employee engagement.
- Maintaining a positive employee relations environment and building strong relationships and rapport with all employees.
- Promoting inclusivity, respect and diversity through Bruyer & Mackay LLP initiatives, programs and processes that align with best practices.
Qualifications and Education Requirements:
- Degree from a recognized post-secondary Bachelor of Laws (JD or LLB), ideally with a minimum of 5+ years of experience as a Family Lawyer.
- License to practice law in Alberta (required) and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta.
- Collaboration and mediation experience or certification is an asset.
- Thorough knowledge of the Alberta Rules of Court, particularly the Family Law Rules, and all Family Law Practice Notes, court rules and forms.
- Thorough knowledge of family case law and legislation (acts and their regulations) including but not limited to, the Divorce Act; the Family Law Act; the Family Property Act, Laws of Property Act and Matrimonial Family Property Act; Protection Against Family Violence Act; Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act; Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act; Adult Interdependent Relationships Act; and International Child Abduction Act.
- Strong legal research, and drafting skills, coupled with excellent organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability.
- Demonstrate ability to be flexible and responsive in dealing with situations of employees and clients.
- The ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently and produce high quality results and complete all work in a timely manner.
- Effective analytical, problem-solving and ability to make responsible decisions in accordance with prescribed policies and procedures.
- Ability to foster and maintain trusting and dependable working relationships.
- Ability to take initiative and work independently on individual assigned tasks, as well as ability to work in a team environment.
- Demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to work quickly while maintaining a high degree of quality and accuracy.
- Thorough knowledge of and familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), LEAP, Childview and/or DivorceMate, and Adobe Acrobat.