Law Clerk (Family Law and Office Admin)
<strong><p>FAMILY LAW CLERK / OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR</p><p>Full-Time Contract (Maternity Leave Coverage)</p></strong><p><br></p><p> <strong>Location:</strong> Primarily Remote – Niagara Region, Ontario</p><strong><p> </p><p>About Jean S. Beaton, Barrister & Solicitor</p></strong><p>Beaton Law is a boutique law firm with a primary focus on family law, while also providing services in real estate and wills and estates. We pride ourselves on delivering practical, compassionate, and client-focused legal services while embracing technology to provide efficient and responsive representation.</p><p>We are seeking an experienced <strong>Family Law Clerk / Office Administrator</strong> to join our team on a <strong>full-time contract</strong> to provide maternity leave coverage.</p><p>This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organized, self-motivated legal professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and is capable of independently managing a busy legal practice. The successful candidate will work closely with two lawyers and play an integral role in the day-to-day operation of the firm.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Work Arrangement</strong></p><p>This position is <strong>primarily remote</strong>; however, applicants <strong>must reside within the Niagara Region</strong> and be available to attend in-person responsibilities in <strong>St. Catharines</strong> as required.</p><p>Occasional in-person responsibilities include, but are not limited to:</p><ul><li>Meeting with clients;</li><li>Retrieving and processing office mail;</li><li>Attending the bank for trust deposits or other banking transactions;</li><li>Delivering or retrieving documents from the courthouse, opposing counsel, or third parties;</li><li>Attending the office for administrative or client-related matters; and</li><li>Other errands reasonably required to support the operation of the practice.</li></ul><p>Applicants must possess a <strong>valid Ontario driver's licence</strong>, have access to a <strong>reliable vehicle</strong>, and be able to travel within the Niagara Region as required.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Position Overview</strong></p><p>The successful candidate will be responsible for managing family law files from intake through completion while also overseeing the administrative functions of a busy virtual law practice.</p><p>This role requires exceptional organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate must be capable of working independently, exercising sound judgment, anticipating the needs of the lawyers, and ensuring that all files progress efficiently and in compliance with court deadlines.</p><p><br></p><strong><p>Key Responsibilities</p><p>Family Law</p></strong><ul><li>Draft, prepare, revise, and file family court documents, including:</li><li>Applications</li><li>Answers</li><li>Replies</li><li>Financial Statements</li><li>Affidavits</li><li>Motions</li><li>Case Conference Briefs</li><li>Settlement Conference Briefs</li><li>Trial Management Conference Briefs</li><li>Trial Records</li><li>Divorce Applications</li><li>Consent Orders</li><li>Continuing Records</li><li>Financial Disclosure Briefs</li><li>All related Family Law Rules forms</li><li>Prepare and organize financial disclosure.</li><li>Draft routine legal correspondence.</li><li>Prepare court filing packages.</li><li>File documents electronically through the Ontario court filing portal.</li><li>Upload, organize, and maintain materials in Case Center.</li><li>Prepare and manage Continuing Records.</li><li>Organize briefs and supporting materials for court.</li><li>Maintain file organization from opening through completion.</li><li>Monitor disclosure obligations and procedural requirements.</li><li>Ensure compliance with the Family Law Rules, court orders, and local practice directions.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Practice Administration</strong></p><ul><li>Manage calendars, court dates, deadlines, appointments, and reminders for two busy lawyers.</li><li>Prioritize and triage incoming work based on urgency and applicable court deadlines.</li><li>Open, organize, and close client files.</li><li>Schedule client meetings, mediations, court appearances, and consultations.</li><li>Communicate professionally with clients, opposing counsel, court staff, and third parties.</li><li>Prepare client correspondence and engagement documentation.</li><li>Maintain electronic filing systems and document management.</li><li>Assist with billing and file administration through Cosmolex.</li><li>Coordinate client intake and retainer administration.</li><li>Assist with general office administration and workflow management.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Required Qualifications</strong></p><p>The successful candidate must possess:</p><ul><li>Significant experience working in <strong>Ontario family law</strong>.</li><li>Thorough knowledge of the <strong>Family Law Rules</strong>, Ontario court procedures, and applicable filing requirements.</li><li>Experience independently preparing family law pleadings and court materials with minimal supervision.</li><li>Experience managing family law files from commencement through resolution.</li><li>Strong understanding of court deadlines, limitation periods, disclosure obligations, and procedural timelines.</li><li>Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.</li><li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills.</li><li>Strong legal drafting and proofreading abilities.</li><li>Excellent attention to detail.</li><li>Professionalism, discretion, and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.</li><li>The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Technical Skills</strong></p><p>The successful candidate must be proficient with:</p><ul><li>DivorceMate</li><li>Cosmolex</li><li>Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel)</li><li>Adobe Acrobat Pro</li><li>Zoom</li><li>iCloud and cloud-based document management</li><li>Case Center (formerly CaseLines)</li><li>Ontario Family Submissions Online</li><li>Electronic document preparation and PDF management</li><li>Electronic signatures and digital file management</li></ul><p>The ability to quickly learn new software and adapt to evolving technology is essential.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Assets</strong></p><p>Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset, but is not required:</p><ul><li>Wills and Estates</li><li>Estate Administration</li><li>Residential Real Estate</li><li>Trust accounting or legal bookkeeping</li><li>Law office management</li><li>Experience using AI tools responsibly to improve workflow efficiency</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>What We're Looking For</strong></p><p>The successful candidate will be:</p><ul><li>Highly organized and detail-oriented.</li><li>Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.</li><li>Capable of managing multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced practice.</li><li>Comfortable making independent decisions and exercising sound judgment.</li><li>Proactive in identifying issues before they become problems.</li><li>Compassionate, patient, and professional when working with clients experiencing difficult family situations.</li><li>Reliable, dependable, and accountable.</li><li>A team player with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic.</li><li>Committed to providing exceptional client service.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>This is <strong>not an entry-level position</strong>. We are seeking an experienced legal professional who can confidently step into an established practice, manage a demanding workload, and become an integral member of our team.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Compensation</strong></p><p>Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>How to Apply</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Qualified applicants are invited to submit:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>A cover letter outlining their relevant experience;</li><li>A current résumé; and</li><li>Three professional references.</li><li>PLEASE EMAIL JEAN@BEATONLAW.CA. </li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.</p><p><br></p>