NOVA SCOTIA LEGAL AID COMMISSION

LEGAL ASSISTANT

 

Available Position: 1-year Term Contract with potential for permanency
Location: Mental Health Legal Services, Dartmouth Criminal – 300-99 Wyse Road
Salary: TE 13-1 to TE 19-5 ($43,832.95 to $63,614.67)
Closing Date:  February 24, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Who we are:
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers quality legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are systematically disadvantaged. NSLAC’s focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.

NSLAC employs staff in 25 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province. Our staff are comprised of Staff Lawyers, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Court Support Workers, Social Workers, a Social Justice Support Worker, and a Prison Law Support Worker. Our staff help thousands of clients every year. We are committed to helping overcome historical and ongoing barriers to access to justice and our Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens and communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented and equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous Peoples, African Nova Scotians and other racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and women in underrepresented roles. If you are a member of one or more of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your electronic application, cover letter, or resume.

Primary Functions:
Reporting to the Mental Health Legal Services Managing Lawyer and working under the direction of Staff Lawyers, the Legal Assistant ensures the delivery of efficient and professional service to our clients. This role provides comprehensive administrative support in Involuntary Psychiatric and Criminal Code Review Board matters, as well as criminal law matters. An understanding of and commitment to client service is imperative. The Legal Assistant is expected to maintain a broad range of knowledge relating to the functions, activities, policies, and practices of the NSLAC.

Ideal Attributes and Skills:

• Effectively manage the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act (IPTA) scheduling process.
• Manage, organize, and co-ordinate Lawyers’ Practice(s).
• Type letters with accuracy and save all correspondence electronically.
• Ensure the coordination and oversight of all legal administrative related duties.
• Oversee Certificate administration.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Ability to work with clients who have complex needs and work independently in a fast-paced environment, as well as part of a team.
• Compliance with NSLAC’s policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals from a range of backgrounds and lived experiences, including those navigating mental health and justice-related challenges.
• Experience and proficiency with computer software including legal research and Microsoft 365 applications and comfort working in a predominantly paper-free environment.
• All other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal or equivalent training and related relevant experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with criminal court practices, procedures and systems would be an asset.

If you are talented, conscientious and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.

Please indicate Position Title and Location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the email subject line. Please send your resume and cover letter to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca.

While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications will be held in strict confidence.