Legal Assistant, Real Property Law

ABOUT US

Almost 1.2 million residents call York Region home making it one of the largest regions in Canada and the fastest growing with a population thats expected to grow to more than 2 million by 2041. Our geography which is comprised of about 1800 square kilometers over nine different municipalities is as beautiful interesting and diverse as our government is organized in a two-tier structure and we work together with our local municipalities to provide residents and businesses access to a broad selection of services and resources.

WHAT WE OFFER

Consistently named one of Canadas Best Employers by Forbes we offer a collaborative progressive workplace that takes pride in our organizational culture and is committed to living The 13 Factors of Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace aligned with our vision to create strong caring and safe communities both within and outside our walls.

• Defined Benefit Pension Program - With the Ontario Municipality Employees Retirement System (OMERS) defined benefit pension plan you can confidently retire knowing that you will have income for life. Eligibility from date of hire as a full-time employee and includes employer-matched contributions.
• Employer of Choice - Recognized as the highest-ranking government employer in Canada and fourth overall among 300 organizations.
• Benefits and Wellness - Employees and their loved ones have access to a comprehensive employer-paid benefits plan that includes extended health dental and life insurance access to a 24/7 Employee and Family Assistance Programand corporate discounts and purchase plans for day-to-day products and services.
• Inclusive and Diverse Workforce - Were committed to fostering an environment that celebrates all dimensions of diversity and ensures everyone can develop to their full potential participate freely in society and live with respect dignity and freedom from discrimination. Our robust Inclusion Diversity Equity and Accessibility program continues to grow and has been recognized by the United Nations and many other organizations for our leadership.

ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to Senior Counsel provides confidential legal and administrative support including drafting and reviewing correspondence and legal documents with an emphasis on real estate and expropriations as well as administration and management of legal practice.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Requires experience working in a real estate environment and familiarity with real estate terms principles practices and legal documentation preferably within a municipality or other public sector organization. This includes preparing and processing various legal and real estate documents negotiated and expropriated property transactions understanding legal terminology forms practices and procedures associated with conveyancing the ability to conduct complex title searches and read and understand title including the ability to understand complex legal descriptions
• Assists with reviewing real estate agreements including acquisitions dispositions and leases in accordance with approved real estate policies practices and procedures.
• Reviewing and interpreting engineering and survey drawings conducting reviewing and interpreting title searches
• Supporting counsel in processing and finalizing real estate transactions including administering and processing legal documents and ensures security insurance requirements and authorization are met to protect the legal and financial interests of the Region
• Preparing and signing routine correspondence
• Familiarity with Land Registry Office processes
• Maintaining project and other checklists
• Assist in updating templates
• Preparing and processing a variety of legal documents and notices including transfers easements releases affidavits declarations expropriation notices licences leases release of easements and other similar documents
• Processing and closing out including reporting closed transactions
• Accurately inputting retrieving updating and maintaining document management systems
• Experience with expropriations is beneficial
• Requires drafting skills
• Requires experience in contacting and dealing directly with a high level of discretion and tact internal stakeholders private and public sector representatives- including the Land Registry Office and lawyers to assist in progressing and finalizing real estate transactions
• Managing a high volume of emails and providing administrative support for counsel maintains filing systems precedents and updates records and lists to ensure accuracy; files correspondence reports and other documents in accordance with Regional standards and assists with records management
• Requires extensive familiarity with Teraview and associated resources Excel Word and familiarity with document management systems
  

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Successful completion of a post secondary education in a Legal Assistant Program or equivalent approved combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years legal administrative experience in a private or public law practice with an emphasis in Real Estate Law.
• Thorough knowledge of the preparation of various legal documents contracts agreements records and file systems and clerical administrative practices.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability in corporate core competencies including customer service communication teamwork initiative/self management and accountability and flexibility/adaptability.
• Computer literacy utilizing MS Office software applications and Quicklaw and Teraview.
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve problems.
• Organizational skills and ability to assess priorities work independently to meet required deadlines with conflicting demands and changing priorities.