Description

Legal assistants and paralegals prepare legal documents, maintain records and files and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the limitations of their appointment. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Legal assistants and paralegals are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed.

Included Job Titles

commercial law clerk, corporate paralegal, family law paralegal, independent paralegal, land titles examiner, law clerk, legal assistant, legal researcher, litigation legal assistant, notary public, paralegal, real estate law clerk, title searcher, trademark agent.

Job Duties

Legal assistants and paralegals in law firms or in other establishments perform some or all of the following duties:

• Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
• Prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits
• Research records, court files and other legal documents
• Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.

Notaries public perform some or all of the following duties:

• Administer oaths and take affidavits and depositions
• Witness and certify the validity of signatures on documents
• May draft contracts, prepare promissory notes and draw up wills, mortgages and other legal documents
• May arrange probates and administer the estates of deceased persons.

Trademark agents perform some or all of the following duties:

• Advise clients on intellectual property matters and represent clients before the Registrar of Trade-Marks on matters including prosecution of applications for registration of trademarks
• Advise on the registrability of trademarks, trademark licensing requirements, transfer of intellectual property and protection of existing trademark rights
• Represent clients at proceedings before the Trade Marks Opposition Board and in related proceedings
• May represent clients internationally in consultation with foreign associates and attorneys.

Independent paralegals perform some or all of the following duties:

• Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies
• Advise clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.

Related Occupations

Included Cities in this region

Grande Prairie, Athabasca, Barrhead, Beaverlodge, Fairview, Falher, Fox Creek, Grande Cache, Grimshaw, High Level, High Prairie, Manning, Mayerthorpe, Peace River, Sexsmith, Slave Lake, Spirit River, Swan Hills, Valleyview, Wembley, Westlock, Whitecourt

Service Canada Offices

View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.