Legal Administrative Coordinator/Law Clerk

About Smith Immigration Law

Smith Immigration Law is a boutique immigration and refugee law firm based in Toronto. We represent clients across all areas of Canadian immigration and refugee law, with a focus on litigation, family sponsorship, and LGBTQ+ immigration.

The Role

We are looking for a Legal Administrative Coordinator/Law Clerk with 1–3 years of experience working in an immigration and refugee law firm to join our growing team. This is a varied role that combines practice administration, client service, and financial and billing responsibilities. For someone interested in developing their legal skills, there will also be opportunities to assist with substantive legal work. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities. Most importantly, we are looking for someone who genuinely cares about providing exceptional service and support to our clients. Strong communication skills, sound judgement, and the ability to work independently are essential. We also value someone who is proactive, collaborative, and comfortable identifying problems and taking initiative to find solutions.

Working at Smith Immigration Law

Our team members have the opportunity to work on a wide range of both litigation and solicitor files. We place a strong emphasis on collaboration, mentorship, and professional development, and we want our staff to continue learning and growing in their roles.

We also believe strongly in flexibility and work-life balance. We offer:

• A flexible hybrid work environment, with most team members coming into the office 1–2 days per week
• A minimum of five weeks’ vacation
• A health spending account
• Opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and substantive legal work
• A supportive and collaborative team environment

Key Responsibilities

Legal Practice Administration

• Oversee the day-to-day administration of the firm’s practice management system, including opening and maintaining client files, obtaining documents for consultations, and responding to general telephone inquiries.
• Support the firm’s billing and financial administration, including preparing and issuing invoices, monitoring accounts, and responding to routine client billing questions.
• Coordinate the firm’s social media presence and assist with preparing and distributing newsletters, announcements, and other firm communications.
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes and help keep the firm’s day-to-day operations organized and running smoothly through advanced use of technology.

Legal & File Support

For a candidate interested in substantive legal work, the role may also include:

• Assist with preparing immigration and refugee applications, forms, correspondence, and supporting documents across a variety of matters, including visitor records, work permits, sponsorship applications, and IRB and Federal Court proceedings.
• Communicate with clients to gather information and documents, provide routine file updates, and help ensure deadlines and next steps are clearly understood.
• Monitor the progress of ongoing applications and maintain accurate and organized client files.
• Assist lawyers with file-management and litigation-support tasks, including obtaining records from former counsel or government departments, preparing ATIP requests, organizing evidence, and compiling application materials.
• Provide general legal and administrative support to lawyers and other members of the team as needed.

Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree or diploma. Education or training as a law clerk, legal assistant, paralegal, or immigration consultant is required.
• A minimum of 1–3 years of experience working in a Canadian immigration law firm.
• Strong technology skills and confidence working with digital tools. Experience with Clio, Microsoft 365, and Adobe Acrobat is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with close attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• A strong commitment to client service and an interest in working with newcomers, refugees, LGBTQ+ communities, and people navigating complex immigration circumstances.

No Agencies or Recruiters Please.