Junior Associate Lawyer
Martel Law Office – Ottawa, Ontario
ABOUT MARTEL LAW OFFICE
Martel Law Office is seeking a motivated, ambitious, and detail-oriented Junior Associate Lawyer to join our growing legal team.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a newly called lawyer or a lawyer with one (1) to three (3) years of relevant experience who wishes to build a rewarding litigation and solicitor's practice under the direct mentorship of a lawyer with more than twenty (20) years of experience.
At Martel Law Office, we believe outstanding lawyers are developed through mentorship, meaningful responsibility, and practical courtroom experience. From your first day, you will work directly with senior counsel, participate in client meetings, prepare court materials, negotiate settlements, and appear before courts and administrative tribunals. As your experience grows, you will progressively assume greater responsibility and develop your own practice. Our philosophy is simple: junior lawyers learn by doing.
Our practice includes:
- Family Law
- Estate Litigation
- Wills and Estates
- Immigration Law
- Powers of Attorney
- Guardianship Applications
- Mental Health Law (Consent and Capacity Board)
- Employment Law
- Landlord and Tenant Law (Commercial and Residential)
- Criminal Law (a growing area of practice)
Although our office is not presently accepting Legal Aid certificates, the successful candidate may have the opportunity to develop a Legal Aid practice, particularly in the areas of Mental Health Law and Criminal Law. Our office is conveniently located directly across from The Ottawa Hospital – Montfort Campus, including one of the region's principal psychiatric facilities, creating unique opportunities to establish a practice before the Consent and Capacity Board and related tribunals.
Technology is an integral part of our practice. Martel Law Office utilizes Cosmolex as its cloud-based legal practice management platform for file management, calendaring, trust accounting, billing, document management, and client communication. We also actively incorporate modern AI-assisted legal tools—including Alexi AI, ChatGPT, Claude, and other emerging technologies—to enhance legal research, drafting, and efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of professional judgment and ethical legal practice.
As Martel Law Office continues to grow and transition into a Professional Corporation, this position offers exceptional mentorship, meaningful courtroom experience, and genuine long-term opportunities for advancement. For the right candidate who demonstrates professionalism, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit, there is a realistic pathway toward leadership and future partnership within the firm.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The ideal candidate:
- Is intellectually curious and enjoys solving challenging legal problems.
- Demonstrates excellent analytical, research, and drafting skills.
- Communicates professionally and effectively with clients, opposing counsel, judges, and court staff.
- Maintains the highest ethical and professional standards.
- Is organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
- Thrives in a collaborative environment and values mentorship and constructive feedback.
- Possesses a strong work ethic and understands that successful litigation occasionally requires flexibility and a willingness to devote additional time to meet important court deadlines and client needs while appreciating the importance of maintaining a sustainable and rewarding professional career.
- Is motivated to build a long-term career and contribute to the continued growth of the firm.
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LL.B. from an accredited law school.
- Fluency in English (spoken and written) is mandatory, fluency in French is an asset. Membership in the LSO is mandatory and the Quebec Bar is an asset.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting legal research using CanLII and other legal research resources.
- Reviewing legislation, regulations, and relevant jurisprudence.
- Preparing pleadings, affidavits, motion materials, conference briefs, factums, and other court documents.
- Drafting wills, powers of attorney, guardianship applications, estate planning documents, and related solicitor's work.
- Assisting with family law, estate litigation, landlord and tenant, employment law, criminal law, and mental health law files.
- Preparing professional correspondence to clients, opposing counsel, courts, and tribunals.
- Meeting with clients and participating in client interviews.
- Assisting with negotiations, mediations, and settlement discussions.
- Appearing before the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, administrative tribunals, and other adjudicative bodies, initially under supervision and progressively on an independent basis.
- Attending court with senior counsel.
- Managing assigned files with appropriate supervision.
- Preparing and filing court documents electronically.
- Utilizing Cosmolex for file management, calendaring, document generation, timekeeping, billing, trust accounting, and client communication.
- Utilizing AI-assisted legal research and drafting tools responsibly while exercising independent legal judgment.
- Maintaining organized, accurate, and professional client files.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should possess:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LL.B. from an accredited law school.
- Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- One (1) to three (3) years of relevant legal experience is preferred, although exceptional newly called lawyers are encouraged to apply.
- Excellent legal writing, advocacy, and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Sound judgment, professionalism, and integrity.
- The ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Experience using Cosmolex or another cloud-based legal practice management platform is considered a significant asset.
- A genuine interest in legal technology and AI-assisted legal practice.
- Membership in the Barreau du Québec and fluency in both English and French are considered assets but are not required.
OUR TEAM
You will join a supportive and experienced legal team committed to providing exceptional client service.
Our staff includes a senior law clerk with more than seventeen (17) years of experience together with an experienced office manager. We believe collaboration, mentorship, professionalism, and mutual respect are fundamental to the successful practice of law.
COMPENSATION & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Compensation is commensurate with experience, qualifications, demonstrated ability, and overall fit with the firm.
For the right candidate, Martel Law Office is prepared to consider flexible compensation arrangements, including traditional salary-based employment, performance-based compensation, or alternative remuneration models that reward initiative, business development, and the ability to independently manage client files. Lawyers who successfully develop their own client base may also be eligible for enhanced fee-sharing arrangements, to be discussed individually.
Successful litigation occasionally requires flexibility, initiative, and a willingness to devote additional time when important court deadlines or urgent client matters arise. We are seeking a lawyer who embraces that level of professional commitment while working in a collegial, supportive, and respectful environment.
As Martel Law Office continues its growth as a Professional Corporation, the successful candidate will enjoy increasing responsibility, greater autonomy, and a genuine opportunity to progress toward leadership and, ultimately, partnership within the firm. We are looking for an ambitious lawyer who is prepared to invest the time and effort necessary to build an exceptional legal career while delivering outstanding service to clients.
WHY JOIN MARTEL LAW OFFICE?
This position offers:
- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
- Potential health benefits as the firm expands as a Professional Corporation.
- Flexible compensation arrangements tailored to the right candidate.
- Direct mentorship from a lawyer with over twenty (20) years of experience.
- Early courtroom exposure and meaningful advocacy experience.
- Significant responsibility from the outset.
- Opportunities to build your own client base and professional reputation.
- A modern, technology-driven practice utilizing Cosmolex, AI-assisted legal drafting, cloud-based workflows, and innovative legal technology.
- A collegial, supportive, and respectful workplace.
- Genuine long-term opportunities for advancement and partnership.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates are invited to submit:
- Cover Letter;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Law School Transcripts (optional for experienced candidates);
- A legal writing sample, if available; and
- References following the first interview, if requested.
Applications may be submitted in confidence to:
Martel Law Office
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Martel Law Office is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a respectful, professional, and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, experience, and the needs of the firm. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
Pay: $70,000.00-$100,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
