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Labour & Employment Law Blog

What Does an Employment Lawyer do?

What Does an Employment Lawyer do?

An employment lawyer assists both employees and employers with respect to certain workplace issues or disputes in non-unionized workplaces. In contrast, labour lawyers offer advice to workers and employers in unionized workplaces. Some employment lawyers are also labour lawyers, but they do not have to be. Zeilikman Law, like some other law firms, offers legal services with respect to both non-unionized and unionized workplaces, and as such, are both employment and labour lawyers.

You may have heard of “employer side” or “management side” law firms versus “employee side” law firms in the employment law context. This means that some employment lawyers or law firms will only accept clients that are either employers or employees. For instance, if the lawyer is a “management side” lawyer, that lawyer only will offer legal services to employers. At Zeilikman Law, we represent both employer and employees alike and, as such, our firm, and firms like it are simply called employment lawyers or an “employment” law firm.

Let’s go into what exactly an employment lawyer does. We will first discuss what an employment lawyer will do for an employee. Generally speaking, an employment lawyer represents employees with certain issues surrounding their job. Most often, employment lawyers will assist employees when the employee has been terminated or dismissed from their job. They will assist employees with determining whether or not there was just cause for their dismissal, whether they are owed any termination or severance pay and how much, what notice they were owed or if there were any human rights issues that were in play. The employment lawyer may also assist the employee by reviewing any employment contracts that they have been asked to sign or were a part of. We have lots of information on our website which discusses other issues that employment lawyers will assist with including constructive dismissal, mitigation, discrimination and others. Take a look at our “for employees” page here.

Now for employers. Again, generally speaking, an employment lawyer represents employers with certain workplace issues. Most often, employment lawyers will assist employers when the employer wants to terminate or dismiss an employee from their job. Another very common set of circumstances, is when an employer is in receipt of a demand letter or other correspondence from another employment lawyer representing the employee and at this time would approach an employment lawyer to assist them in drafting a response which will go down the path of a probable negotiated settlement with or without litigation.

Employment lawyers can also assist employers with drafting and preparing their employment contracts or agreements with their employees. We also have lots of information on our website which discusses other issues that employment lawyers will assist with including human rights compliance, ministry of labour complaints, competing former employees and others. Take a look at our “for employers” page here.

The above article is for general information purposes only, does not constitute legal advice or create a solicitor-client relationship. Because each case is unique and factually driven, if you have concerns with regard to the foregoing issues, please make an appointment with one of our lawyers or a qualified legal practitioner elsewhere. We represent clients in the Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, North York, Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, Newmarket, Aurora, Brampton, Mississauga, Barrie, Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa.

Legal Receptionist

Zeilikman Law is an employment law firm located in Vaughan, Ontario. We are looking to hire a legal receptionist to join our firm. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working as a receptionist at another law firm.

Location: Vaughan, Ontario.

Start Date: Immediately.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Full time. In-person only. This is not a remote work position.

Wages: 35,000 to 40,000 per year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manage our firm’s multi-line telephone system to receive incoming calls.  Screen incoming telephone call inquiries to determine the nature of the telephone call and provide standard information related to our legal services.  Take and deliver messages and route incoming telephone calls to the appropriate staff person.
  • Answer general inquiries coming from the firm’s social media and website email.
  • Welcome in-person visitors upon arrival.  Direct visitors to the appropriate staff person and / or office or boardroom.
  • Organize in-person visitor schedule to prevent overlap and multiple bookings.
  • Receive, sort, and distribute daily mail and deliveries.
  • Arrange for couriers.
  • Keep front reception, kitchenette area and boardroom tidy.
  • Perform various clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, and faxing on an as-needed basis.
  • Process client or other payments.
  • May be asked to run minor errands outside of office such as attending post office to arrange a courier or pick up mail.
  • May be asked to assist other law clerks or lawyers of the firm as required and as appropriate.
  • Any other basic administrative duties or tasks as deemed appropriate.

Required Skills:

  • Basic knowledge of general office procedures including filing, faxing, and printing and copying.
  • Basic word processing computer skills.
  • Proficient in receptionist and telephone practices, etiquette, and decorum.
  • Professional attitude and appearance.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Positive customer service attitude is a must.
  • Must be able to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Education and Experience:

  • Highschool diploma or equivalent.
  • 1 – 2 years’ experience in an office setting with an emphasis in accounting, reception or clerical work is required.   We would prefer experience in a law firm environment.

Applications for this position should be sent via email to jennifer@zeilikmanlaw.com. All applications should include a cover letter, resume and at least two references. Only successful candidates will be contacted.