Paralegals: Key Players on the Justice Team

The world in which the Department of Justice provides services is changing. As governments respond to trends such as globalization, more citizen engagement in the justice system and the move to a knowledge-based economy, the complexity, volume and diversity of legal issues has increased. As we look for solutions in this complex environment, the need for different perspectives and diverse experience has never been greater.

This is where paralegals can play an important role. In recent years, the private sector has increasingly looked to these skilled professionals to contribute their important and unique expertise to the legal team, and the Department of Justice is taking a similar approach with its legal staff.

A Growing, Diverse Community

The role of a paralegal in the federal government has evolved and today, they are integral contributors to the delivery of legal services. The Government of Canada employs about 275 paralegals, mostly with the Department of Justice, in a variety of legal practice areas including civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, tax law, property law, advisory services, legislative drafting and more. They often work as part of multi-disciplinary teams that can include counsel, information technology specialists, and other experts.

Paralegals complement the work of legal counsel, and handle any substantive legal work that is not limited to counsel by statutory provisions and other restrictions. Their work is varied in both scope and breadth. They assist in preparing for and attending hearings, legal research, interviewing witnesses, managing evidence and drafting legal documents. Their responsibilities are diverse and they bring valuable legal skills to the teams they work in.

“Teams of lawyers and paralegals are matched to ensure complex cases proceed through the court system quickly and efficiently. Paralegals play a key role in these cases by sorting thousands of pieces of evidence and assisting in the development of arguments presented to the courts.”

Terry McAuley, Regional Director, Prairie Regional Office (Winnipeg)

“Quebec Regional Office paralegals are active in many fields: Aboriginal law, employment insurance, immigration, tax collection, and fine recovery. Their specialized technical and legal knowledge is essential in creating effective, cutting-edge teams.”

Micheline Van-Erum, Director, Regulatory Law Directorate, Quebec Regional Office

A Demanding and Rewarding Professional Career

Given the specialized responsibilities assigned to paralegals within the legal team, professional standards within the Department of Justice are established with prescribed educational requirements, which may vary according to the province or territory.

In Their Own Words

The work of paralegals is both challenging and rewarding. Here's what some paralegals, their managers and colleagues are saying about their work:

“I interview police officers, summarize the facts of the case, and draft all the requisite paperwork for the extradition of persons sought for service of sentence or for prosecution. I monitor each case from arrest to appeal to surrender upon the Minister's final order. I serve as resource person on extradition for the police and counsel. My job can be difficult and challenging, but I have always maintained that it is an honour to have the most interesting job at the Department of Justice.”

Mina Gonzales, Paralegal, Criminal Prosecutions, Ontario Regional Office

“After many years working as a paralegal, I recently accepted an assignment as the Manager of Operations for the unit. In this role, I am responsible for the provision, planning and management of financial, human resource and administration responsibilities for the unit. I continue to provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to paralegals and support staff as well as instructing and monitoring Crown Agent appointments on our student loans collection files.”

Bill May, Paralegal and Manager of Operations, Human Resources Development Canada Legal Services Unit

“Our paralegal contributed enormously to the success of developing a legal risk management system for our client, and outdid herself in explaining the system to the client and even provided training.”

Michel Francoeur, General Counsel and Director, Canadian Heritage Legal Services Unit

“I advise and coordinate both the business and technical component for the Automated Litigation Support system to assist counsel in the document management of mega cases. This includes advice on budgeting, project management for imaging, supply arrangements, advising on formatting, development of manuals and guidelines, database configuration and acquisition and just-in-time training.”

Debbie Boutilier, Paralegal and Manager, Litigation Support Centre, Atlantic Regional Office

“I decided to ask paralegals to take on a new challenge. They had to verify all the evidence collected through wiretapping, which was previously done by junior lawyers or articling students. I must say that I was impressed by their work.”

André A. Morin, Director, Federal Prosecution Service, Quebec Regional Office

“I enjoy a variety of interesting work in a professional and supportive environment. The Department offers paralegals opportunities for training, promotions and mobility, both in different areas of law as well as to other offices throughout Canada. I am honoured to serve Canadians and fortunate to have a job I love.”

Donna Chan, Paralegal, Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance, British Columbia Regional Office

“The Northwest Territories differs from the provinces in that we are responsible for all criminal prosecutions from sexual assault, impaired driving to murder trials. To make sure the Supreme Court files are prepared and ready to schedule for trial, I have to prepare indictments and the pre-trial conference reports, and obtain witness availability from the RCMP.”

Vivian Hansen, Paralegal, Criminal Prosecutions, Northern Regional Office (Yellowknife)

“As Team Leader, I supervise the support staff on a 12-member mega-case project team. I am also responsible for creating and managing a highly developed, one-of-a-kind monitoring system, which ensures that the enormous amount of information is organized, accessible and retrievable by the team. This ensures a one point of entry for all material related to this file and that nothing is missed.”

Correna Slavin, Paralegal, Federal Prosecution Service, Prairie Regional Office (Edmonton)

Are you committed to making a difference?

Today, a paralegal working with the Department of Justice is an integral contributor to the organization. The paralegal group provides solid, continuing support to the Department in the exercise of its mandate. The Department is committed to maintaining its standard of excellence by continuing to recruit and employ skilled paralegals in the effective delivery of legal services.