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Job Summary
The Paralegal, Legal Affairs is responsible for providing support to legal operations in different fields of law (e.g. Litigation, Commercial, Labour, Regulatory) across Canada and the United States (U.S.). The position plays a key role in the organization of cases and files. The incumbent collaborates with in-house counsel, external counsel and with cross-functional teams to ensure legal matters are handled efficiently and effectively. Additionally, the position assists in the eDiscovery process and requests, in collaboration with Information and Technology (I&T) in both Canada and in the U.S.
Main Responsibilities
Litigation Management
Provide support to CN in-house counsel in the management of legal cases
Assist with gathering undertakings as well as answering requests for documents and information from external counsel or opposing counsel and discovery requests and seek out responsive documents, including contracts and agreements
Assist with the review of discovery responses and responses to undertakings drafted by our external counsel and revise accordingly
Conduct legal research, find relevant applicable statutes, pull legal articles and briefs, and write legal memos on issues that arise
Analyze data and prepare summary charts
Assist in the initial case assessment to identify key documents and employees with knowledge of the matter in dispute and for the gathering of evidence
Review various Service of Process (SOPs), judgments, garnishments, and subpoenas and determine how they can be complied with or resolved
Research historical corporate data and retrieve documents from warehouse and various functions
Assist in the interview of internal clients identified as potential witnesses as well as in providing recommendations on the best employee to act as CN representative during examinations for discovery or at trial
Send requests for conflict searches to external counsel
Acceptance of legal proceedings served on CN at Head office
Provide technical support for the new matter management system
Obtain quarterly reports from external counsel, Organize case files, calendar hearings and deadlines as well as transfer large files using CN's file transfer application
Generate different types of reports using Systems, Applications, and Products (SAP/S4Hana) for internal purposes and for the insurers
Open new matters in SAP/S4Hana and provide matter numbers to external counsel for billing purpose
Periodic review of active cases in the matter management system/SAP/S4 Hana to ensure that data is up to date
Handle logistics (e.g. put internal clients in contact with external counsel, obtain last contact information for former employees, etc.)
Obtain settlement cheques and keep financial information in SAP/S4Hana up to date
Handle, maintain and update a library of templates, procedures, legal opinions, job aids, research database or documents
Maintain a list of internal contacts up to date for requests for information and documents and do a first review of access to information requests
eDiscovery
Process legal hold requests received from in-house counsel and external counsel
Assist in the management of the legal hold list
Assist in-house counsel and external counsel for collection matters
Contract Management
Draft and review contracts as well as make recommendations to internal CN clients and Senior Paralegal or to other CN Counsels
Participate with counsel in contract negotiations
Act as liaison between the Legal department and various CN client groups
Regulatory Management
Assist in-house counsel to gather information from CN departments
Prepare draft responses to regulatory agencies
Analyze data and work with in-house counsel to study data trends, such as safety data
Act as liaison between the Legal Department and various CN client groups
Assist in periodic regulatory review and implementation of company policies
Handle the Law department's review of the U.S. and Canadian tower and radio licensing requests
Working Conditions
The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday and is eligible to participate in CN hybrid work policy. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, maintain confidential and sensitive information as well as handle pressure and stress. The role requires minimal travel (up to 20%).
Requirements
Experience
Paralegal
Minimum 3 years of paralegal experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
o Experience as litigation paralegal
o Experience with eDiscovery systems
o Corporate experience
o Familiarity with Bloomberg Law
Any experience for these above would be considered as an asset
Education/Certification/Designation
Diploma in Paralegal Studies
Competencies
Applies critical thinking
Communicates with impact
Innovates
Identifies needs and finds solutions to create value for all stakeholders
Technical Skills/Knowledge
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Fluently bilingual, both written and verbal (English, French)
About CN
CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.
At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented groups often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. Even if you don't see yourself in every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please reach out to our team at .
As an equal employment opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted. Please monitor your email on a regular basis, as communication is primarily made through email.