legal assistant

lawyer

associate

law clerk

billing specialist

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

This is NOT a good place to work depending on your position and department. I worked as a LSA. The LSA managers and supervisors are awful, and their supervisors are simply clueless. They 100% play favourites and target people they don’t like and bully them into quiting because of how much of a nuisance they are by always creating issues of minor things. Oh and be skeptical of staff who are friends with higher ups and HR. They also ignore rules when it comes to their favourites while arbitrarily punishing those they don’t care for. This is disturbing as these people are ruining people’s chances to advance, receive bonuses, raises, and their overall livelihoods. They’re also cheap and don’t care about loyalty as word has it that they started to let go older staff members who’ve been there for decades. You’re basically walking on eggshells here and also micromanaged. God forbid you’re five minutes and you’ll get a call or email.

The management team and HR are so toxic. There is high staff turnover and the frequent job ads should tell you that. Staff coming and going creates instability which also affect the lawyers’ practices, and some of them have taken notice and are frustrated by this especially since shares are just getting bigger and bigger making it hard for assistants to keep up with workload. Lawyers and their asisstants need time to develop a trustworthy relationship, and that is not possible when there’s a toxic management culture where lawyers including partners can’t protect their assistants despite high quality job performance because HR has more power. It also seems like there’s high associate turnover as well.

This firm seems to be falling apart and is so so mismanaged. It seems that people who oversee all of HR and C-level executives are either shockingly oblivious or just don’t care. They seem to be coasting on the fact that Osler is a Seven Sister Bay Street firm that everyone wants to work for. I was enticed by the allure of large corporate firm as well, but realized halfway that it’s sham like most corporate environments. There may not be a firm to work for if Osler continues with poor management practices. Or at the very least, they will have difficulty attracting top talent to keep your firm going. They NEED great staff right down to the lowest possible position to keep your operations running. Continuing to take them for granted, paying them awful salaries with paltry raises and “bonuses” (while you pay partners millions that they don’t need), providing subpar benefits, etc. and your firm will suffer. This is just common sense. Treating your employees with respect and demonstrating that with a great salary, benefits, etc. IS GOOD BUSINESS. If years down the line, this firm along with a couple of other awful Bay Street firms are in financial trouble, I will not be surprised. Word gets around about bad firms. 

If anyone takes a job here, do so with goal of leaving and always keep your resume updated. You can get your foot in door and gain the experience of working in a large corporate firm, but if there is a better opportunity, think about that too.

What is the best part of working at the company?
They pay well and offer good benefits. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The company culture is challenging. As with most law firms of this size, there is "us" and "them" which I am fine with - I don't want to be a lawyer. But the problem is "them" is in-fighting with limited leadership available to right the course. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Typical corporate office environment with the odd lunch and breakfast, lots of DEI events throughout the year, a company Christmas dinner, and each department has it's own get togethers/things. They offer lots of staff appreciation gifts. They are very generous. Staff eat lunch in the kitchen which is a nice shared space.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great firm, good team work, horrible tech, very antiquated. The usual cubicle working environment for support staff which I think is unethical and inhumane (no direct light, no windows) but for a big firm they're good.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
There is nothing to write here, because it depends on you personally. I can't tell you what would stress you out.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Typical big firm culture, all the usual amenities and activities with a big emphasis on inclusion and diversity, etc.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
The day is like any other office day, get your assignments, do your work, liaise with coworkers or clients as necessary.

Osler has a lot of potential to be a great organization. Just when you begin to forget that, you'll interact with a co-worker or hear about a milestone they achieved that reminds you of why this company is excellent at what they do. However, it still exists as a Bay Street firm and is rampant with elitism. At times it feels like they do everything they can to remind their support staff of just how insignificant they are to the firm. If feeling like you are an important part of an organization's success is desirable to you, look elsewhere. But if you are just after a means to pay the bills and live your life, this might be what you're looking for.

What is the best part of working at the company?
This is one of the most toxic and racist environments I have ever experienced.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The entire company culture feels like a constant blame game, focused on serving entitled individuals. It creates an extremely stressful environment with little to no respect for boundaries 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
	The office atmosphere is so tense it feels like you could cut it with a knife. There is little sense of culture, and the expectation seems to be strict obedience rather than collaboration.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Destruction on earth a place where dreams go to perish

It’s one of the major law firms in Canada but like all there is a split between lawyers and non lawyers within the firm. I can speak to the support, non lawyer side of the firm. While lawyers are top notch, the support is not. And it shows across all areas, from dated and rigid HR policies, modest benefits and compensation, to technology to marketing. I wish they actually had higher expectations of the staff but right now too many people get away with mediocrity, leisurely pace at work (while of course complaining how hard the work is). Bring the client facing work ethic to the back office, please.

In the last 8 years at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, I have developed a range of skills that has allowed me to succeed in meeting the needs of every client. Some of those skills include the ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment, successful time management when faced with high priority tasks, strong organizational skills, prioritize and multi-task in a dynamic environment and high knowledge in the importance of maintaining professional work relationships.

Average benefits for a corporate position.
Not significant pay for admin staff.
Conveniently located.
Very professional and corporate workplace culture.
Fast-pace, great for self-starters.
Management varies by department - can be incredibly supportive.
Great opportunity to learn about corporate and legal culture.

Very good technology and training. Good benefits and perks. Staff and resources are plentiful.Facility is beautiful. Staff are friendly.Highly recommended for someone just starting. Good opportunity to work with the very best lawyers in Canada, the friendliest staff and the very best clients.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Challenges, and people working together 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Time management and restrictions 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Excellent people too work for 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy environment and always something to do

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Legal assistant 25 salaries reported	$66,020 per year
Lawyer 6 salaries reported	$95,000 per year
Associate 1 salary reported	$142,000 per year
Law clerk 5 salaries reported	$96,300 per year
Billing specialist 3 salaries reported	$64,500 per year

Working at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP: company overview and reviews

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP ratings

Popular jobs at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Salary satisfaction

Job seeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected