Research Specialist (6-month opportunity)

Research Specialist (6-month opportunity)

Toronto, ON, CA

Jun 12, 2026

Dentons is designed to be different. Our Firm leads the way in a rapidly changing legal marketplace. We challenge the status quo and deliver consistent results as well as uncompromising quality and value to our clients. Our global presence is renowned as a Firm with over 21,000 individuals in more than 200 offices serving clients across 80+ countries.

Dentons Canada is committed to its people and communities. We are consistently recognized as an employer of choice having received numerous awards including being selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2026). Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2026), and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2026).

This role is an opportunity for you to join Canada’s Global Law Firm, a Firm that offers opportunities to build your career while growing your skills and deepening your expertise.

Position Summary:

Are you looking for an opportunity to work and grow your career at a dynamic and progressive global law firm? Are you interested in using cutting edge AI in research? Do you enjoy interacting with people, and taking on interesting and challenging research questions and projects? Are you a keen learner who is always looking to expand your skills and knowledge? Do you want to help reimagine legal research?

Dentons Canada is recruiting for a Research Specialist, located in our Toronto office. This is a contract position for a period of 6 months. There is a possibility that this opportunity becomes permanent at the end of the contract term.

Reporting to the Director, the Research Specialist will play an important role as part of a national team of professionals providing high-quality research, training, innovation and information services to lawyers, students, and staff. With the support of legal technology professionals, the Research Specialist will use and support the use of AI-enabled research and other tools across the Firm.

At Dentons, you will work in a friendly and supportive team environment, and have access to best-in-class research tools and resources. You will interact with Dentons colleagues around the world, and have the opportunity to participate in exciting learning and development programs and initiatives.

This is a hybrid role, which includes a combination of working in the office and working from home.

Responsibilities:

• Provide value-added legal and business research support to lawyers and students, demonstrating knowledge and skill by identifying, analyzing and synthesizing relevant information to support client work. Prepare and write detailed, accurate and concise research deliverables.
• Conduct in-depth federal and provincial legislative research and prepare legislative updates.
• Use advanced online research platforms and AI tools to deliver legal and business research solutions and work products.
• Support AI adoption across the Firm by helping legal professionals evaluate, implement and use AI-enabled research tools effectively and responsibly.
• Develop, design and present legal and business research training using innovative learning methods and technology to students, lawyers and staff.
• Actively participate in Dentons global research and knowledge initiatives, professional development associations, learning opportunities and firm social events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Library/Information Science, or equivalent in law or legal studies is required.
• Legal research experience is required (corporate, law firm or consulting/professional services firm; or courthouse, government or academic law library). Recent graduates with legal research experience are also encouraged to apply.
• Must have excellent client service skills.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, and attention to detail is required.
• Fluency in French is required for the Montreal office location.
• Must be self-motivated, and demonstrate initiative.
• Must possess good technical skills and online searching capabilities. Familiarity with and knowledge of online legal, business and media/news research platforms, and AI-assisted research tools, including Westlaw/Westlaw AI, Lexis Advance Quicklaw, SOQUIJ, Practical Law Canada etc. is required.
• Strong project and time management skills, and the ability to work on multiple tasks and projects simultaneously is required.
• Be comfortable with change and possess ability to actively participate in, or lead new research initiatives and projects.
• Must be able to work independently with minimum supervision, and as part of a team of researchers located across the country.

*We thank all applicants who apply, however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is a coverage role.

The target salary range for this position is $75,000 – $95,000, commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications. Dentons is committed to equitable and competitive compensation. This target range falls within our internal salary ranges, which are based on comparable roles in the external market. We strive to hire, promote, and transfer individuals at the entry point of the range, with consideration given to prior experience, relevant skills, and market conditions.

We recognize that rewarding exceptional talent goes beyond salary. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes inclusive and flexible benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. This includes extended health and mental health benefits, paid time off, retirement savings plans, a fitness subsidy, parental leave top-up, and more.

In addition, our learning and development programs—such as mentorship opportunities, employee networks, and leadership development initiatives—are designed to support personal and professional growth.

At Dentons, all candidate screening, assessment, and hiring decisions are made by people. From time to time, we use AI-enabled tools to assist in enhancing our recruitment process and materials; however, these tools do not screen candidates or make hiring decisions.

Note: Availability of benefits and programs may vary depending on your location and employment type and may be subject to eligibility criteria. Dentons reserves the right to modify or discontinue offerings, in whole or in part, at its discretion and without prior notice.

Equal Opportunity Statement

At Dentons Canada, inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) are not just ancillary values, they are foundational to our business. We believe that IDEA is essential to the shared success of our team and our clients. Our forward-thinking and inclusive culture supports the professional development of all our people, enhances the leading services we offer to our clients, and informs our commitment to make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. As a testament to our commitment to IDEA, we have been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employer’s for 16 consecutive years (2011-2026), as well as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2026) for the ninth time.

Dentons Canada is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome your application. All employment decisions, including hiring, will be made without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, creed, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity, marital status, place of origin, race, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable human rights legislation.

We are committed to providing you with an inclusive, barrier-free, and accessible workplace to support your success. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, for example as a result of a disability, please contact us at .