Careers
Join a trial-focused litigation firm with 30+ years of courtroom experience
Starkman & Zhang is not a general practice firm. We are a litigation boutique — our lawyers go to court, conduct examinations, argue motions, and try cases. If you want to build real litigation skills rather than review documents in a back office, this is the right place.
Our team regularly appears before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Commercial List, the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, and various tribunals. We handle commercial disputes, construction liens, real estate litigation, shareholder conflicts, and international arbitration across the Greater Toronto Area.
We are currently hiring — apply today
Open Positions
Legal Assistant
We are looking for a motivated Legal Assistant to join our litigation team. This is a hands on role supporting lawyers on active court files.
What You'll Do
- Prepare and organize court filings, motion materials, and evidence briefs
- Manage litigation deadlines, court dates, and filing requirements
- Coordinate with courts, opposing counsel, and clients
- Draft correspondence and assist with document production
- Support lawyers in trial preparation and hearing logistics
What We're Looking For
- Legal assistant experience in a litigation environment
- Familiarity with Ontario court filing procedures and the Rules of Civil Procedure
- Strong document formatting and organizational skills
- Ability to manage multiple files and tight deadlines simultaneously
- Mandarin or Cantonese proficiency is a significant asset
Location: Markham, ON (Highway 7 & 404) • Full-time
Associate Lawyers
We are seeking Associate Lawyers who want to develop a serious litigation practice — not shuffle paper. Associates at our firm handle their own files, argue motions, conduct discoveries, and appear in court from day one.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Managing your own litigation files from intake to resolution
- Drafting pleadings, motion materials, affidavits, and facta
- Conducting and defending examinations for discovery
- Appearing in court on motions, pre-trials, and trials
- Developing litigation strategy with senior lawyers
What We're Looking For
- Called to the Ontario Bar (or pending call)
- Genuine interest in courtroom advocacy and trial work
- Strong legal writing and analytical skills
- Ability to work independently and manage deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior litigation experience (motions, discoveries, or trial)
- Experience in commercial, construction, or real estate disputes
- Mandarin, Cantonese, or other language proficiency
Location: Markham, ON (Highway 7 & 404) • Full-time
Articling Students
Our articling positions are designed for students who want to learn litigation by doing it — not by watching from the sidelines.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Drafting pleadings, motions, and factums on real files
- Conducting legal research on active litigation matters
- Attending court hearings, discoveries, mediations, and trials
- Assisting with trial preparation and evidence organization
- Communicating with clients, opposing counsel, and courts
What We're Looking For
- Strong academic record
- Genuine interest in advocacy and dispute resolution
- Excellent legal research and writing skills
- Self-motivated and able to take initiative on file work
Preferred Qualifications
- Moot court or clinical experience
- Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Italian, or Russian language skills
- Prior legal work experience (law clerk, summer student, paralegal)
Location: Markham, ON (Highway 7 & 404) • Full-time
Why Join Starkman & Zhang
Real Courtroom Experience
You will be in court regularly — not stuck behind a desk. Our lawyers appear before the Superior Court, Court of Appeal, and tribunals on a weekly basis.
Direct Mentorship
Work directly with Paul Starkman (30+ years) and Calvin Zhang. No layers of associates between you and senior litigators.
Diverse Case Exposure
Handle commercial disputes, construction liens, real estate litigation, international arbitration, and shareholder conflicts — not just one type of file.
Competitive Compensation
Compensation that reflects your contributions, comparable to boutique litigation firms in the GTA.
Multilingual Environment
Our team serves clients in six languages. If you speak Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Italian, or Russian, your language skills are valued and used daily.
Convenient Location
Our office is at Highway 7 & 404 in Markham with free parking — no downtown commute, easy access from anywhere in the GTA.
How to Apply
Please email your resume to the address below. Indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line.
office@starkmanlawyers.com