Junior Legal Counsel

JOB SUMMARY

Legal Services provides a comprehensive and complex range of legal services to elected officials, all City of Ottawa departments, and various boards and commissions (i.e. Ottawa Police Services Board, Ottawa Community Land Development Corporation and the Ottawa Public Library), in the areas of civil litigation, labour and employment law, prosecutions, and corporate, municipal, planning, development, environmental, and commercial law.

Under the guidance of more seniora Senior Legal Counsel, a range of legal services to City Council, Committees, Departments, local boards and agencies, in one or more of the following areas:

• Planning and development law, focusing on land subdivision, severances, condominiums, official plans, zoning and development, by-law preparation, preparation of development agreements, and planning issues generally.
• Environmental law focusing on environmental legislation and regulations, assessment, Waste Master Plan, by-law prosecutions and environmental issues generally.
• Employment law and labour relations focusing on labour arbitrations, Labour Relations Board and Human Rights Tribunal proceedings, pay equity, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, wrongful dismissal, litigation and other labour relations and employment law issues generally.
• Contract law focusing on revision and creation of construction, purchasing and consulting service contracts, documents and procedures; construction disputes/liens and bonding; review and preparation of contracts before tender call and after contract award; contract law training programs; contract management and dispute resolution.
• Civil litigation and claims/prosecutions focusing on claims made by and against the City, its boards, commissions and agencies, including the Police Services Board; conducting litigation/prosecutions before courts concerning various Acts/codes, such as the Building Code, Fire Code, Dog Owners’ Liability Act etc.; and negotiation of litigation settlements.
• Real Estate and Property law focusing on issues relating to the acquisition/disposal of lands including acquisitions, sales, expropriations, leases and title information processes and related easement and encroachment agreements.
• Administrative law focusing on interpretation/preparation of all manner of documents, including by-laws, corporate documents or specialized applications, drafting of all manner of reports and correspondence, the development of standardized contracts, agreements or forms, ATIP (Access to Information Privacy) administration, handling all manner of various enquiries/responses, and making final determinations on collections pertaining to monies owed the City.

You provide legal opinions and advice to an assigned client group and are responsible for protecting/advancing their legal interests. You work in an assigned practice area, under the functional supervision of more senior Legal Counsel charged with guiding your development as a new lawyer. You may also provide guidance and assistance to Articling Law Students in the respective practice area.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree (3 year program after first degree).

As the entry point to Legal Services, the incumbent is expected to be job-ready after completion of Articles and passing the Bar exams.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the Municipal Act 2001
• Knowledge of the Code of Professional Conduct of the Law Society of Upper Canada
• General awareness of municipal operations, City organizational structures, and departmental business requirements
• General knowledge of the legislation, and regulations, relating to the assigned area of practice
• Basic knowledge of the law of civil procedures and practice before the courts, and or administrative boards or tribunals
• Basic knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures relating to interviewing, facilitation, negotiation, dispute resolution, and mediation
• Basic knowledge of processes for responding to inquiries, and preparing reports, briefing notes and other communiqués
• Knowledge of the Employee Code of Conduct as well as applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Able to work independently, with minimal direction, and collaboratively with all staff as part of a team
• Able to professionally represent the City before the courts and or administrative tribunals, and at meetings involving multiple shareholders and the general public
• Possess human relations skills to provide guidance and assistance to Articling Law Students
• Possess organizational skills and flexibility to plan, initiate, organize and prioritize own work, to manage multiple projects, and to deal effectively with multiple demands, conflicting priorities, pressures and timelines
• Able to consult with internal clients and provide problem solving advice, opinion and guidance on legal matters
• Able to undertake research, investigate/define issues, analyze/evaluate/interpret information, present findings and make recommendations
• Possess articulate and persuasive communication skills and influencing/negotiating skills/abilities in order to handle the advisory, adversarial and administrative nature of the work
• Able to describe legal concepts in readily understandable terms, and provide timely, constructive professional advice/information to all clients to assist in the decision-making process
• Able to compose and write contract language, memoranda, settlement documents, reports and proposals
• Skilled in public speaking and in preparing/delivering presentations
• Possess computer literacy in MS Office Suite and the ability to utilize specialized software and internet resources for legal research
• Able to maintain and secure detailed documentation, records and files
• Self-directed in applying judgement, initiative and creativity to address unique situations
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills
• Thorough and attentive to detail
• Demonstrates tact , diplomacy, political awareness, sound judgement and discretion in protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of information
• Resilient, and able to deal with difficult individuals and situations