Counsel, Practice Review, Professional Development and Competence (Remote, Toronto)

JOB PURPOSE

Examines and makes recommendations for improvement to a licensee's practice with respect to practice management, including the licensee's knowledge, skill and judgment, attention to the interests of clients, the records, systems and procedures of the licensee's professional business, client files, and any other factor related to professional competence as expressed in the Law Society Act, by-laws, and Rules of Professional Conduct / Paralegal Rules of Conduct ("Rules").

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Requires an LLB or JD and a class L1 licence with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Requires a minimum of 5 years related experience in private legal practice.
• Professional Knowledge:
  • The Law Society's mandate, services, legislation, and policies.
  • A broad understanding of a variety of areas of law.
  • Current trends and developments in practice management and relevant areas of law.
  • Legal concepts and their application, including strengths in issue identification, analytical skills, and the application of expert knowledge.
  • General and trust accounting record keeping practices.
  • The application of technology, preferably in a legal / regulatory environment.
  • Management experience in a law practice is an asset.
  • Risk management and remediation expertise is an asset.
• Technical Skills:
  • Microsoft Office Suite / 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Competencies:
  • Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately, both orally and in writing.
  • Expressive and persuasive in both spoken and written language for individual and/or group situations.
• Working Conditions / Travel:
  • Works remotely in a home office environment.
  • Required to maintain an office in their home capable of providing security for the Law Society's assets and licensees' sensitive information. Attends at licensees' offices on a continuous basis.Required to share workstations while in the office.
  • Travel throughout Ontario is required when conducting reviews, with occasional overnight travel

*By submitting your application for employment, you agree to a clearance check of your regulatory history with the Law Society, and to the use of this information in assessing suitability for employment at the Law Society.

Client / Customer Service Planning

• Conducts initial due diligence on licensee selected to ensure practice review can proceed.
• Contacts licensee to discuss and schedule the practice review, establish rapport, and to inform licensee of any documentation to be provided.
• Prepares and sends confirmation letters to licensees.
• Prepares and sends case requirements to licensees.
• Conducts pre-review due diligence to ensure scheduled practice review can proceed.
• Prepares for review, including assessing any documentation provided by the licensee in advance of the review.

Client / Customer Service Delivery

• Completes required number of practice review assignments in accordance with Law Society Act and by-laws by examining licensees' practices to ensure compliance with the Law Society Act, by-laws, Rules, and externally published Law Society of Ontario policies.
• Examines licensee / firm documents and records, and interviews the licensee, their staff, or others.
• Identifies breaches, or potential breaches, of the Law Society Act, by-laws, and Rules.
• Maintains currency with developments in law.
• Assesses risk to the public and recommends practical solutions to mitigate the risk.
• Prepares practice review reports that include recommendations for the improvement of the licensee's / firm's practice, in accordance with Law Society precedents.
• Submits practice review reports that are appropriately completed, well documented, and organized according to Practice Review Program standards and within specified timelines
• Conducts follow-up practice reviews to ensure recommendations are acted upon.
• Follows procedural and administrative requirements, ensuring practice reviews are conducted appropriately and reports are prepared promptly.

Team Membership

• Attends monthly team meetings.
• Promotes the sharing and transfer of knowledge, standards, and information amongst team members within the department and division.
• Shares expertise with other Professional Development and Competence (PD&C) and Professional Regulation counsel and team members engaged in the regulation and enhancement of licensee conduct and competence.
• Works with other staff to establish, monitor and continuously improve the review process and the writing of reports.
• Contributes to and participates in the development of policies, standardized practices, guidelines and procedures for the conduct and disposition of practice reviews.

The Law Society has introduced a Distributed Workforce Model to leverage flexibility and agility, and to maximize employee productivity and engagement. Work arrangements will be determined by role and departmental requirements. The working arrangement for this position has been classified as primarily remote, with a requirement to attend the office on an occasional basis. The specific application of this will be communicated to applicants contacted during the recruitment process.