Director, Legal Services / Town Solicitor

Overview / Background

The Town of Fort Erie bridges big city entrepreneurial opportunities with small-town charm and lifestyle. Quality of life is incomparable with its strong values, a dynamic work environment and easy access to modern amenities complemented by small-town ambience, warmth and welcome.

Along with an array of historical sites, natural beauty and beaches, recreational trails, excellent fishing, birding and cycling, and a gateway to Buffalo via the Peace Bridge, Fort Erie has so much to offer!

Fort Erie is strategically located in the heart of one of North America's busiest economic trade corridors and boasts bottom-line advantages and an open-for-business attitude.

Niagara's cost of doing business make it one of Ontario's most competitive centres for business with an unparalleled network of infrastructure accessing North American and international markets.

Prominent local, national and multi-national companies have set up shop in Fort Erie, all strategically positioned for further success and expansion thanks to its enviable location.

From manufacturing and technology to commercial trail and knowledge-based sectors, Fort Erie is growing business, profits and a stellar reputation.

Position / Responsibilities / Requirements

The Town is recruiting a self-managing, positive, seasoned candidate with excellent communication skills. The ideal candidate should also have a proven ability to lead and direct a team and demonstrates ethical conduct, political sensitivity, discretion, integrity and reliability.

The Town is open to a flexible, hybrid working arrangement for this role.

Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Director, Legal Services / Town Solicitor acts as the principal legal counsel for the municipality and is responsible for delivering a wide range of legal services in areas of law affecting the Town, including but not limited to municipal and administrative law, planning and development, construction, real estate, corporate law, contracts, and by-law enforcement.

The Director, Legal Services / Town Solicitor provides legal advice and opinions to Senior Managers, staff and Council, prepares legal documents including contracts and agreements, manages and conducts litigation before civil and administrative tribunals, and prosecutes municipal by-law contraventions.

You possess a Court of A Bachelor of Law Degree or equivalent and successful completion of the Ontario Bar Admission Course and have successfully completed the Ontario Bar Admission Course or the Barrister Licensing Examination and Solicitor Licensing Examination.

You are a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario and have a minimum of four years of legal practice with demonstrated experience in municipal law or similar relevant experience.

You also possess a solid understanding and experience in legal research, drafting, negotiation, mediation and litigation and demonstrated experience before courts and administrative tribunals including the Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Justice and Ontario Land Tribunal.

In addition, demonstrated success in a senior management position in a municipal corporation and experience leading prosecutions and representing both plaintiffs and defendants and appearing before the courts and quasi-judicial bodies, particularly the Ontario Municipal Board is needed.