Early Intervention Counsel

The Law Society of Alberta (Law Society) regulates the legal profession in the public interest.

In alignment with the Law Society’s vision, mission, and strategic plan, the Early Intervention department provides a mechanism for people to convey concerns about a lawyer; assesses information for regulatory risk; and streams matters to the discipline process or provides feedback and learning opportunities. This is part of the Law Society’s strategic goal of being a model regulator by proactively addressing lawyer skills while addressing disciplinary matters through a fair process. The Early Intervention department includes intake, assessment and resolution activities. Contacts with the department are categorized as general inquiries or complaints and may come from the public, lawyers, the courts, financial institutions or on behalf of businesses.

As a key member of the Early Intervention team, Early Intervention Counsel will, with direction from the Senior Manager, Professionalism, be responsible for reviewing information received, and communicating decisions and reasons to complainants. In addition, Early Intervention Counsel will provide coaching and educational resources to lawyers as appropriate and required, and may also work to resolve issues between lawyers and others.

Success in this position requires excellent communication, time management, judgment and analytical skills.

Key  Responsibilities

As a member of the Early Intervention Team you will :

• Review information received, and then conduct a review under s.53 of the Legal Profession Act and the Law Society Rules according to established processes and timelines.
• Research and gather additional information required to arrive at a decision.
• Review complaints and either resolve them, refer them into the Conduct stream, or dismiss them as a delegate of the Executive Director.
• Make informed decisions relative to process and needs.
• Communicate decisions and reasons to complainants.
• Communicate with lawyers about client service and practice improvements.
• Identify risk and trends and provide recommendations to management.
• Remain diplomatic, professional and nonjudgmental when communicating with complainants and lawyers
• Prepare dismissals and other correspondence and complete risk assessments as required.
• Work collaboratively with Conduct Counsel, Legal Counsel, Practice Management Counsel and other Law Society staff to identify appropriate actions.
• Engage the Investigations department to gather relevant information, as needed.
• Communicate professionally with key internal and external stakeholders and respond to requests for information in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain working knowledge of the Legal Profession Act, the Rules of the Law Society and the Code of Conduct, as it pertains to conducting the assessment process.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Additional Information

The Law Society values diversity in its workforce and equal access to opportunity.

What We Offer

We also offer a flexible hybrid working environment. In-office attendance is required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. You are also more than welcome to continue to work four or five days in the office if that is your preference.

Having multiple in-office days allows room for collaboration, social connections, mentorship and cross-departmental interaction, while remote days still allow you to manage your work-life balance effectively.