Corporate Lawyer - Auto Manufacturing

Tech Talent International (SI) supplies technical talent to a variety of clients ranging from Fortune 100/500/1000 companies to small and mid-sized organizations in Canada/US and Europe.

We currently have a role as a Corporate Lawyer - Auto Manufacturing with our multinational EV manufacturing client.

Role: Corporate Lawyer - Auto Manufacturing

Type: Fulltime, Perm

Location: North York, ON

Salary: $175,000 - $225,000 (total comp range) based on experience. Some flexibility in the total comp plan can be made for a senior level candidate.

Languages: English and Mandarin (nice to have)

We are helping organizations transition to sustainable transportation through innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. We are seeking a knowledgeable and client-focused EV Charging Specialist to support the design, deployment, and management of EV charging infrastructure projects for our EV manufacturing client in North York.

Company Overview

Our client] is a leading organization within the EV automotive manufacturing sector, supporting large-scale production, supply chain operations, technology innovation, and global commercial partnerships. We are seeking an experienced Corporate Lawyer with expertise in automotive manufacturing to provide strategic legal guidance across complex business operations and regulatory matters.

Local Legal Counsel (Canada)

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal & Compliance Framework

• Establish and continuously improve the local legal and compliance management framework for the Canadian business.
• Develop legal policies, governance procedures, and operational processes to ensure compliance with applicable Canadian laws and regulations.
• Build legal risk prevention, control, and emergency response mechanisms.
• Ensure the company's operations comply with federal, provincial, and local legal requirements.
• Implement global legal risk management standards established by headquarters.
• Participate in the development of the company's global legal governance framework while providing legal support for Canadian operations.

2. Legal Research, Risk Identification & Compliance Management

• Monitor and analyze changes in Canadian federal and provincial laws, regulations, government policies, and industry regulatory developments.
• Assess the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on business operations, market positioning, and corporate strategy.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal risks affecting the Canadian business.
• Develop and implement legal risk mitigation strategies and compliance controls.
• Establish legal risk monitoring and early warning mechanisms to proactively address emerging issues.

3. Legal Advisory & Business Support

• Provide comprehensive legal advice and day-to-day support to business units.
• Participate in strategic business decisions and provide practical legal guidance.
• Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts, agreements, and legal documentation.
• Handle day-to-day corporate legal matters and provide ongoing legal support to internal stakeholders.

4. Contract Management & Negotiation

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements throughout their full lifecycle.
• Ensure contractual terms comply with applicable Canadian legal requirements.
• Provide legal guidance throughout contract execution and resolve contractual disputes and issues.

5. Dispute Resolution & Litigation Management

• Manage litigation, arbitration, and other contentious and non-contentious legal matters.
• Coordinate and oversee external legal counsel, including managing legal budgets and evaluating service quality.
• Represent the company in arbitration and litigation proceedings.
• Handle employment disputes, commercial disputes, contract claims, and other legal proceedings.

6. Regulatory Affairs & Government Relations

• Serve as the primary legal liaison with Canadian regulatory authorities and government agencies.
• Respond to regulatory inquiries and compliance requirements.
• Prepare and submit regulatory filings and compliance reports.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and investigations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with government authorities and regulatory bodies.

7. Legal Training & Compliance Awareness

• Develop and deliver legal and compliance training programs for employees.
• Promote legal awareness and a strong culture of compliance across the organization.
• Prepare training materials and implement annual legal training plans.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B., J.D., or equivalent) is required.
• Admission to the Law Society of Ontario (licensed Ontario lawyer) is strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience (exceptional candidates may be considered with slightly less experience).
• Previous experience as Head of Legal, Regional Legal Counsel, or a senior in-house legal leadership role is preferred.
• Experience in the automotive, new energy (EV), manufacturing, or industrial sectors is highly preferred.
• Prior experience at a Canadian law firm and/or as in-house counsel for a multinational corporation is highly desirable.

Language Requirements

• Fluent English is required.
• Mandarin Chinese and/or French language proficiency is considered a significant asset.

Technical Knowledge & Expertise

Candidates should possess strong knowledge of the Canadian legal and regulatory environment, including federal and Ontario legislation, with the ability to navigate overlapping federal and provincial legal requirements.

Expertise should include:

• Automotive product safety and vehicle recall regulations.
• Export controls and economic sanctions compliance.
• Federal and provincial consumer protection legislation.
• Data privacy and cybersecurity compliance, including PIPEDA and applicable provincial privacy legislation.
• Employment and labour law, particularly the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA).
• Corporate law, commercial law, and intellectual property law.
• Experience managing litigation, arbitration, and complex commercial disputes.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent commercial judgment and strategic business partnering skills.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation abilities.
• Experience working in a cross-border or multinational corporate environment.
• Ability to manage multiple legal matters simultaneously while balancing business objectives and legal risk.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.