Assistant City Solicitor

The City of Sarnia has an exciting opportunity for a motivated and driven lawyer to join the Corporate Services Division, Legal Services Department in a temporary capacity for up to twenty months.

Job Status

Full-time Temporary

Division

Corporate Services

Department

Legal Services

Union

Non-Union

Salary

$128,692.20 - $162,890.00

Vacancies

Closing Date

February 15, 2026

About The City of Sarnia

Located at the mouth of the St. Clair River on the shores of Lake Huron, the community of Sarnia is known for its breathtaking waterfront, pristine beaches and beautiful parks system. Situated on the American border, just a short drive from London, Ontario, the community boasts a host of recreational opportunities, state-of-the-art healthcare, a vibrant cultural scene, and excellent education paired with a high standard of living and mild climate. Ranked one of the most affordable medium-sized cities in Ontario, Sarnia, with its 72,000 residents, is home to over 1,000 acres of parkland and 40 km of trails in addition to 4 golf courses, 16 art galleries, 6 museums, and 3 theatres across the County.

The Role

This position reports to the City Solicitor, and the successful candidate will provide comprehensive legal advice and services to a wide range of City departments. The service will include all matters related to municipal law and real estate, insurance, contracts, and planning and development law. The Assistant City Solicitor may be required to represent the City in court cases and other kinds of adversarial legal proceedings such as arbitrations, mediations, and administrative law proceedings. Knowledge in procurement will be considered an asset.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will have a solid background in municipal, real estate and / or insurance, and commercial law, with experience in drafting, negotiating, structuring, and providing counsel on various types of contracts. Exceptional organizational, facilitation, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively amidst conflicting demands and tight timelines. This role requires strong negotiation, facilitation, mediation, and presentation skills, adaptable for a diverse audience. The candidate must also possess advanced analytical, problem-solving, research, and decision-making abilities, paired with outstanding written and verbal communication skills. A well-developed capacity to interpret, anticipate, and convey complex, technical, and abstract information is crucial. Additionally, the position may require flexibility to work outside regular business hours as needed.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• A member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• A minimum of three years of related experience

Why Work With Us

It’s an opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment where your organizational skills, attention to detail, and professionalism will be highly valued. For temporary employees, the City offers competitive salaries, access to our Employee & Family Assistance Plan (EFAP), and the option to enrol in the OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System) pension plan.

Apply

If you are excited to bring your expertise and leadership to the legal administration of municipal affairs, please apply by February 15, 2026.

Inclusive and Equitable Hiring Statement

We are an inclusive and equitable Corporation that encourages applications from qualified individuals of all genders, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and Indigenous persons. Appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request throughout the hiring process as required from the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Information received relating to accommodation and diversity will be addressed confidentially.

Personal Information

Personal information is being collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used to determine the qualifications for employment with The Corporation of the City of Sarnia. Questions about this collection should be directed to the City Clerk, 255 Christina St. N., Sarnia, ON N7T 7N2, 519-332-0330 ext. 3366.

Recruitment Notice

Please note this recruitment is for a current vacancy.

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