Senior Legal Counsel (Perm)

No. : SCH II-24-0194NE

POSTED : October 9, 2024

DEADLINE : 4 : 30 p.m. October 28, 2024

Senior Legal Counsel

1 Permanent Position

Legal Services

Schedule II, Level 11

Non-Union 12 Month)

$140,619 - $168,742

The Toronto District School Board adheres to equitable hiring, employment, and promotion practices.

Reporting to the Executive Officer, Legal Services, the Senior Legal Counsel is responsible for providing strategic legal advice and representing the Board in a variety of legal proceedings.

Required areas of practice : civil litigation, privacy, administrative law, and human rights law.

Preferred additional areas of practice : construction / real property law, education law, family law, corporate / commercial law.

Summary of Duties :

Ø Provide proactive and strategic legal advice and opinions to Board senior staff and departments in various areas of law.

• Ø Advise and represent the Board in legal proceedings, mediation, and at various tribunals, draft pleadings and briefs, develop litigation strategy, prepare witnesses, gather evidence and related documentation, examine witnesses, negotiate settlements, etc.;
• Ø Negotiate with internal and external parties, and review and draft contracts, agreements, briefs, public statements, etc.;
• Ø Develop legal resources and deliver training and professional development sessions;
• Ø Negotiate with external groups, lawyers, government bodies and others;
• Ø Prepare and review Board and committee reports;
• Ø Provide legal advice at Board meetings and committees;
• Ø Act as a resource for other legal counsel on areas of expertise;
• Ø Act as Legal Services representative in multi-department project teams or working groups;
• Ø Provide leadership and contribute to department goals and initiatives to efficiently and effectively deliver legal services;
• Ø Provide training and / or professional development to department and TDSB staff on legal issues;
• Ø Stay abreast of developments in relevant areas of law and practice;
• Ø Provide direction and guidance to designated legal support staff (e.g. interns, students-at-law, etc.);

Ø Adhere to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct; and

Ø Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• Ø Bachelor of Laws (or Juris Doctor);
• Ø Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario;
• Ø Minimum of four (4) years successful related experience;
• Ø Firm understanding of tribunal and court rules of procedure;
• Ø Knowledge of legislation governing education and school board operations is an asset;
• Ø Demonstrated ability to represent clients in complex trials and hearings;
• Ø Understanding of and commitment to the principles of equity, human rights, and Indigenous reconciliation;
• Ø Proven expertise in solving new and complex problems and developing innovative strategies to achieve results;
• Ø Ability to draft and interpret pleadings, contracts and other legal documents;
• Ø Ability to work independently while being an effective member of a team;

Ø Highly effective research, communication and presentation skills; and

Ø Excellent organizational skills to handle multiple files, often under tight deadlines.

Special Requirements :

Ø Requires travel to schools and TDSB sites, law offices, courts, tribunals, etc.

Ø Must be available to work extended hours (evenings / weekends) as required.

Work Year : 12 Months

Location : 5050 Yonge Street (Wheelchair Accessible) (Hybrid Work Eligible)

Please note :

Applications must be submitted using the link below by October 28, 2024 :

https : / / tdsb-jobs.sabacloud.com / Saba / Web spf / CA1PRD0033 / jobs-jobs / career / jobdetail / jobrq000000000004482

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will not be acknowledged in writing.

The Toronto District School Board is deeply committed to promoting Truth, Reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous peoples, Human Rights, Equity and Anti-Racism, and the elimination of Oppressive Practices, in our schools, our workplace and in the communities we serve.

We strongly encourage applications from all individuals including those with varied lived experiences that can contribute to the diversification of the workforce at TDSB.

We strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance during the application process.

The TDSB follows a hybrid work structure where some employees may be able to work remotely at times, based on operational requirements.

Please refer to Policy P103 , Flexible Working Arrangements for more information.