Counsel

ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS COMPETITION IS RESTRICTED TO STEP 1 CANDIDATES INCLUDING OPS ALOC AND OCAA LAWYERS living or working within 125 km of this location. Note: Eligible lawyers from outside the Area of Search may apply but will not be entitled to relocation or travel expenses for the transfer as set out below.

Step 1: All regular/fixed-term OCAA and ALOC lawyers on staff, current Redeployment List Members and current Articling Student Hireback Pool Members.
Step 2: In the absence of qualified applicants at Step 1 the competition may be reposted so that external applicants or non-members of the above-mentioned groups would then be eligible to apply.

Are you looking for an enriching career in a collaborative and welcoming environment?

The Ministry of the Attorney General, Civil Law Division, seeks experienced counsel for an exciting and challenging opportunity to join the legal team at the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation ("IAFNER-LSB"). This is an opportunity to work on a varied practice in a small legal branch with a wonderful office culture and very interesting and fast-paced work.

As a valued member of IAFNER-LSB, you will be working in a fast paced and collegial legal environment providing legal expertise across all of the Ontario government on a wide variety of complex and interesting matters relating to Indigenous peoples, including areas such as gaming, policing, child welfare, resource related issues and land claims. You would be involved in all aspects of legal work, including support to the Civil Law Division through the implementation of the Interim Protocol for the Provision of Indigenous Legal Services (2021), negotiations and implementation of agreements, and providing significant support on litigation matters.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Duties will include:

• Providing legal advice and client support on high-profile, complex files including: land claims negotiation and litigation; governance issues; and government-wide support on matters involving section 35 Aboriginal and treaty rights including consultation and accommodation.
• Providing advice and supporting the development of policy and/or legislative initiatives
• Assisting clients by negotiating and drafting agreements, terms of reference, memoranda of understanding and other legal documents such as transfer payment and procurement related documents with third parties including Indigenous communities and organizations,
• Providing in-depth legal research and analysis through oral and written opinions and presentations on complex legal issues
• Briefing clients at the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation ("IAFNER"), the Ministry of the Attorney General and across government, including senior management through in-person briefings and/or the preparation of briefing materials
• Drafting briefing notes and other documents,
• Taking on special projects
• Providing litigation support to Constitutional Law Branch and Crown Law Office - Civil in cases involving IAFNER and Aboriginal law
• Providing training and education to IAFNER clients, legal colleagues and across government
• Participating on committees, in training, projects and other duties including administrative duties as assigned
• Travelling throughout Ontario may be required

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

Membership in good standing as a lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario

Knowledge and Skills

• You have demonstrated experience in Aboriginal law, including knowledge and understanding of the law relating to Aboriginal rights claims, title claims, self-government, treaty claims, and consultation with Indigenous communities, and supporting policy and program development
• You have demonstrated experience supporting complex negotiation and litigation matters involving Indigenous issues
• You have demonstrated ability to work independently and lead significant and high-profile files
• You are comfortable and effective in briefing senior officials
• You have a working knowledge of public law
• You have a proven ability to develop expertise quickly in a new subject area, conduct in-depth legal research in complex and evolving areas of law, provide cogent legal advice, draft legal opinions, agreements and other legal documents
• You are able to work under pressure within tight timeframes in a high-volume environment and effectively and collaboratively work with a team in multi-disciplinary and negotiating environments
• You have knowledge of Indigenous culture, communities and history and/or experience with Indigenous communities
• You have demonstrated exceptional judgment, analytical and interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• You have demonstrated great client service have a proven record of building relationships with clients and colleagues and of fostering and creating a culture of diversity, anti-racism, equity and wellness in the workplace.