Description:
Represents the University in legal proceedings and provides legal services to the University in the conduct of its activities. The primary areas of practice include the following: representing the University before courts and tribunals and providing legal advice and opinion on a wide variety of employment and labour relations matters, for example, grievances, arbitrations, wrongful dismissal actions, human rights, employment standards, employment contracts, policy matters, occupational health and safety, pension and benefits, faculty and staff immigration matters and participating in collective agreement negotiations.
General accountabilities
- Negotiates, drafts, reviews legal documents, such as pleadings, court or tribunal documents, agreements, settlements and other legal instruments.
- Drafts, reviews and provides legal advice on University policies and procedures.
- Conducts legal research and provides legal advice and opinion.
- Remains current on legislation and legislative changes affecting the University and on developments at common law and provides legal advice on appropriate operational, compliance and/or policy responses.
- Manages outside counsel retained by the University or by the University’s insurer, as required.
- Establishes and prioritizes goals and objectives in connection with the primary areas of practice of this position and general responsibilities.
- Assists with the development of training on legal aspects for University staff.
- Handles other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- LL.B or J.D. and member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario
- Minimum 10 years of practicing law, including at least 8 years’ prior experience in the primary areas of practice identified above
- Knowledge and experience across a variety of areas of the law affecting the University, for example, intellectual property law, contract law, and administrative law.
- Strong oral and written communication skills in both English and French
- Ability to handle complex legal issues with no significant professional guidance or supervision
- Superior analyst, negotiator and presenter of legal points
- Excellent judgment, clear and critical thinking, superior writing and reasoning skills, persuasiveness, the ability to command respect, and unquestioned integrity and discretion.
- Strong planning skills and a positive, approachable can-do attitude with problem-solving skills
- Ability to quickly learn a variety of areas of the law and provide reliable legal advice and opinion
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Skilled at interpersonal relations, particularly the ability to forge consensus out of divergent views of many different University constituents without losing their trust and confidence and the temperament .to work with a wide variety of personalities
- Ability to manage time effectively, which in turn supports the ability to handle many matters simultaneously
- Confidence without arrogance and the ability to react calmly in a crisis
- Professional and thoughtful demeanor, including objectivity and detachment when needed
- This position may be eligible for a telework arrangement. Learn more about our telework guidelines click here