Crown 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.
The Ministry of the Attorney General, Civil Law Division, has an immediate opening for a counsel to join the Legal Services Branch of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

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 Aboriginal law matters as they arise throughout the Ministry's mandate, including in the areas of environmental protection and assessment, water and drinking water, endangered species, Provincial Parks and other areas of MECP's mandate. Legal advice and support may include the following matters:
- issues involving section 35 Aboriginal and treaty rights including consultation and accommodation and formal advice on the Duty to Consult
- litigation support and liaison for litigation involving Indigenous issues
- land claims matters and supporting the client in land claims negotiations
• Providing advice and supporting the development of policy and/or legislative initiatives
• Conducting legal research and providing verbal and written opinions and presentations
• Preparing briefing materials and briefing Ministry clients as required

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

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

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated experience in Aboriginal law, including knowledge and understanding of the law relating to Aboriginal rights, treaty claims, the Duty to Consult, title claims, self-government, and related matters.
• Demonstrated experience supporting litigation matters involving Indigenous issues
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in environmental law
• Demonstrated judgment and analytical skills; strategic, solution-oriented advice
• Ability to identify, manage and problem solve contentious issues
• Ability to handle a high-volume practice and advise on urgent matters with short turnaround time
• Experience working collaboratively and constructively in teams of diverse members
• Client service and interpersonal skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to use computers and related software