Legal Counsel, Planning & Development Law

Req ID: 24732
Vacancy Type: Permanent 
Number of Positions: 1  
Closing Date: 03/22/2024
Job Summary
This role with the City of Mississauga calls for a confident planning and Development Lawyer with experience in municipal, planning and Development Law, including Tribunal litigation and dispute resolution.   
The City of Mississauga’s Legal Services Division is a full-service law department that handles a wide variety of interesting and rewarding files that directly impact the way people live, work and play in Mississauga.  Legal Counsel are supported in their work by experienced and skilled law clerks, legal assistants and articling students and have access to the technology and software they need to do their work efficiently and easily. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled lawyer to practice with the support of a collegial and collaborative team, to build lasting relationships with their clients and knowledge of their operations, and to escape business development pressures.
 
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Manager, Planning & Development Law, the successful candidate will: 
•    Provide strategic and legal advice to City Council, Senior Leadership and City staff on a variety of municipal, planning and Development Law matters
•    Take carriage of matters relating to all aspects of planning and Development Law, including appeals, Committee of Adjustment, policy development, development agreements, heritage and growth charges
•    Represent the City at the Ontario Land Tribunal and in court, as needed
•    Conduct legal research and draft reports, legal opinions, legal agreements, by-laws and resolutions, in a timely manner
•    Anticipate and address legal issues to protect the interests of the City and reduce exposure to legal risks
•    Advise staff regarding legislation, regulatory requirements and developments in case law impacting City operations
•    Provide practical and legally defensible solutions to problems and support staff in achieving the City’s strategic goals and priorities 
•    Retain and instruct external lawyers and consultants, as required, and review their accounts for compliance with billing guidelines
•    Provide functional direction to law clerks, legal assistants and articling students working within the Planning and Development Law Section
•    Conduct staff training on planning and Development Law issues, as needed
•    Perform other duties as assigned 
 
Skills and Qualifications
•    Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario, with a university degree in law (LLB or JD) and an L1 Licence to practice law in Ontario
•    Progressive experience in planning and Development Law. Experience in the public sector is an asset 
•    Effective oral advocacy with the ability to clearly and persuasively communicate complex information to a variety of audiences, including decision-makers, mediators, Council, stakeholders, and City staff at all levels
•    Excellent writing skills and the ability to draft legally defensible agreements, clear and concise reports, and persuasive legal opinions
•    Sound judgement and effective negotiating skills
•    Experience representing parties before the Ontario Land Tribunal, including conducting hearings and participating in mediations 
•    Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively 
•    Strong legal research skills and facility using digital/online reference materials and tools
•    Strong organization and time-management skills and the proven ability to meet deadlines and prioritize work
•    Willingness and ability to practice law using paperless files, with the assistance of legal document management and case management software.
 
Hourly Rate/Salary: $ 128,062.00 - $ 170,749.00 
Hours of Work: 35 
Work Location: Civic Centre 
Department/Division/Section: CMO/City Manager's Office , CMO/Legal Services , Planning, Development, & Real Estate 
Non-Union/Union: Non Union 
A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (Level 2) or Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) will be required of the successful candidate, at their own expense, to verify the absence of a criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted.
We thank all who apply, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. You can also check your application status in your candidate profile online. 
All personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act. 
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City of Mississauga is committed to creating a respectful and supportive workplace that fosters a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion which broadly reflects the communities and residents we serve. Throughout the employee life cycle, the City is working to include an EDI lens to attract, retain and support the growth of diverse talent. 
Learn more about the City’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Accommodations
The City of Mississauga is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to removing barriers in our selection process for people with visible and invisible disabilities. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the City of Mississauga will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. 
If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please Apply at recruitmentmississauga.ca with any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.