Senior Legal Counsel

LifeLabs is the largest community diagnostics laboratory in Canada, serving the healthcare needs of Canadians for over 50 years. Our team members are truly centred around our customers, and we know that behind every lab requisition, sample being tested, or investment in technology is an individual and their family counting on us.
Consistently named one of Canada's Best Employers by Forbes, LifeLabs has also been recognized for having an award-winning Mental Health Program from Benefits Canada. The passion and commitment of over 6,000 diverse and innovative team members unites and motivates us to ensure our customers receive high quality tests and results that they can trust.  Agile, customer-centred, caring and teamwork: we live these values every day in what we do to support our customers and healthcare providers, driving forward our vision of empowering a healthier you.
Make a difference – join the LifeLabs team today!
The Senior Legal Counsel, Labour and Employment, is a subject matter expert within the organization on labour and employment matters. The role independently carries employment litigation files and represents LifeLabs in court, administrative tribunals and boards, and arbitration proceedings. The role is responsible for ensuing that LifeLabs complies with its legal obligations and for mitigating legal risk. This is accomplished through the effective management of legal issues arising from labour and employment matters. The Senior Legal Counsel, Labour and Employment, advises on a wide array of labour and employment issues including but not limited to human rights, occupational health and safety, internal investigations, labour relations, collective agreements, grievances, and privacy. 
Core Accountabilities:
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
-Independently manage employment litigation portfolio, represent LifeLabs in court, administrative tribunals and boards, and arbitration proceedings, and oversee external litigation counsel.
-Provide timely advice and counsel on a broad range of legal matters related to labour and employment law including human rights, occupational health and safety, wrongful dismissals, terminations, labour relations, collective agreements, and grievances.
-Advise the business on legislative changes in labour and employment law that will impact the organization and draft and implement workplace policies to ensure compliance.
-Lead workplace investigations including advising/training Human Resources Department on process, tracking, corrective actions.
 
Enterprise-wide Support
-Advising and providing counsel on a broad range of legal matters related to employment law, including human rights complaints, wrongful dismissals, terminations, and organizational changes.
-Providing advice on labour relations and matters related to labour law, including collective agreements, complex grievances.
-Keeping abreast of advancements in labour and employment law and evaluating, drafting, and implementing policies.
-Ensuring that processes and procedures are in place to mitigate legal risk and to ensure that LifeLabs staff and leadership are in compliance with applicable legislation, regulations and other requirements.
-Identifying legal issues and providing counsel and support directly to LifeLabs departments, LifeLabs Executive Team and the Board on complex legal matters. 
-Drafting and developing precedents for use by the Legal Department.
-Assisting the Assistant General Counsel with the management of any legal matters, as required.
-Leading the development and implementation of enterprise-wide legal processes.
-Providing leadership/mentorship/guidance and experience to the Legal Department.
 
Training, Education, and Awareness
-Identifying, monitoring and providing updates on case law, legislative developments, and labour and employment law.
-Providing training on labour and employment matters and assist with compliance activities.
-Advising and training Human Resources Department on investigation process, tracking, and corrective action
-Advising Human Resources Department on legislative changes that will impact workplace policies and draft and implement plans to comply with such laws.
 
Enable Core Business Functions
-Participating as a key legal member of LifeLabs committees and groups.
-Providing leadership across the organization on behalf of the Legal Department.
-Acting as the LifeLabs legal representative or spokesperson within areas of expertise as required.
-Providing legal advice and counsel to enable core business functions and advance LifeLabs’ strategic priorities.
 
Strategic and Personal Development
-Acting as a key component of the business and work to engage and advance the reputation of the Legal Department.
-Building advancement within the organization and be a strong ally to the Human Resources Department. 
-Be creative and optimistic about the future of the Legal Department and show a keen desire to grow as an individual with the company.
 
Privacy
-Providing assistance from a legal perspective on privacy in the workplace.
-Assisting the Privacy Team with various legal matters.
 
Required Experience:
-Post graduate (J.D. or LLB)
-5 to 10 years of experience
-Law degree and member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
-Minimum of 5 years’ experience practicing labour and employment law and litigation at a reputable law firm or corporate legal department. 
-Strong command of Canadian labour and employment laws, regulations and best practices.
-Demonstrated experience independently carrying labour and employment litigation files with minimal supervision, including appearances at various levels of court, administrative tribunals and boards, and arbitration proceedings.
-Experience dealing with a wide range of labour and employment matters, including, but not limited to wrongful dismissal, human rights, occupational health and safety, labour relations, 
-Effectively and efficiently manage external counsel.
-Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, client relationships, organizational, leadership and project management skills.
-Experience leading and conducting complex workplace investigations
-Experience with a large company with locations in multiple provinces is an asset.
-Strong communication and influencing skills to effectively communicate and effect change with complex legal issues.
 
Hiring Range: $106,100 to $135,300
The hiring range has been established, however, the final salary recommendation will be determined based off the level of experience, education requirement, external market conditions and internal equity. 
In this position, you will be eligible for Lifelabs annual bonus.
Employee Benefits:
In this position, you will be eligible to participate LifeLabs’ group benefits plan which is available to LifeLabs employees in accordance with the terms and conditions of those plans.
Retirement Savings:
The LifeLabs plans provide members with an easy way to save for retirement. By participating in the plan, you receive contributions made to your account on your behalf from LifeLabs.
Vacation Entitlement:
In this position, you will be entitled to vacation. We promote a healthy work-life balance and expect your full vacation to be taken each year. 
Employee Wellness:
LifeLabs offers an award-winning Wellness Program focused on supporting your total health and well-being under our physical, emotional, and financial wellness pillars. We have been recognized in the industry for our focus on mental health supports.
Employee Giving program:
Designed to support any employee who donates, fundraises or volunteers for a Canadian Registered Charity or Non-Profit Organization.
In addition, LifeLabs offers professional development and membership reimbursement, access to preferred rates and discount programs - WorkPerks, Home and Auto Insurance, Costco Membership, etc. - and Optional Health-related Benefits.
Make a difference - join the LifeLabs team today!
At LifeLabs, we strive to create an inclusive and equitable workplace where our team members and the communities we serve feel accepted, valued, and respected.
In accordance with LifeLabs’ Accessibility Policy, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the Ontario Human Rights Code, accommodations are available by request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. For a confidential inquiry or to request an accommodation, your recruiter or email careerslifelabs.
Vaccinations are highly encouraged at LifeLabs’. Vaccinations may be mandatory for selected employees if regulated by provincial or regional governments, or through employer-led vaccination policies in the facilities we service. Please ensure you ask if this position requires the successful candidate to be fully vaccinated with the current Government approved COVID-19 vaccinations.
LifeLabs operates under a distributed workforce model, where employee flexibility is a key priority. Further information will be provided during the interview process on what this means for employees.