Legal Counsel

Employer: Bruce Grey Child and Family Services

POSITION: Legal Counsel

POSTING #: 2025-10

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-Union, Permanent, Full-time

LOCATION: Owen Sound, Ontario and Walkerton, Ontario

EMPLOYMENT ADDRESS:

1. 640 2nd Ave East Owen Sound, ON N4K 2G8
2. 5 McGivern Street West Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0

SALARY: $ 113,659.00 CAD/year

HOURS PER WEEK: 35 hours/week

LANGUAGE: English

Contact: Please send resumes to hr@bgcfs.ca and include “Legal Counsel” in the email subject line.

Benefits:

• Eligible for dental insurance, life insurance, extended medical insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance;
• Eligible for OMERS pension plan;
• Eligible for salary increases in accordance with company policy;
• Eligible for a health spending and wellness account;
• Eligible for meal allowances, personal vehicle insurance reimbursement of $250; CAA “Plus” membership reimbursement; and
• Eligible for Management Compensatory Days.

Duties:

Court Related Activities:

• Prepares cases for presentation in court by coordinating the gathering of all information and evidence, drafting and/or reviewing pleadings, affidavits, briefs, and other documents for filing with the court and preparing witnesses.
• Represents the BGCFS in all levels of the courts and tribunals in relation to CYFSA, Children’s Law Reform Act, Family Law Act, and other statutes in both contested and uncontested matters including adjournments, contested motions, motions for summary judgment, hearings, conferences, motions for disclosure and trials, appeals.
• Prepares and documents all legal issues, processes, and case activities/ dispositions.
• Negotiates settlements where possible.
• Represents the agency with respect to any litigation involving disclosure of agency records.
• Represents the BGCFS in Child Abuse Register expunction hearings.
• Ensures documentation of all legal issues, processes, and case activities in accordance with established procedures.
• Provides assistance, where required, in the preparation of legal notice and documentation of court related matters.
• Assists the Child Protection Workers as required in their preparation to appear on criminal matters and on family law related matters.
• Liaises with other outside agency lawyers with respect to court applications.
• Liaises with parents and/or counsel representing the parents and children’s counsel or the Crown as the case may be.

Legal Consultation:

• Provides legal advice and services to BGCFS staff on the interpretation and application of the CYFSA and other legislation pertaining to child welfare or family law.
• Provides legal consultation with staff regarding case planning, abuse registration, adoption issues, etc.
• Participates in case conferencing, decision making forums and advises where appropriate on case management issues.

Relationship Management:

• Demonstrates behaviours, actions and attitudes that are consistent with BGCFS’s vision, mission, and values.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships at all levels of the agency in order to build trust and confidence in the services provided.
• Establishes positive relationships with key stakeholders, internal and external to the BGCFS such as agency staff, judges and employees of the Ontario Courts, Public Health, medical professionals, the OACAS and OCCAS and other collateral, community resources and organizations in the community.
• Provides liaison with community counsel contracted to offer assistance with trials and back up agency counsel.
• Shares information according to privacy and/or confidentiality guidelines.
• Ensures appropriate communication with appropriate manager at appropriate time.
• Respects ethnic, spiritual, linguistic, familial, and cultural differences.

Team Building:

• Develops professional working relationships with team members.
• Works respectfully, positively, and collaboratively within a team environment sharing experiences and lessons learned.
• Actively participates and engages in team and staff meetings training sessions and other meetings/sessions as required.
• Supports the team and works with team members to ensure department needs are met including absence coverage.

Other Related Activities:

• Prepares and presents training programs for BGCFS staff, foster parents, and others as applicable regarding pertinent aspects of the CYFSA or other legislation related to BGCFS business.
• Knows and adheres to all applicable BGCFS policies, procedures, and relevant administrative practices.
• Strives to meet or exceed all accountabilities and achieve continuous quality improvement and excellence in all activities and outcomes.
• Participates in mandatory learning/education to maintain and update skills and knowledge whenever deemed necessary.
• Implements new procedures and controls deemed necessary by management.
• Assists in the training and orientation of peers.
• Works in compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario and the regulations.
• Participates on internal and/or external committees as required.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as required.

Requirements:

• Two to three years of undergraduate studies, a bachelor's degree from a recognized law school, successful completion of the bar examination and completion of a period of articling are required.
• Membership in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
• 1-2 years of experience representing children, parents, or a Children’s Aid Society in CYFSA or Family Law proceedings.
• Excellent knowledge of case preparation, presentation and litigation techniques and alternative dispute resolution strategies.
• Advanced knowledge of legislation governing child welfare including CYFSA, Family Law Rules, Rules of Evidence, Ontario Courts of Justice Act, regulations, and related statutes.
• Basic knowledge of relevant CAS/industry computer applications such as CPIN Knowledge and experience in the application of related legal theory and practice.
• Excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills providing constructive, meaningful, and timely interaction with all levels of staff.
• Demonstrates critical thinking and analytical thinking with attention to detail in the presence of frequent interruptions.
• Excellent ability to make decisions of sound judgment and provide legal advice.
• Flexible, adaptable, and responsive to change.
• Ability to deal with highly sensitive and personal information in a confidential manner.
• Advanced ability to analyze information, problem-solve and make solid recommendations.
• Self-directed with an excellent ability to organize, plan, prioritize and multi-task.
• Acts with integrity, trustworthiness, humility, transparency, and compassion.
• Excellent ability to work with and meet tight, critical timelines.
• Participate in regular meetings with children, families, and other professionals.
• Multi-tasks within a fast-paced, high-volume, and demanding environment.
• Absorbs and interprets information from multiple parties on a regular basis.
• Required to listen to and reconcile multiple points of view being discussed/presented.
• Frequent travel within the BGCFS region and occasional travel to the three BGCFS office sites.
• May be exposed to potentially hazardous environments including driving conditions, volatile situations, and visits to client’s homes.
• Occasional lifting of children or heavy objects may be required.
• Must have a valid Ontario Driver’s License and reliable transportation.