General Counsel, Legal Aid Ontario

Odgers Berndtson; Toronto; On-site; CAD 160,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent legal services organization in Toronto is seeking a forward-thinking General Counsel to provide strategic legal guidance. The role involves overseeing a broad legal portfolio, including litigation and compliance, and advising senior leadership. Ideal candidates should have at least 10 years of legal experience and demonstrate a commitment to public service and diversity.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressive legal experience.
• Strong record of leading high-performing teams.
• Expertise in guiding litigation, business law, and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Board of Directors and senior leadership.
• Oversee a broad legal portfolio.
• Strengthen Board governance through policy oversight and best practices.

Skills

Strategic legal guidance

Public law

Litigation

Governance

Regulatory compliance

Superior communication skills

Job description

Overview

General Counsel, Legal Aid Ontario

Toronto, ON

Salary band : $160,000 – $185,000

One of the largest providers of legal services in North America, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) has a statutory mandate to promote access to justice throughout Ontario for low-income individuals by providing consistently high quality legal aid services in a cost-effective and efficient manner and encouraging and facilitating flexibility and innovation in the provision of legal aid services. An agency of the Government of Ontario, and accountable to the Attorney General for the performance of the Agency, Legal Aid Ontario offers a range of legal services through a mixed services delivery model in both official languages, extending from summary legal advice to full representation.

Building on this important mandate, Legal Aid Ontario is seeking a forward-thinking General Counsel to provide strategic legal guidance and contribute to high-level decision-making across the organization. This role will advise the Board of Directors, President & CEO, and senior leadership, ensuring operations are legally sound, ethically grounded, and aligned with LAO’s public mandate. The General Counsel will oversee a broad legal portfolio, including litigation, regulatory compliance, business law, privacy, eligibility review, and internal audit, while guiding legislative and policy development. As Corporate Secretary, the role will also strengthen Board governance through policy oversight, training, and best practices, fostering a culture of integrity and collaboration in support of LAO’s mission.

To succeed in this role, LAO is seeking a strategic and principled leader who will serve as both a trusted advisor and collaborative partner across the organization. The ideal candidate brings at least 10 years of progressive legal experience across areas such as public law, litigation, governance, and regulatory compliance, paired with a strong record of leading high-performing teams in complex environments. They will demonstrate exceptional strategic acumen, the ability to manage risk, and expertise in guiding litigation, business law, and policy development. With superior communication skills and a deep commitment to public service, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, this individual will help shape LAO’s culture of integrity, compliance, and accessible justice.

To fill this position, Legal Aid Ontario has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online ideally by September 19th, 2025.

We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

Responsibilities

The General Counsel will advise the Board of Directors, President & CEO, and senior leadership to ensure operations are legally sound and aligned with LAO’s public mandate. The role will oversee a broad legal portfolio, including litigation, regulatory compliance, business law, privacy, eligibility review, and internal audit, and will guide legislative and policy development. As Corporate Secretary, the role will strengthen Board governance through policy oversight, training, and best practices, fostering a culture of integrity and collaboration in support of LAO’s mission.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have at least 10 years of progressive legal experience across areas such as public law, litigation, governance, and regulatory compliance, with a strong track record of leading high-performing teams in complex environments. They should demonstrate exceptional strategic acumen, the ability to manage risk, and expertise in guiding litigation, business law, and policy development. Superior communication skills and a deep commitment to public service, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging are essential.

Appointment process

To fill this position, Legal Aid Ontario has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online ideally by September 19th, 2025.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Legal Aid Ontario is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and Legal Aid Ontario throughout the recruitment, selection and / or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Form.