Junior Legal Counsel

ONxpress; Toronto; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental program

RRSP with company matching

Discretionary performance-based bonus

Job summary

A leading civil engineering firm in Toronto is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide strategic legal advice for major infrastructure projects. You will oversee contracts, minimize risks, and ensure compliance with legal obligations. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree, an LL.B. or J.D., and at least 2 years of post-call experience in P3/Major Projects or procurement law. A strong understanding of Canadian contracts and excellent communication skills are crucial. Expected salary ranges from $85,000 to $110,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Post‑call legal experience: 2+ years as a lawyer in P3/Major Projects.
• Experience with claims/dispute resolution in P3/Major Projects.
• Ability to evaluate commercial risks and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Company on contractual matters and escalate risks appropriately.
• Oversee the resolution of contractual issues and minimize exposure.
• Draft and advise on a range of contractual agreements.

Skills

Strategic advice

Conflict and crisis management

Customer relationship management

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

LL.B. or J.D.

Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Metrolinx’s GO Expansion program is delivering more GO service across the network, including the capacity to deliver two-way service every 15 minutes or better on core routes. Work is already underway on new track, station renovations and infrastructure upgrades on parts of the Lakeshore, Stouffville, Kitchener and Barrie lines. The investment will generate thousands of new jobs and economic opportunities across the region. The ONxpress Civil Joint Venture is comprised of Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc. and FCC Canada Ltd. This multidisciplinary team leads the delivery of civil and track works, leveraging global expertise to introduce innovative solutions across the GO Transit network.

What You’ll Do

ONxpress Civil Joint Venture is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel. The ideal candidate will be a hands‑on self‑starter, highly motivated, proactive and energized by solving complex problems independently. Experience supporting major infrastructure, particularly involving transit, rail, or large public‑private partnerships, is essential. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills, superior oral and written communication, and the ability to anticipate and deliver legal support for a dynamic and diverse team. As Legal Counsel, you will provide advice that ensures compliance with the Company’s complex contractual and legal obligations with the aim to protect the interests, reputation and contractual position of the Company and its shareholders. Specific focus on advising the Company on claims, dispute resolution and insurance matters.

Responsibilities

• Advising and representing the Company on a wide range of contractual matters, from routine to highly complex, providing strategic influence and deciding when to escalate risks and issues appropriately to the Company’s Head of Legal, Executive Management and/or Shareholders.
• Having direct day‑to‑day, strategic oversight over resolution of contractual issues, claims and disputes, minimizing exposure and enabling commercial opportunities to be realized, and coordinating associated positions and strategy among affiliated contractors.
• Providing a strategic blend of business and legal/commercial advice to discipline leads and the Executive Management on a broad range of legal issues, such as project agreement interpretation, commercial risk transfer, legal entitlement to time and cost relief.
• Drafting and advising on a wide range of contractual agreements.
• Identifying potential legal and contractual risks impacting activities under the Project.
• Assessing whether risk impact is commercial, operational, financial, or reputational, and formulating and recommending plans to mitigate and protect against such risks and ensure risks are properly flowed down and coordinated with the affiliated consortium members.
• Ensuring the Company meets its obligations through the effective operation of the Shareholders’ Agreement and Delegation of Authority and advising on same.
• Assisting in the management of the Company’s external legal advisors and assisting in managing the day‑to‑day operations of the Company’s legal department.
• Developing, reviewing and supporting application of policies and procedures for various of the Company’s financial, technical and commercial work streams.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree
• LL.B. or J.D.
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Post‑call legal experience: 2+ years as a lawyer in the areas of P3/Major Projects, infrastructure development, construction, contracts and/or procurement law. Experience with claims/dispute resolution in the context of P3/Major Projects and experience with insured claims preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in providing strategic advice and thriving in a dynamic environment within a leading law firm, in‑house or governmental/quasi‑governmental environment.
• Ability to understand and evaluate commercial risks and opportunities and exposures to the Company and its affiliated contractors.
• High degree of familiarity with Canadian P3/Major Projects project agreements and drop‑downs, and general familiarity with relevant corporate, litigation, insurance and employment law.
• Leadership, entrepreneurship mindset and results‑oriented.
• Conflict and crisis management
• Ability to manage customer relationships.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (including Excel, Word, and Outlook).

Compensation & Benefits

Expected compensation for this role is between $85,000.00‑$110,000.00 annually. Base salaries are determined according to multiple factors including skills, experience and potential impact on the role. Internal and external competitiveness are also taken into consideration. In addition to base salary, ONxpress also offers a comprehensive medical and dental program, RRSP with company matching and the potential to participate in our discretionary, performance‑based bonus program.

This role is a newly created position.

We are an Equal Employer. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail].