Legal Counsel

Kahnawake; Kahnawake; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kahnawà:ke Legislative Services is seeking a lawyer to provide legal counselling and support for legislative development under the CDMRP. The role focuses on drafting legislation, conducting analyses, and maintaining compliance with Kanien’kehá:ka policy considerations.

Responsibilities include advising on legislation, attending hearings, and liaising with Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke Legal Services, with a strong emphasis on confidentiality and deadline management.

Qualifications

• Common and Civil law degree from a recognized Canadian university with valid license to practice law.
• 2–5 years of legal experience relevant to legislative development.
• Understanding of federal and provincial laws and policy environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counselling and support to KLS and CDMRP technical drafting committees.
• Conduct legislative analysis and review; establish drafting standards.
• Draft legislation and regulations for CDMRP, ensuring cultural relevance.
• Attend CDMRP hearings and KLC meetings; liaise with MCK Legal Services as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to policies; manage deadlines and overtime as required.

Skills

Legal analysis

Legislation drafting

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

Common and Civil law degree

Job description

Purpose:

Provides legal support to Kahnawà:ke Legislative Services (KLS) regarding legislative drafting of legislation and regulations and the Community Decision Making and Review Process (CDMRP).

Roles & Responsibilities:

To provide legal counselling and support to the KLS and CDMRP Technical Drafting Committees

• Conducts legislative analysis and review.
• Establish/Develop drafting standards.
• Prepare reference material such as indexes and tables.
• Conducts revision and consolidation of legislation.

To provide legal counselling to KLS for the purposes of legislative development

• Keeps current of the legal and political environment internally and externally, through liaising with the Legislation Portfolio Chief and assigned Portfolio Chiefs responsible for each respective legislation going through the CDMRP, while reporting back to the KLS.
• Provide advice and support with respect to the legislation for the KLS.
• Provides legal opinions related to legislative matters to the KLS.
• Attends all CDMRP Hearings as legal advisor responding to community members' questions relating to all CDMRP legislation.
• Attends all Kahnawà:ke Legislation Commission (KLC) meetings and any other Working Group meetings as required.

To draft legislation & regulations

• Develops and establishes drafting standards that consider the unique cultural attributes of the Kanien’kehá:ka, Kahnawà:ke, and the CDMRP.
• Drafts legislation and regulations for Kahnawà:ke as per the CDMRP.

To liaise with Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) Legal Services

• Represents KLS, if required, before administrative boards/tribunals, standing committees, and provides support and assistance to MCK Legal Services for litigation matters regarding Kahnawà:ke legislative development and/or Communal Laws.
  
• Performs other job-related duties pertaining to KLS as directed by the Immediate Supervisor and Second Supervisor

Education & Experience:

Common and Civil law Degree from a recognized Canadian University with a valid permit to practice law and two (2) to five (5) years of experience required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of Federal and Provincial laws.
• Knowledge of the CDMRP is an asset.
• Knowledge of Kahnawà:ke policies and programs, administration and operational procedures.
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Ability to function in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to be creative and innovative in problem-solving.
• Exceptional knowledge of fundamental elements of the legal system, legal terminology.
• Ability to manage occasional overtime.
• Ability to manage moderate to substantial deadlines and productivity pressures related to files.
• Conducts business in a tactful, discreet, and courteous manner.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adhere to the MCK Administration Manual-Personnel Policy and Kanien’kéha Language initiatives.
• Ability to communicate in Kanien’kéha and the French language is an asset.
• Willingness to learn Kanien’kéha.

Working Environment:

• Five-day work week is performed in an office environment or infrequently remotely.
• Moderate stress due to workload.
• Occasional overtime.