Legal Counsel

BYD North America; Toronto; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

BYD North America in Canada seeks a Legal Counsel to oversee all legal matters related to BYD’s operations in Canada. The role provides strategic legal guidance to senior management and business teams, ensuring compliance and protecting commercial interests.

You will handle commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, disputes, risk management, and cross-border matters, supporting BYD’s growth in the Canadian automotive market with practical, business-focused advice and collaboration with global

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized university.
• Admission to the Bar in Canada or another common law jurisdiction.
• Minimum 8 years of legal experience as in-house counsel or at a reputable international law firm.
• Strong experience in commercial contracts, corporate law, and regulatory compliance.
• Automotive or mobility sector experience is a strong asset.
• Experience in cross-border or multi-jurisdictional matters is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of complex commercial agreements including automotive finance, dealer and distributor, fleet sales and procurement.
• Provide day-to-day legal advice to identify, assess, and manage legal risks across business units.
• Support compliance programs, governance requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate with global legal teams and external counsel on cross-border matters and disputes.
• Partner with Sales, Finance, Procurement, HR, and Operations from a legal perspective.
• Develop and implement risk management strategies and provide practical legal guidance for business initiatives.

Skills

Commercial contracts

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Cross-border transactions

Negotiation & drafting

English & French communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in law

Bar admission (Canada or common law jurisdiction)

Job description

The Legal Counsel is responsible for overseeing all legal matters related to BYD’s operations in Canada. This role serves as a key legal advisor to senior management and business teams, ensuring full compliance with applicable laws and regulations while safeguarding the company’s commercial interests.

The successful candidate will provide strategic and practical legal guidance across commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and risk management, supporting BYD’s growth in the Canadian automotive market.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Contracts & Transaction Support

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of complex commercial agreements, including but not limited to:
• Automotive finance agreements
• Dealer and distributor agreements
• Fleet sales agreements
• Supply and procurement contracts
• Operational and service-related agreements
• Ensure contracts align with corporate policies, business objectives, and applicable legal frameworks.
• Provide legal risk assessment and mitigation strategies for business transactions.

Legal Advisory & Risk Management

• Provide day-to-day legal advice to business units to identify, assess, and manage legal risks.
• Support management with clear, practical, and commercially oriented legal guidance.
• Develop and implement legal risk management strategies across business operations.
• Monitor legal developments and regulatory changes impacting the automotive industry in Canada.

Compliance & Governance

• Support corporate compliance programs, including regulatory compliance, internal policies, and governance requirements.
• Provide guidance on ethical standards, corporate conduct, and regulatory obligations.
• Develop and deliver compliance training and risk awareness programs for internal stakeholders.
• Manage and coordinate legal disputes, claims, litigation, and arbitration matters.
• Liaise with external counsel and manage outside legal service providers.
• Develop case strategies and ensure efficient resolution of legal disputes.

Cross-Functional Business Support

• Partner closely with Sales, Finance, Procurement, Network Development, HR, and Operations teams.
• Support business initiatives including market expansion, dealer network development, and financial services programs from a legal perspective.
• Translate complex legal issues into practical business solutions.

Internal Coordination & Legal Strategy

• Collaborate with global and regional legal teams to ensure alignment on legal standards and policies.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of legal frameworks and best practices.
• Provide legal input on strategic initiatives and cross-border transactions where applicable.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized university is required.
• Admission to the Bar in Canada or another common law jurisdiction is required.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 8 years of legal experience as in-house counsel or in a reputable international law firm.
• Strong experience in commercial contracts, corporate law, and regulatory compliance.
• Automotive, mobility, or industrial sector experience is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in cross-border or multi-jurisdictional legal matters is highly desirable.
• Strong expertise in commercial negotiation and contract drafting.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple complex matters under tight deadlines.
• Strong business acumen with a practical, solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across global teams.
• Excellent communication skills in English and French (written and spoken).