Legal Officer

Canadian Armed Forces; Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Halifax, Yellowknife, Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Canadian Armed Forces is seeking Legal Officers to deliver comprehensive legal services in operational, international, and military law. Officers will work in various capacities including advising military commanders and representing the CAF in legal matters. This unique opportunity combines legal expertise with military service, providing continuous professional development in specialized law fields.

Qualifications

• Must be a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial law society.
• Experience in legal clinic work or articling under supervision preferred.
• Ongoing legal education in military and operational law required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on international and domestic law to military commanders.
• Represent clients at Court Martial and other legal proceedings.
• Deliver training on military law and legal issues to military personnel.

Skills

Operational law

International law

Military law

Military justice

Education

Provincial Bar membership

Job description

As a member of the military, Legal Officers deliver legal services in the fields of operational law, international law, training, military personnel law, and military justice.

As a member of the military, Legal Officers deliver legal services in the fields of operational law, international law, training, military personnel law, and military justice.

The primary responsibilities of a Legal Officer include:

• Providing advice on international and domestic law to the commander of a deployed force
• Providing general legal advice and services to the commanding officer of a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Base
• Providing advice on operational legal issues at National Defence Headquarters
• Representing clients at Court Martial and appearing before the Court Martial Appeal Court
• Representing the interests of the CAF and the Department of National Defence (DND) as:
  • A member of a Canadian delegation negotiating international treaties
  • A member of the military liaison staff at an allied headquarters
  • Delivering training on military law and military justice

Work environment

Legal Officers are members of the Legal Branch of the CAF. This branch is commanded by the Judge Advocate General (JAG) that acts as legal adviser to the Governor General, the Minister of National Defence, the DND and the CAF in matters relating to military law and administers military justice in the CAF.

The Office of the JAG provides the military justice system with military judges, prosecution and defence counsel. A Legal Officer may also work at the Office of the DND/CAF Legal Adviser, working in such areas as legislative drafting, pensions, claims and administrative law. A Legal Officer could also be appointed to the military bench, to serve in the independent Office of the Chief Military Judge.

If you chose a career in theRegular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

I’m Lieutenant Navy Derek Schroeder from Ottawa, Ontario. I’m a Legal Officer serving as Deputy Judge Advocate at CFB Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I’m Captain Francesca Ferguson from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I’m a Legal Officer and I’m currently serving as Deputy Judge Advocate in Canadian Forces Base Borden, Ontario.

FERGUSON: Legal Officers work in courtroom and administrative settings with all three environments of the Forces. We’re legal advisors to the chain of command and experts in international and domestic law applicable to CF operations and military discipline.

SCHROEDER: When deployed overseas, Legal Officers take on responsibilities such as working with Canadian and allied forces, local officials and international organizations such as the United Nations. We’re both military officers and lawyers who are field-ready experts in the law of armed conflict and military justice.

It really is a unique legal practice. One day you could be deploying in support of a peacekeeping mission. On another you might be on Parliament Hill supporting the Minister of National Defence on a bill progressing through Parliament.

FERGUSON: Legal officers deal with complex legal issues early in our careers. I am a new Captain in the branch, and I get the opportunity to write legal opinions that go directly to the Chain of Command, who value my advice.

SCHROEDER: Many Legal Officers think of their international and domestic deployments as the highlight of their careers. Now that I’ve done my legal and my military training, I’m really looking forward to the challenge and the excitement of taking part in one of the Forces’ international operations.

FERGUSON: Legal Officers must already have been admitted to a provincial Bar before joining the Forces, but there’s no requirement for prior military experience of any kind.

SCHROEDER: After your enrolment, you’ll go through the same Basic Military Officer Qualification as every other officer in the Forces.

FERGUSON: Then, you’ll be under the umbrella of the Office of the JAG, the Judge Advocate General. During your first year, you’ll be employed as a legal officer, but you’ll also spend a significant part of your time on military legal education and professional development.

There’s quite a steep learning curve. The fields of law we practice are quite specialized and are not typically taught in law school. New lawyers must learn the basics of operational law, military justice and military administrative law. You’re also provided with ongoing learning opportunities, so you can continuously strengthen your skills as you move up the ranks.

SCHROEDER: As a Legal Officer, you never stop learning – military criminal law, maritime law, national security law. There’s always a new challenge and a new opportunity to grow.

FERGUSON: Most Legal Officers begin their career at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa where you’ll be working on a wide range of files with a team that’s similar to a medium-sized civilian law firm.

SCHROEDER: Other Legal Officers are posted to Forces bases in Canada or in places like Germany, Belgium or the United States.

FERGUSON: As a base legal advisor, I face new challenges every day. The units come to me with questions that need to be resolved, and it is my job to determine what the legal issues are, and how to respond effectively. Whether it’s related to discipline or questions of an administrative nature, my advice can have a serious impact on a member’s career.

SCHROEDER: I became a lawyer because I wanted to serve my community - I wanted to help people. And there’s no question about it. As a Legal Officer, I provide advice and influence decisions that can have a very significant impact on people’s lives.

FERGUSON: I get to say that it’s part of my job to go into a foreign country, often into a conflict zone, to address international legal issues. And I have to admit - that’s pretty exciting.

SCHROEDER: If you have the ability and the desire to do something different, to serve Canada, to do something both deeply challenging and rewarding, then becoming a Legal Officer in the Forces may just be the right move for you.

All Legal Officers must be admitted to the Bar of a Canadian province or territory, and be a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial law society.

If you have graduated within the last two years, you must have practice experience within the last two years. This experience may include clinic work or articling experience under the supervision of a licensed lawyer in Canadian Criminal Law, International Law, Administrative Law, Labour and Employment Law or Human Rights Law.

If it has been more than two years since you graduated from Law School, you must have practised law on a full-time basis in Canada since graduation. If you have not worked as a lawyer since law school and you graduated more than two years ago, you may have your legal experience evaluated by the Office of the JAG to determine suitability. This will be done after you have applied to the CAF.

Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.