Litigation Associate

MLT Aikins LLP; Regina; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MLT Aikins is seeking a motivated associate lawyer with 1-3 years of municipal law experience to join the Regina office. The role offers exposure to advisory and litigation matters for municipalities across Saskatchewan.

The successful candidate will advise councils, draft bylaws and policies, and represent municipalities in civil litigation, with mentorship and client contact in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Membership in good standing with a Canadian Law Society (Law Society of Saskatchewan or eligible for mobility/transfer).
• A minimum of one to three years of experience in municipal law, or in civil litigation with a demonstrated interest in municipal and public law.
• Familiarity with The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act and The Planning and Development Act, 2007.
• Strong research, analytical and legal writing skills.
• Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal and client service skills, including the ability to explain legal issues clearly to elected officials and staff.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple files and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Advising municipal councils, administrators and staff on governance, statutory authority, council procedure, conflicts of interest and codes of conduct.
• Drafting and reviewing bylaws, policies, resolutions and municipal agreements, including servicing, development and inter-municipal agreements.
• Advising on planning, zoning, subdivision and development matters, as well as property assessment and taxation.
• Representing municipalities in civil litigation, including negligence, contract, construction and expropriation claims.
• Appearing in judicial reviews, appeals and hearings before administrative tribunals and boards including the Saskatchewan Municipal Board.
• Assisting with bylaw enforcement and prosecutions.
• Advising on access to information and protection of privacy, elections, procurement and employment matters affecting local governments.
• Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda, opinions, pleadings and written submissions.

Skills

Municipal law

Civil litigation

Legal writing

Research

Client service

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Law Society of Saskatchewan membership

Job description

MLT Aikins is a full-service law firm of more than 375 lawyers across the four western provinces. Named one of Canada’s best law firms by the Globe and Mail, MLT Aikins is the only law firm to have offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Regina and Winnipeg. As one of the largest firms in Canada, we have the bench strength and geographic scope to meet the increasingly complex needs of clients.

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented associate lawyer with one to three years of experience in municipal law, or in litigation with a demonstrated interest in municipal law, to join the advocacy group in our Regina office. Our Municipal team advises and represents cities, towns, villages, rural municipalities and other local authorities and public bodies across Saskatchewan on the full range of legal issues they face in serving their communities.

This associate lawyer’s role will involve a wide variety of advisory and litigation matters, including:

• Advising municipal councils, administrators and staff on governance, statutory authority, council procedure, conflicts of interest and codes of conduct
• Drafting and reviewing bylaws, policies, resolutions and municipal agreements, including servicing, development and inter-municipal agreements
• Advising on planning, zoning, subdivision and development matters, as well as property assessment and taxation
• Representing municipalities in civil litigation, including negligence, contract, construction and expropriation claims
• Appearing in judicial reviews, appeals and hearings before administrative tribunals and boards including the Saskatchewan Municipal Board
• Assisting with bylaw enforcement and prosecutions
• Advising on access to information and protection of privacy, elections, procurement and employment matters affecting local governments
• Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda, opinions, pleadings and written submissions

This is an opportunity to join a top-tier law firm, to work on diverse and meaningful files that directly affect communities across the province and to learn from skilled lawyers in a collaborative environment. The successful candidate will receive mentorship and hands-on experience, including client contact and court and tribunal appearances, while developing their understanding of municipal law and public sector litigation.

Qualifications include:

• Membership in good standing with a Canadian Law Society (Law Society of Saskatchewan or eligible for mobility/transfer)
• A minimum of one to three years of experience in municipal law, or in civil litigation with a demonstrated interest in municipal and public law
• Familiarity with The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act and The Planning and Development Act, 2007.
• Strong research, analytical and legal writing skills
• Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal and client service skills, including the ability to explain legal issues clearly to elected officials and staff
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple files and meet deadlines
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Our Diversity Statement

MLT Aikins is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building an inclusive and diverse work environment. Our principles of diversity, equity and inclusion create a space for everyone to collaborate, allowing us to deliver excellent and increasingly innovative legal service to our clients. We encourage individuals of a diverse group to apply to our job postings.

We welcome and encourage individuals who identify as members of Indigenous communities, and those who identify as belonging to diverse groups, including but not limited to persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation, to disclose this in their application.