Litigation Associate

OKT Law; Victoria; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Extended health benefits

General spending account

Gym membership subsidy

Mentorship program

Job summary

Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP (OKT) in Victoria, BC, is seeking a litigation associate to advance Indigenous self-determination through court and tribunal advocacy. You will advise Indigenous governments and organizations on a wide range of matters, from constitutional and corporate law to environmental and election issues, across Canada, with regular in-office collaboration and travel to client communities.

The role offers a collaborative culture, mentorship for career development, and

Qualifications

• 3-6 years of demonstrated litigation experience.
• Strong interest in Indigenous people’s self-determination and Indigenous rights advocacy.
• Excellent litigation skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral advocacy.
• Proven commitment to working with Indigenous people and governments.
• Ability to develop creative legal arguments and strategies to solve problems and support Indigenous nations and their organizations.
• Exceptional analytical, research and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge and experience navigating court and administrative tribunal processes.
• Desire to work in a hybrid environment from one of OKT’s offices, with regular in-office collaboration and flexibility to travel to our clients’ communities across Canada.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support Indigenous peoples through advocacy in court and at administrative tribunals.
• Contribute to cases ranging from Supreme Court interventions to environmental regulatory tribunals.
• Work on constitutional, corporate/contract, environmental, employment, election law topics.
• Participate in all stages of litigation from planning to court, mediation and negotiation.

Skills

Litigation experience

Indigenous rights advocacy

Written advocacy

Oral advocacy

Client collaboration

Legal research

Negotiation

Court and tribunal processes

Travel readiness

Creative argumentation

Job description

FIRM DESCRIPTION

At Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP (OKT), our core purpose is advocating for Indigenous rights, interests, and self-determination. We are driven by a simple priority: helping our clients achieve their own goals.

We understand the practical challenges that Indigenous governments, organizations, and peoples face when revitalizing their own laws and engaging with the wide range of Canadian law - whether in the community, the courts, in the boardroom, or at the negotiating table. We develop legal strategies collaboratively with our clients, with Indigenous self-determination at the foundation of everything we do.

THE ROLE

Position Type: New Position

We are looking to add a litigation associate to our team at OKT. In this role, the successful candidate will advise and support Indigenous peoples and organizations through advocacy in court and at administrative tribunals. Our litigation practice includes a wide variety of cases, from Supreme Court interventions and multi-year Aboriginal title trials, to small claims, environmental regulatory tribunals and judicial reviews. As part of our litigation group, you may have the opportunity to work on cases in the areas of constitutional law, corporate and contract law, environmental protection, employment law, election law, and many other topics – always focussed on supporting and advancing our clients’ self-determination. As part of this work, you will be involved in all stages of the litigation process, from case planning to court to mediation and negotiation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3-6 years of demonstrated litigation experience.
• Strong interest in Indigenous people’s self-determination and Indigenous rights advocacy.
• Excellent litigation skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral advocacy.
• Proven commitment to working with Indigenous people and governments.
• Ability to develop creative legal arguments and strategies to solve problems and support Indigenous nations and their organizations.
• Exceptional analytical, research and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge and experience navigating court and administrative tribunal processes.
• Desire to work in a hybrid environment from one of OKT’s offices, with regular in-office collaboration and flexibility to travel to our clients’ communities across Canada.

STRONG ASSETS

• Familiarity with indigenous legal orders, languages and laws.
• Experience litigating disputes related to Indigenous governments and businesses.
• Demonstrated experience and excellence in litigation skills such as:
  • Drafting pleadings and affidavits.
  • Participating in case theory development and litigation planning.
  • Preparing, conducting and/or defending witness examinations.
  • Instructing and working with witnesses
• Familiarity with commercial litigation.
• Experience litigating in Western Canada, Atlantic Canada, or the Territories.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AND A STRONG FIRM CULTURE

OKT is committed to excellence in the quality of our advocacy, in our relationships with clients, and in the way we work together. Our success is built on the strength of our client partnerships, the exceptional talent within our team, and an unwavering dedication to our clients’ success.

We strive to foster a collegial, supportive, and inclusive work environment where everyone is encouraged to contribute, grow, and thrive.

• We offer a competitive salary, extended health benefits, a general spending account and a subsidized gym membership for articling students, associates, and support staff.
• For associates, we also provide a structured mentorship program to help you develop your skills, build confidence, and thrive in your legal career.

WORKING AT OKT

OKT understands today’s expectations of a flexible work environment. At the same time, our work frequently takes us beyond the office and into the communities we serve, allowing us to build strong relationships and better understand our clients’ needs.

Associates should expect to travel to client communities across the country by plane, train, and car as part of our commitment to providing meaningful, on-the-ground representation.

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN RECRUITMENT

OKT may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process, such as organizing applications or identifying relevant qualifications. AI is not used to make hiring decisions. All hiring decisions are made by our hiring managers and Human Resources professionals.

Any AI tools used are subject to appropriate privacy, security, and risk assessments and are applied in a manner consistent with OKT’s commitment to fairness, inclusion, and human-centred decision-making.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

OKT has implemented proactive recruitment strategies aimed at mitigating direct and systemic discrimination. We remain committed to an equitable hiring process that reaches and supports a diverse pool of candidates, and we strongly encourage Indigenous applicants and individuals from equity-deserving communities to apply. OKT also supports applicants with disabilities by offering accommodations throughout the recruitment process that take individual accessibility needs into account.

If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process or need assistance to submit your application, please contact us at 416-981-9330 and ask to be transferred to the VP, of People & Marketing to submit your accommodation request.

DEMOGRAPHIC SURVEY

As part of our ongoing commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, OKT invites applicants to complete a short, optional demographic survey. The information collected will help us assess and strengthen our EDI initiatives.

Participation in the survey is voluntary. Choosing not to provide information will not affect your application or how it is considered. All information will be kept confidential and secure and will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating OKT’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

The survey should take approximately 3-5 minutes to complete.