Partner/Senior Associate Lawyer

VenorTalent; Halifax; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Atlantic Canada is seeking a dynamic lawyer to join their Halifax office. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of commercial litigation and insolvency matters, mentor junior associates, and assist with business development. Ideal for candidates seeking an impactful role without the bureaucracy of big firms. Competitive candidates may find partnership opportunities as the practice expands.

Benefits

High autonomy in work

Direct impact on key transactions

Opportunities for leadership and growth

Qualifications

• Strong corporate/commercial background including insolvency/restructuring exposure.
• Relentless commitment to excellence and delivering results.
• Ability to handle tough negotiations and shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a high-quality portfolio of commercial litigation and related matters.
• Lead significant files from strategy to successful resolution.
• Mentor junior associates and provide leadership in the office.

Skills

Commercial litigation experience

Corporate/commercial transactional background

Insolvency/restructuring exposure

Strong negotiation skills

Job description

O’Keefe & Sullivan is Atlantic Canada’s leading company-side restructuring and litigation boutique. Ranked #1 nationally by Insolvency Insider (H1 2025) for the most CCAA applicant-counsel filings, O’Keefe & Sullivan pairs a collegial and collaborative team culture with big-firm expertise delivering high-quality work and the best outcomes for clients. Our Halifax office is a key part in our regional network, and we’re seeking to grow our legal leadership team in this office servicing clients throughout the Atlantic Region.
Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced lawyer to join our Halifax office in a senior capacity, Depending on experience and client base, we have an open position for a partner or senior associate. The successful candidate will:

• Manage a high-quality portfolio of commercial litigation, insolvency, restructuring, and similar or related corporate law and transactional matters
• Lead significant files from strategy to successful negotiation or other resolution, interacting with clients, commercial counterparties, opposing counsel, and courts
• Mentor and respectfully and successfully supervise junior associates, provide leadership in the office, and contribute to overall firm strategy
• Assist with business development, client relationships, and expanding the firm’s reach in Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada and beyond
• Participate in office and firm governance, decision-making, with potential equity ownership (for partner‑level candidates)
  

Ideal Candidate

• Strong corporate/commercial/transactional background including with insolvency/restructuring exposure (CCAA/BIA arrangements/enforcement, receiverships, plans) and commercial litigation experience.
• A relentless commitment to excellence, precision, and delivering results even when stakes are high.
• Competent but not arrogant; respectful and collaborative; someone clients and colleagues respect, trust, and feel comfortable working with.
• Persistent under pressure, ability to handle tough negotiations, adversity, or shifting timelines and priorities.
• Team player who enjoys sharing success with others

Why O&S

• High autonomy + high standards: big-firm caliber work without big-firm bureaucracy.
• Direct impact on marquee transactions and files.
• Work alongside nationally and internationally recognized practitioners.
• Trajectory: meaningful opportunity to step into visible leadership and expedited growth and expansion as the regional and national practice scales.
  

Venor and O’Keefe & Sullivan Lawyers we embrace a culture of belonging in the workplace. No matter who you are, where you’re from, how you think, what you believe in, or who you love, we welcome your application.

To learn more about this opportunity, contact Shardeigh McGillivray at [e-mail] & Vanessa Rodriguez Garcia via [e-mail].