Senior Counsel (Litigation)

Fonction publique de l'Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 160,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is seeking a Senior Counsel to join the Litigation team in North York. You will provide senior legal advice and lead litigation under AGCO statutes, including tribunal proceedings, appeals, and judicial reviews.

You will draft opinions, decisions, and related communications, while supervising and guiding counsel on complex matters. A strong track record in public service, regulatory work, and appellate courts is essential.

Qualifications

• Law degree with significant relevant experience in public service, a regulator, or a regulated entity.
• Ontario Law Society membership in good standing.
• Specialized expertise in administrative law.
• Experience appearing before Tribunals, Divisional Court and Court of Appeal.
• Senior-level legal advice on complex compliance and eligibility matters.
• Experience overseeing the allocation of work to legal counsel and ensuring quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior legal advice and services in administrative law, regulation, and litigation for the Registrar.
• Conduct litigation under AGCO statutes, including tribunal proceedings, appeals, and judicial reviews.
• Draft and review legal opinions, decisions, rulings, and related documents.
• Provide leadership and representation on AGCO committees and initiatives.

Skills

Administrative law

Litigation

Legal advisory

Public sector experience

Tribunals/Appeals experience

Education

Law Degree

Job description

Apply By:Wednesday, September 9, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Division:

Legal Services Division / Litigation Branch

City:

North York

Position(s) language:

Job term:

1 Permanent

Job code:

AGCO/16 - AGCO/16

$160,293.00 - $248,407.00 Per year

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates Ontario's alcohol, gaming, horse racing, and private retail cannabis sectors in accordance with the principles of honesty, integrity, and the public interest.

The Legal Services Division provides legal advice, conducts litigation, represents the Registrar before tribunals and courts, and supports corporate, administrative, legislative, and policy matters.

We are seeking a Senior Counsel to join the Litigation team, reporting to the Legal Director, Litigation.

About the job

• Provide senior legal advice and services in administrative law, regulation, and litigation on behalf of the Registrar.
• Conduct litigation under AGCO-administered statutes, including tribunal proceedings, appeals, and judicial reviews.
• Draft and review legal opinions, decisions, rulings, communications, and related documents.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and representation on AGCO committees and initiatives, as required.

What you bring to the team

• You hold a Law Degree accompanied by significant relevant experience working within the public service, a regulator, or at a regulated entity.
• Your membership with the Law Society of Ontario is in good standing.
• You have a specialized level of expertise in administrative law.
• Knowledge of the industries regulated by the AGCO and the legislation administered by it, is an asset.
• You are passionate about litigation and have extensive experience “on your feet”, including appearing before Tribunals, Divisional Court and Court of Appeal.
• You have demonstrated proficiency in the provision of senior level legal advice, from a litigation strategy and operational perspective, on complex compliance and eligibility matters.
• You are experienced in the oversight of a process, the assignment of work to legal counsel and the accountability for the quality of that work and related outcomes.
• You possess the skills, abilities and experience to effectively assume and carry the role of litigation lead on matters in all lines of business.
• You are able to provide senior level legal advice on industry related stakeholder relations issues and communications and media inquiries.
• You possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability in drafting legal opinions and recommendations.
• You have demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement, strong analytical, research and problem-solving skills and excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Your superior interpersonal skills have demonstrated your ability to work well independently and within a team and adapt and work effectively in a fast-paced, complex and ever-changing environment.
• You must be able and willing to travel and possess a valid Ontario driver’s licence.

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racism, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti‑Racism Policy

What we offer

• Why should you join the AGCO Legal Services Division?
• The AGCO is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer.
• The AGCO is committed to a culture of Diversity and Inclusion.
• The AGCO is committed to creating a supportive work environment that respects and values AGCO staff contributions and provides them with opportunities for growth and professional achievement.
• Unique opportunity to work at an award winning, world‑class regulator that is innovative, proactive, inclusive and socially responsible.
• The Legal Division fosters a culture of respect, collegiality, mentorship, and balance between professional and personal lives.
• We recognize the importance of continuing legal education and provide opportunities for professional growth.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that covers health, dental, visioncare, paramedical services, parental leave top‑up, a defined benefit pension plan and a broad well‑being program.

Language requirements and assessment:

All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry‑specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre‑determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.