Senior Legal Counsel, Labour & Employment

The Counsel Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal services organization is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel in Toronto, ON to provide comprehensive legal advice on labour and employment law. The successful candidate will be responsible for representing the Board in mediations and arbitrations, preparing legal submissions, and advising on legal matters within a highly unionized environment. A strong background in labour law and experience in the public sector are essential, along with exceptional communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years related experience practicing labour law, including collective bargaining and labour arbitrations.
• Good standing with a Canadian Law Society.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and representation on labour and employment law matters.
• Represent the Board at labour grievance mediations and arbitrations.
• Advise Board leadership on legal matters related to their rights and responsibilities.

Skills

Labour Law Experience

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

LL.B. or J.D. degree

Job description

Senior Legal Counsel, Labour & Employment

Reporting to and under the direction of the Executive General Counsel, the Senior Legal Counsel will provide legal advice and representation on a broad range of labour and employment law files.

As Senior Legal Counsel, Labour & Employment, you will be responsible for representing the Board at labour mediations and arbitrations, preparing legal submissions, researching case law, and advancing the Board’s interests at mediations, settlement discussions and arbitration. You will also be responsible for providing legal advice on legal issues arising from day to day with respect to the Board’s employees – both unionized and non-unionized.

As the ideal candidate, you will have a minimum of fifteen years of labour law experience and at least ten years of experience independently conducting labour mediations and litigating labour arbitrations. Public-sector experience is strongly preferred.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Represent the Board at labour grievance mediations and arbitrations.
• Prepare legal submissions for filing at various labour and other related tribunals.
• Provide legal advice to Board leadership (e.g. Superintendents, Principals, Vice-Principals, Business Leaders and Human Resources professionals) on legal matters related to their rights, responsibilities and duties as leaders in a highly unionized environment (i.e. working with collective agreements and applicable legislation), and as leaders supervising non-unionized staff.
• Advise on the implementation of resolutions in labour matters from a legal perspective.
• Provide legal advice on disciplinary matters and the implementation of discipline as appropriate.
• Provide legal advice as needed to support the development of negotiation strategies and bargaining activities.
• Research and prepare legal opinions and memoranda for the Executive General Counsel on labour and employment law matters.
• Collaborate with the Executive General Counsel in supporting the vision for the Board’s legal services.
• Assist in drafting reports on legal matters as directed by the Executive General Counsel to support Board functions.
• Remain current on developments of relevant legal updates and issues.
• Adhere to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct.
• Perform such other duties and tasks as directed by and to support the Executive General Counsel.

Education and Professional Skills / Knowledge

• LL.B. or J.D. degree (or equivalent).
• Good standing with a Canadian Law Society.
• Minimum of 15 years related experience practicing labour law, including collective bargaining and labour arbitrations.
• Proven track record of attending and advising on labour arbitrations.
• Ability to work in a fast paced and rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to analyze legal risk in context of business realities and provide practical advice focused on the ‘big picture’ goals of the Executive General Counsel and the Board.
• Experience with management-side labour law in the public sector is preferred, as is experience with multi-unionized environments.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently while being an effective member of a team.
• Prepared to contribute, learn and develop with a flourishing, high-functioning legal team focused on excellence in service delivery and results.

The TCDSB is strongly committed to fostering and creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the stakeholders and communities we serve. As such, we welcome and encourage applications from candidates who self-identify as members of groups protected by the Human Rights Code (including but not limited to racialized persons, persons with disabilities, Indigenous and Aboriginal peoples, and women).You are invited to voluntarily indicate if you identify as one or more of the aforementioned groups. This information will be kept confidential.

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