The Ministry of the Attorney General, Legal Services Branch, Ministry of the Solicitor General, has an immediate challenging opportunity for an intermediate or senior counsel with experience in corporate/commercial law and complex contracts to provide legal services to the largest ministry in the OPS, that employs 30% of the OPS workforce in carrying out the ministry\'s public safety mandate.
Counsel will be required to provide legal and strategic advice and support to a range of ministry clients including: Correctional Services; Public Safety Division; the Ontario Provincial Police; the Office of the Chief Coroner; the Centre of Forensic Sciences; Animal Welfare Services; the ministry\'s Strategic Policy, Research and Innovation Division as well as other corporate divisions and ministry agencies.

Our Values: Integrity, Judgment, Commitment, Justice, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration.
The Legal Services branch welcomes applications from candidates who can contribute to the goal of promoting a diverse, respectful and supportive workplace.

It is mandatory to quote the Job ID on your cover letter for verification purposes.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario\'s Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Duties may include:

• Negotiating and drafting contracts, which may include complex procurements in the areas of IT, goods and services of all kinds, intellectual property, privacy, digital or IT products and services, and emergency communications infrastructure.
• Reviewing and advising on a variety of legal documents and instruments including memoranda of understanding, appointments, and transfer payment agreements.
• Advising on duty to consult obligations on crown agencies.
• Providing written and oral legal opinions and advice to support the operational, policy and legislative requirements of the ministry including addressing a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues, agency administration and oversight, funding and lending matters, planning matters, corporate governance and corporate financing and conflict of interest issues.
• Developing and advising on legislation and regulations.
• Drafting and reviewing ministerial directions and Orders in Council.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

Membership in good standing as a lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario

Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in corporate/commercial law, including complex contracts that may pertain to transfer payments, procurements, intellectual property, privacy, and digital or IT products and services or the duty to consult.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating, drafting and reviewing corporate and commercial documents including secured lending documents, procurement documents, grant agreements, and other commercial legal documents with varying levels of complexity.

Ability to recognize and assess legal implications in proposed and existing programs and initiatives and able to provide innovative, strategic, risk-based and solutions-oriented legal advice on complex, time-sensitive and high-profile issues that arise.

• Demonstrated analytical skills, political acuity and judgment including ability to identify and assess legal and risk implications in client practices, policies and programs.
• Demonstrated ability to handle a high-volume practice involving senior clients with short turnaround times, and able to work both independently and as part of a team with effective outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent client service and ability to produce high-quality work
• Knowledge of the Police Services Act, Ministry of Correctional Services Act, Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Statutory Powers and Procedure Act, and the Human Rights Code.
• Ability and flexibility to provide innovative solutions to complex problems to adapt to a changing work environment
• Ability to conduct legal research in complex areas of law, inspire client confidence, handle files independently, and be a collegial team player with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion and accessibility

Additional Information:

Address:

• 2 Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 655 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region, Criminal Record Check, Intelligence, Local Police Databases Search, PIP/NICHE/RMS

Compensation Group:
Association of Law Officers of the Crown




Understanding the job ad - definitions Schedule:
6



Category:
Legal Services



Posted on:
Friday, March 31, 2023

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual\'s employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• For issues with submitting applications, or questions, please contact CSMD.HR.LegalCompeti@ontario.ca