Job Description

The Legal Services Department is a full-service law office supporting all aspects of the operations of the City of Winnipeg. Legal Services lawyers work in a defined practice area as part of the team focused on providing legal advice and support to all City departments, senior administration, boards and committees of Council.


The Legal Services Department provides opportunities for lawyers to develop individual skills and gain experience through involvement in both routine matters as well as the unique types of legal work required by a large municipal corporation. We provide a work environment that encourages and supports a healthy work life balance. Compensation and benefits are competitive, as well as providing long-term career opportunities.

Under the general direction of the Director of Legal Services and City Solicitor, the Department is arranged into the following practice groups:

Grants & Governance, including by-law, policy work and program development Litigation - General litigation and by-law enforcement Labour, Employment and Human Rights Planning & Land Development Procurement Real Estate

As the Solicitor (Litigation) - Solicitor 3 you will:

Provide legal advice and other legal services of a complex and/or sensitive nature to the City, its departments and committees of Council ("clients"). Negotiate and advocate for the City at mediations, judicially assisted dispute resolutions, arbitrations, contract administrator appeals and in relation to other disputes; Conduct general litigation in the Court of King's Bench and Court of Appeal in areas such as: + Construction and property disputes;
+ Commercial and contract disputes;
+ Assessment and taxation appeals;
+ Personal injury and other tort claims; and
+ Judicial review proceedings.
Provide overflow support to the Procurement Team, as required including providing legal opinions and advice for all stages of procurement.

Your education and qualifications include:

Bachelor of Law (LL.B) Degree, Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree, or other equivalent.

Minimum of seven years' post-articling experience, with at least five years in civil litigation or a related area.

Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical and legal information in plain language to all levels of the organization and external stakeholders.

Superior written communication skills with the ability to compose a variety of court documents, confidential documents, policies, and correspondence.

Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels of the municipal organization, external contacts and the public.

Excellent organizational and time management skills to work independently, manage multiple priorities, produce high quality work and meet deadlines.

Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.

Strong negotiation skills using sound judgment, diplomacy and discretion when providing legal advice, persuasively advocating and resolving contentious issues.

Knowledge of the Rules and Procedures of the Court of King's Bench.

Knowledge of municipal law, rules of evidence and principles of natural justice.

Relevant experience in drafting contracts/legal agreements is an asset.

IMPORTANT

: Applicants who have been educated outside of Canada must have education which is comparable to the minimum qualification in Canada. Applicants submitting foreign credentials require an official academic assessment report issued by a recognized Canadian assessment service https://canalliance.org/en/ at application.

Conditions of employment:

The successful applicant must maintain legal eligibility to work in Canada. If the successful applicant possesses a work permit, it is their responsibility to ensure the permit remains valid. Police Information Check satisfactory to the employer will be required from the successful applicant at their expense * Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Manitoba.