Manager, Legal Counsel (contract)

Company Description:

At McDonald's, we are committed to being the best, and that starts with finding the best people. We have built a team of extraordinary people from around the world. We are problem solvers, risk takers, innovators, and thought leaders that take our work seriously, but have fun doing it. We challenge ourselves to get smarter and sharper every day, we value personal and professional growth, and believe in rewarding and celebrating our successes.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Legal Counsel (Employment Litigation) to join our Canadian Legal Department on a 12‑month contract. This hybrid role is based in Ontario and offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of employment law, labour relations, human rights, occupational health and safety, and litigation within a complex, fast‑paced national organization.

This position will play a key role in supporting the business across employment and labour matters, workplace investigations, employment practices and workers’ compensation insurance issues, and dispute resolution. The successful candidate will also provide general litigation support across other practice areas—including commercial, franchising, real estate, and insurance litigation—as business needs require. The successful candidate should have strong legal drafting and advocacy skills.

This role offers broad exposure, meaningful responsibility, and the opportunity to work closely with experienced in‑house counsel and cross‑functional partners across Canada.

This posting is for a new role.

Who You Are

You thrive in a collaborative, high‑performing environment and enjoy acting as a practical legal advisor to the business. You are comfortable managing files independently while knowing when to escalate issues appropriately. You bring strong judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to move seamlessly between advisory work and active litigation support. You are adaptable, solution‑oriented, and confident navigating evolving legal and business priorities. You take ownership of your work, manage competing deadlines effectively, and approach risk with a balanced, business‑minded lens.

What’s In It for You?

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a well‑respected global organization during a period of ongoing transformation and change. You will gain hands‑on experience across a wide range of employment and litigation matters in a sophisticated in‑house environment, while making a tangible impact on workplace risk management and dispute resolution strategies.

If you are looking to broaden your in‑house experience, deepen your employment law and litigation skillset, and contribute meaningfully to a collaborative legal team, this role offers both challenge and growth.

Duties

In addition to adhering to McDonald’s policies and procedures, key responsibilities include:

• Provide day‑to‑day legal advice on employment, labour, human rights, and occupational health and safety matters across Canada
• Support the management of workplace investigations, including advising on process, risk, findings, and remediation
• Assist with employment‑related disputes and litigation, including coordination with external counsel
• Provide legal support relating to employment practices liability and workers’ compensation insurance matters
• Draft, review, and advise on employment‑related documentation, policies, contracts and correspondence
• Support general litigation matters as required, including commercial, franchising, real estate, and insurance disputes
• Assist in developing and maintaining legal precedents, playbooks, and templates to support consistency and efficiency
• Identify and implement process improvements within the Legal team and in collaboration with business stakeholders

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and experience:

• Law degree (JD or LLB) and membership in good standing with a provincial or territorial law society in Canada
• 3–5 years of post‑call legal experience, gained in a law firm and/or in‑house environment
• Demonstrated experience in employment and labour law, including litigation or dispute resolution exposure
• General litigation experience across civil matters; experience supporting commercial or insurance litigation is an asset
• Prior in‑house experience is considered an asset but is not required
• Strong analytical, drafting, and issue‑spotting skills, with the ability to translate legal risk into practical business advice
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with comfort working cross‑functionally in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple matters concurrently

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $89,599 - $127,998 per year
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.

Additional Information:

McDonald’s Canada and Owner/Operators are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. Our workplaces have a long-standing policy of providing fair, equitable, and accessible opportunities for all employees and prospective employees. Accommodations during the application process are available upon request. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during our recruitment process.