Legal Counsel

ESA is seeking an experienced professional for the role of Legal Counsel, Litigation (Civil) to manage the primary carriage of civil litigation matters and to represent ESA before its own regulatory tribunal regarding appeals of statutory orders.

About the Role:

Our in-house legal group has four lawyers and two paralegals. We are seeking a lawyer to join our dynamic team as Legal Counsel, Litigation (Civil) to provide effective, practical and timely advice and opinions on a wide range of complex and significant legal issues arising from same which will involve interacting with multiple business units across the ESA.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to: Assistant General Counsel

Direct Reports: 1

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary
• Comprehensive Benefit and Pension Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Employee Recognition Program

About ESA:

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is a not-for-profit, public electrical safety regulator. Established in 1999, as one of the successor companies to the former Ontario Hydro, ESA’s mission is to improve electrical safety for the well-being of the people of Ontario. It administers four regulations to the Electricity Act, relating to product safety, licensing, electrical distribution and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. In support of its mission, ESA inspects electrical installations, targets leading causes of electrical safety risk, oversees compliance with regulations, promotes awareness and collaborates with stakeholders.

ESA has over 500 employees throughout Ontario. We are a highly engaged team, dedicated to public safety and supported by a strong group of stakeholders, the Board of Directors, community and government partners.

The ESA is one of Ontario's leading employers. If you choose to join our team, you will be entering a safety and development focused environment where we will care about YOU as a member of our team and as an individual. We take care of members of our team with an industry-leading benefits package and a defined-benefit pension plan, not to mention our competitive salaries.

General Accountabilities:

• Primary responsibility is to provide advice, guidance and representation of ESA in its defence of civil litigation matters, including, among other things, preparation of pleadings; attendance at discoveries; motions; pre-trials; settlements and at trial.
• Provide analysis and counsel to Statutory Directors including on issuance of Orders under the Electricity Act, 1998 and its Regulations.
• Representation of ESA before its Review Panel, regarding appeals of Orders and Licensing decisions.
• Provide advice and representation with respect to coroner’s inquests.
• Direct external counsel, if and as required, with respect to litigation and appeals or any other matter, should external counsel be necessary.
• Review and interpret case law, statutes, regulations and orders that relate to the organization’s activities. Attempt to secure uniformity of understanding and application.
• Provide legal opinions.
• Draft and/or interpret policy requirements.
• Conduct negotiations with third parties on behalf of the organization with respect to complaints, compliance and disputes.
• Anticipate issues and provide proactive, preventative legal advice on significant matters involving the organization in order to mitigate risk.
• Provide advice and direction on legal issues related to the organization’s powers and duties, the conduct of its businesses, and its relationships with external parties and employees.
• Provide support to the Assistant General Counsel, and other members of the legal department with respect to all aspects of Legal, including privacy matters, requests for information, complaints procedures and labour and employment
• Communicate with third parties on behalf of the organization in regard to legal matters.
• Develop, educate and deliver training to ESA employees in relation to areas of expertise.
• Supervise, as required, legal staff including junior counsel or paralegal.

About You:

• Superior communications skills; verbally and in writing
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to identify risks and potential solutions
• Strategic thinker
• Detailed oriented, attention to accuracy
• Strong listening skills
• Excellent negotiator; good influencing skills
• Personal drive and perseverance
• Self-starter with ability to carry through with tasks independently
• Ability to build relationships; excellent interpersonal skills
• High level of honesty and integrity
• A licence to drive in the Province of Ontario and access to a vehicle.

Qualifications:

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Minimum of 6 to 8 years as in-house counsel or in private practice specializing, to the greatest extent possible, in the following relevant areas, in order of importance:
  • Civil litigation
  • Administrative/Regulatory Law
  • Privacy matters and RFI requests
  • Labour and Employment
• Experience representing regulatory entities; government entities or similar, which operate in a highly-regulated environment, before the courts or administrative tribunals is an asset.
• Experience in the Energy Sector (energy or electricity legal experience) is an asset.