Legal Counsel

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The Office of University Legal Counsel provides general legal advice and services to senior University administrators, Faculties, Departments, and administrative units.

Responsibilities

Legal Counsel, under the direction of the University Legal Counsel, provides legal representation and advice to the University and all its constituent parts, including the Board of Governors, Senate, the President, Vice Presidents, the Faculties, Research Western, Student Experience, Alumni & Development, Procurement, Western Technology Services, Finance and other stakeholders. As a research-intensive University with over 35,000 students, Western’s legal department touches nearly every area of law, including litigation, administrative law, human rights, contracts, intellectual property, estates and trusts, construction, real estate, and privacy. This position will have a focus on administrative law matters.

Qualifications

Education:

• LL.B/J.D. from an accredited law school in Canada
• Active membership in the Law Society of Upper Canada
• Licensed to practice in Ontario and in good standing, or admissible at the earliest opportunity

Experience:

• 7 years’ experience practicing law and providing legal advice on administrative law issues

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of a broad range of legal matters and of statutory law affecting universities
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills
• Conflict resolution skills with an ability to proactively identify potential conflicts and support actions to facilitate resolution
• Ability to provide guidance to assist others in solving complex situations affecting the University’s operations
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit
• Ability to effectively transform legal requirements into efficient operational policy and processes
• High ethical standards, with a strong commitment to legal ethics, which is exhibited in knowledge and practice, and professional responsibility
• Ability to effectively drive and manage change initiatives that align with organizational strategies, support risk mitigation and enhance operational efficiencies
• Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively communicate University guidelines, policies and practices to key stakeholders
• Competency to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion
• Ability to evaluate future implications of strategies, and consider the outcomes of situations that could develop from decisions
• Negotiation and influencing skills to effectively advocate needs and maintain relationships
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and to work effectively and efficiently with internal and external clients at all levels of the organization
• Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are clearly linked to the organization's strategy and goals

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwo.ca or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

Effective September 7, 2021, all employees and visitors to campus are required to comply with Western's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.