Solicitor

  • Halifax Regional Municipality
  • Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Apr 27, 2023
Full time Lawyer (In House Counsel) Lawyer (Public Sector) Solicitor

Job Description

A municipal public servant makes a difference in the lives of over 400,000 people in the Halifax region. The municipality employs between 3,600-5,000 people annually. You could be one of them. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is recognized as one of the Top Employers for 2022 in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

HRM is seeking candidates, preferably with up to 5 years of experience, for the permanent position of Solicitor in the Municipal & Administrative law group in Legal Services. The Solicitor will report directly to a Team Lead and indirectly, to the Municipal Solicitor/Executive Director. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

HRM Legal Services provides quality, cost effective, timely and accessible legal services to meet the needs of HRM through its Council, various departments, boards, commissions, and employees.

The Solicitor is responsible for providing legal advice and assistance to HRM staff conducting daily business and long-term planning for HRM. The Solicitor will provide accessible, efficient and expert counsel in legal matters while being responsive to client department needs. To be successful in the role, the Solicitor will be a client-focused and self-motivated individual who will work both independently and with a team of lawyers and support staff in the delivery of legal services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provides general solicitor services to HRM, its agencies, boards, and commissions, as assigned, with an emphasis on municipal law, administrative law, legislative drafting, and contracts, as required
  • Complies with HRM Legal Services’ Client Service Standards and Service Level Agreements
  • Conducts legal research and provides legal opinions
  • Maintains up to date knowledge and expertise in areas of law including statutes, case law, legal proceedings, and trends in the context of public law
  • Attends meetings such as community councils or regional council, as required or assigned


QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

  • Law Degree from a recognized university
  • Up to 5 years of relevant experience in the practice of law preferred
  • Member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society or be qualified to be admitted
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas of practice: administrative, municipal, and/or legislative drafting would be considered an asset


Technical and Job Specific Knowledge:

  • Possesses basic legal skills with emphasis on an understanding of the fundamentals of municipal law, ability to analyze legal documents, litigation basics and ability to write comprehensive yet concise legal opinions.
  • Research Skills: possesses a sound knowledge of legal research techniques and software. Has the ability to research and synthesize complex legal and factual materials.
  • Business Fundamentals: understands tactical business fundamentals and risk/benefit analysis and incorporates them into decision making or advice provided. Also, be able to use basic rules: uses "rules of thumb", common sense, and past experiences to identify problems.
  • Knowledge of Halifax Regional Municipality’s organization and its Business Units is an asset.


Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion. Interviews, testing, and in-person recruitment activities are being conducted in adherence with current COVID-19 Public Health protocols.

COMPETENCIES: Analytical Thinking, Communications, Customer Service, Decision Making, Network/Relationship Building, Organization and Planning, Organizational Awareness, Teamwork and Cooperation, Values and Ethics, Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS: permanent, full-time

HOURS OF WORK: Hours of work are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. To meet organizational needs, work outside of regular business hours may be required. Position may be eligible to participate in flexible work arrangements.

SALARY: Non-Union Salary, S1 or S2 - Salary Commensurate with Experience ($65,000 - $131,000 per annum). Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.

WORK LOCATION: 1809 Barrington Street, 7th Floor, Halifax, Nova Scotia

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 pm on Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Please Note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

During the recruitment process on this legal job board, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.
(position #72285947)