Counsel, Law Society Tribunal (Permanent)

Overview

At Law Society of Ontario we believe in the importance of a collaborative and supportive work environment that provides high quality and professional service to the public, lawyers and paralegals, and other stakeholders.

We Are Always On The Lookout For Exceptional Individuals Who Are Ready To Make a Meaningful Impact, Innovate And Grow With Us.  Our Offering

• We value each member of our team and invest in your professional learning and development.
• We provide access to the resources needed to support professional growth , mental health and well-being is a priority.
• Our competitive compensation package includes a defined contribution pension plan, health and dental benefits plan and a robust Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
• Our progressive employment policies, high levels of employee engagement and the impressive architecture and beautiful grounds of the historic Osgoode Hall, there are many reasons to work at the Law Society.

We hope you will consider joining the Law Society!

Job Purpose

Provides legal advice and support to the Tribunal Chair, Registrar, and other staff and adjudicators of the Law Society Tribunal. Acts as a legal resource and staff support for Tribunal Committee. Represents the Tribunal in court proceedings. Focuses on service to the public, professions and parties, applying and promoting the Tribunal’s core values of fairness, quality, transparency and timeliness.

Qualifications Required

• Requires an LLB/JD and class L1 licence with the Law Society of Ontario in good standing.
• Requires a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a lawyer practising before or working within administrative tribunals.
• Professional knowledge:
• Administrative law.
• Best practices and innovative approaches in administrative tribunals.
• Law Society tribunal practices and policies, Law Society Act, Adjudicator Code of Conduct, Rules of Practice and Procedure, Practice Directions, and Law Society Tribunal jurisprudence.
• Editorial, legal research, and writing skills.
• Proficiency in French is considered an asset.
• Technical skills:
• Microsoft Office Suite / 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Competencies:
• Negotiation skills with tact and diplomacy
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Interpersonal, oral, and written communication, and presentation skills
• Organizational and multitasking skills with attention to detail
• Relationship Management
• Strategic judgment in analyzing and applying complex information
• Ability to provide prompt, strategic advice on issues of procedure and substance

Key Accountabilities

Client / Customer Service Planning

• Develops and maintains the Tribunal’s administrative and adjudicative policies, practices, and procedural frameworks, including the Rules of Practice and Procedure, Practice Directions, guides, and related governance documents.
• Develops and implements policy proposals and amendments, preparing materials for review by the Tribunal Committee and Convocation
• Advises the Chair and Registrar on administrative and adjudicative approaches, contributing to the development of policy direction, procedural improvements, and rule changes.
• Drafts rules, practice directions, templates, and other materials for adjudicators.

Client/Customer Service Delivery

• Provides advice to adjudicators and staff on process and substantive law relating to all aspects of Tribunal proceedings, often with a short turnaround time.
• Communicates with parties, media, the public, witnesses and other stakeholders in response to inquiries.
• Reviews draft endorsements, reasons, and orders and makes editorial and substantive suggestions consistent with adjudicative independence.
• Prepares orders for publication.
• Represents the Tribunal in judicial reviews and appeals.
• Prepares adjudicator and staff education materials and assists in delivering adjudicator education.
• Tailors advice and feedback to the audience, recognizing both adjudicative independence and consistency.

Legal Research and Advisory Support

• Conducts legal and policy research on issues arising in Tribunal proceedings, including procedural fairness, process design, and reasons review.
• Maintains in-depth familiarity with the Tribunal’s jurisprudence, administrative practices and policies, and adjudicative strategies to provide accurate and helpful on-the-spot advice.
• Analyzes trends and emerging issues in Tribunal caselaw to inform policy development and operational decision-making.
• Reviews Divisional Court jurisprudence on ongoing basis.

Relationship & Alliance Building

• Works as a part of a diverse team delivering adjudication that includes adjudicators from a variety of backgrounds, staff and the Chair.
• Builds solid relationships with adjudicators and staff, using persuasive skills to encourage consistency while respecting adjudicative independence.
• Advises the Registrar and administrative staff on strategic solutions for case processing issues.
• Promotes confidence in the Tribunal through understanding of and openness to the perspectives of diverse stakeholders.
• Co-ordinates with outside counsel appointed under Tribunal Rules as “Friend of the Tribunal” including reviewing process, invoices, etc.

Special Projects / Initiatives

• Assists with the development of project objectives, monitors schedules and project milestones, and provides regular reports and feedback.
• Participates in initiatives to enhance the quality of adjudication and service delivery at the Law Society Tribunal (e.g., rule amendments, process enhancements, policies, reason templates, and adjudicator education in writing, in person and by video).
• Assists in the development of performance statistics and monitoring of the Tribunal’s work.
• Advises administrative staff to ensure that proceeding-related information is recorded accurately to generate useful statistics.
• Prepares content for the Tribunal website.
• Performs website and media communications in collaboration with Communications Coordinator.
• Assists Communications Coordinator in responding to media and public requests for information.
• By submitting your application for employment, you agree to a clearance check of your regulatory history with the Law Society, and to the use of this information in assessing suitability for employment at the Law Society.
• Please submit a cover letter with your application.

The Law Society of Ontario values and respects diversity. We are committed to creating an accessible, barrier-free and inclusive workplace in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please make any requirement you may have for accommodation during the recruitment process known when contacted.

If you are unable to apply to this position due to the requirement for an accommodation of any kind, please email us at hr@lso.ca or call 416-947-3475.

The Law Society of Ontario does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process at present.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.