Wanted Legal Counsel in Metrolinx Toronto, ON

Job Location : Toronto, ON

Salary : $97,869 - $134,516 per annum

Legal Counsel - (GEN003O)

Employee Status: Regular

Office Name: Head Office


Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Mandate

The Legal Counsel has carriage of files that are straightforward to medium complexity and assists more senior lawyers on files that are more complex.

Key Responsibilities

• Drafts and reviews contracts, memoranda of understanding and other legal documents

• Conducts and where appropriate, oversees legal research to provide legal advice and opinions on a diverse range of complex legal matters

• Oversees legal work completed by Legal Counsel I, articling student and summer law students, and provides mentorship to Legal Counsel I, articling student and summer law students

• Supports the General Counsel for Board of Directors meetings

• Works with external counsel on litigation and transaction matters and when drafting documents, researching legal matters or providing instructions

• Works with major contractual suppliers and their counsel (e.g. Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP))

• Represents Metrolinx at court appearances in proceedings arising from its operations

• Briefs policy and legal staff at the Ministry of Transportation (MTO)

• Makes presentations on current legal issues to relevant internal Metrolinx stakeholder groups

• Supports Metrolinx’s compliance with Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act (FIPPA) by working closely with Senior Privacy Officer and with FIPPA access coordinator to provide legal advice on available disclosure exemptions

• Maintains an awareness of current provincial and federal legislation and regulations that may affect Metrolinx; recommends amendments to existing policies and procedures arising from relevant legislative or regulatory changes; provides advice/opinions on the interpretation of legislation

• Contributes to enhancing corporate policies and procedures and provides opinions and advice to the corporation

• Provides advice and prepares legal documents that comply with the law and do not expose Metrolinx to risk and/or financial loss

• Provides Section 28[1] applications to the Minister of Finance

• Develops programs for summer law students and articling students

• Provides feedback and direction to Legal Counsel I, articling student, summer students, paralegals and administrative staff

Location: 97 Front Street West, Toronto

[1] Section 28 of Ontario’s Financial Administration Act (FAA) provides that a ministry or public entity shall not enter into any financial arrangement, commitment, guarantee, indemnity or similar transaction that would increase, directly or indirectly, the indebtedness or contingent liabilities of the Province of Ontario, unless written approval is obtained from the Minister of Finance.

Qualifications

• Completion of a degree in law or a related discipline – or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent

• Minimum two (2) years of experience as a lawyer at a reputable law firm and/or in-house legal group (including at other provincial agencies or the Province of Ontario)

• Membership in the Law Society of Ontario, as a Lawyer in good standing, is required

• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act (FIPPA) and related regulatory requirements

• Ability to identify and resolve legal issues, and translate legal concepts into readily understandable advice

• Ability to work well, as a full and valuable member of an integrated business-legal team

• Negotiation, interpersonal, and communication (both oral and written) skills to prepare legal documents

To apply for this position, please submit resume online, no later than April 21, 2020.

Please note that applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Accommodation will be provided throughout the hiring process, as required. Applicants must make their needs known in advance.

Please be advised, Metrolinx uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job competitions. A Criminal Record Search may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any background information provided be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Accommodation will be provided throughout the hiring process, as required.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
www.metrolinx.com

Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: 21-Apr-2020