Barrister & Solicitor

Government of Alberta•Calgary, AB

1d•CA$103,025 - CA$215,605•Onsite

About The Position

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, Legal Services Division, is responsible for providing quality legal advice to the Government of Alberta. Within the Division, the Family and Surrogate Court Litigation Team (FASCL) provides legal services and advice to Children and Family Services, Assisted Living and Social Services and the Maintenance Enforcement Program on complex and sensitive issues. FASCL also acts as the Central Authority with respect to Hague Convention matters (International Child Abduction). Do you want to work in an exciting and developing area of law with supportive and skilled colleagues? At FASCL, we are committed to providing a supportive and collegial team environment where lawyers work to provide excellent legal services to our clients.

Requirements

A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD) is required.
You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta.
Civil Crown Counsel 1: 0-4 years of legal experience.
Civil Crown Counsel 2: Minimum of 4 years of legal experience.
Civil Crown Counsel 3: Minimum of 11 years of legal experience.
Effective analytical, problem solving, and communication, interpersonal, and client-management skills,
Strong oral and written court advocacy skills,
Experience providing practical, client-focused advice to enable decision making,
Ability to work on the front-line, in a fast-paced litigation-based office,
Ease and experience appearing in court, conducting trials and applying their advocacy skills in all levels of court,
Strong negotiation and alternative dispute resolution skills,
Experience conducting legal research, preparing legal opinions, briefs and facta, and drafting court applications and affidavits,
Ability to think strategically and work independently when managing litigation files,
Ability to manage a heavy and high-volume caseload while working collaboratively with clients and colleagues.

Nice To Haves

Experience and familiarity with the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, Maintenance Enforcement Act, Family Law Act and Child Support Guidelines,
Trial experience (either in the child protection, family law or criminal contexts),
Knowledge of Constitutional/ Aboriginal Law,
Litigation experience with the Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench,
Experience with appeals, judicial reviews, and/or administrative tribunals,
Experience with negotiation and alternate dispute resolution,
Experience in building relationship with clients and stakeholders,
Previous experience with crown prosecutor is acceptable.

Responsibilities

Representing Children and Family Services on court applications, trials, and appeals in Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA) matters, in all levels of court,
Providing legal advice on the application and interpretation of the CYFEA and of Canada’s Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families and the Director’s obligations under those Acts,
Representing the Director of Maintenance Enforcement, and the Director under Part 5 of the Income and Employment Supports Act in all levels of court on child support matters,
Providing support and independently preparing and providing legal opinions/advice in verbal and written form for the direct client and client ministries on matters with confidentiality and sensitivity,
Drafting accurate, clear, concise, and practical legal opinions,
Involvement in proceedings on matters with high risk and complexity,
Working with clients to advance government priorities,
Assessing legal risks and recommending mitigation strategies,
Working collaboratively to coordinate legal advice and services,
Reviewing and assessing documents for disclosure within legal proceedings
Travelling within Alberta to represent and support the client in regional court locations as required.