Governance Lawyer

OKT Law • Toronto, ON

59d • $145,000 - $195,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP (OKT), our core purpose is advocating for Indigenous rights, interests, and self-determination. We are driven by a simple priority: helping our clients achieve their own goals.
We understand the practical challenges that Indigenous governments, organizations, and peoples face when revitalizing their own laws and engaging with the wide range of Canadian law - whether in the community, the courts, in the boardroom, or at the negotiating table. We develop legal strategies collaboratively with our clients, with Indigenous self-determination at the foundation of everything we do.
We are looking to add an associate lawyer to our team at OKT. In this role, the successful candidate will advise and support nations in various ways, including in governance and stewardship of lands and waters; negotiations of land claims, modern treaties, and protected areas; negotiations with proponents; design and implementation of nation-based regulatory and governance processes; work relating to the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate; and domestic application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Requirements

• 4-8 years of demonstrated First Nations governance law experience
• Strong interest in Indigenous people’s self-determination and Indigenous rights advocacy
• Proven experience and commitment to working with Indigenous governments to support self-governance and Indigenous legal orders
• Creativity and innovation in the use of Canadian law and precedent to solve problems and support Indigenous nations and their organizations
• Exceptional analytical, research and negotiation skills
• Desire to work in a hybrid environment from one of our OKT offices, with regular in-office collaboration and flexibility to travel to our clients’ communities across Canada

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Treaties
• Familiarity with indigenous legal orders, languages and laws
• Familiarity with mining, energy and other resource-related sectors
• Experience working for First Nations on issues relating to lands and waters, in Canada or internationally
• Experience with regulatory processes, including Crown-based processes that engage the duty to consult and accommodate
• Experience with negotiations, including with proponents and other governments

Responsibilities

• Advise and support nations in various ways, including in governance and stewardship of lands and waters
• Negotiations of land claims, modern treaties, and protected areas
• Negotiations with proponents
• Design and implementation of nation-based regulatory and governance processes
• Work relating to the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate
• Domestic application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Extended health benefits
• A general spending account
• A subsidized gym membership for articling students, associates, and support staff.
• A structured mentorship program to help you develop your skills, build confidence, and thrive in your legal career.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed