Legal Associate

Azrieli Foundation•Toronto, ON

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Azrieli Foundation is one of Canada’s largest philanthropic foundations, supporting initiatives in education, science & healthcare, research and the arts. Through strategic grants and collaborative initiatives, we strive to foster innovation, empowerment and drive positive change within these critical sectors in Canada and Israel. The Legal Associate will play a key role in the Foundation’s legal operations and enterprise risk management framework. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this role provides support to the entire Foundation and helps drive legal, operational, and risk management activities. While the primary expectation of this role is to support the Foundation’s charity and non-profit law work, the Legal Associate will also act as a generalist in-house resource, providing support across other areas of law.

Requirements

Five or more (5+) years of legal experience
Called to the bar in Ontario and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating agreements
Experience supporting corporate governance processes (e.g., advising, drafting, or participating in governance-related work)
Familiarity with compliance and risk considerations within organizations
Ability to provide timely, thoughtful, pragmatic legal advice
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and accuracy
Strong judgment, including knowing when to act independently and when to escalate
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide clear, practical guidance and manage stakeholder expectations
Comfortable navigating sensitive conversations while maintaining relationships
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Excellent time management skills
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in a remote or hybrid environment

Nice To Haves

Experience in charity and non-profit law is preferred; candidates with corporate or regulatory law experience will also be considered
French language proficiency would be considered an asset

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and support the negotiation of a range of agreements, including donation agreements, contractor agreements, and service/vendor contracts
Provide legal support across multiple domains, including charity and non-profit law, corporate law, employment and labour matters, and intellectual property considerations
Support corporate governance processes and activities, including preparing materials for and attending board and committee meetings, drafting resolutions, meeting minutes and other governance documentation
Provide support on regulatory compliance matters, including CRA requirements, filings, and internal policy alignment
Assist in the creation of governance and operational policies
Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, on charity and non-profit law issues
Contribute to internal resources, guidance materials, and knowledge-sharing initiatives for the Foundation
Identify and assess legal and operational risks, and support implementation of appropriate mitigation approaches
Work across all areas of the foundation, including granting, programs, finance and operations teams, to provide comprehensive support and legal guidance
Assist in building out processes, tools and systems to help modernize legal workflows
Keep abreast of legal developments in the sector
Translate legislative and regulatory changes in practical advice