Legal Coordinator- Litigation Team

Ontario Nurses' Association•Toronto, ON

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is seeking to hire a Legal Coordinator for Region 3 on its Litigation Team to join the Toronto office. This posting is for an existing vacancy. As a member of the Litigation Team and working within the boundaries of ONA’s governing and administrative policies, the vision, and strategic outcomes, this position provides litigation services, mentorship, advice, and support to meet the service delivery needs of ONA and its membership. The incumbent will be a leader on the Litigation Team and is accountable for providing mentorship remotely and in person, and advice to lawyers on the team and maintaining an active litigation practice under the direction and supervision of the Manager of Litigation.

Requirements

A B/Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required.
Called to the Bar of Ontario/Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
A minimum of 5 to 10 years of experience practicing advanced union-side labour law at rights arbitration and other legal forums.
Demonstrated experience in mentorship of other lawyers and advisory work including providing general advice, reviewing cases, identifying solutions to challenges, assisting with responses to complaints, attending and supporting other lawyers at arbitration, supporting direction on provincial cases, and assisting with litigation and negotiation strategies.
Identifying areas for skill development for litigation team and working with the Senior Legal Advisor to coordinate appropriate education.
Attending Legal Coordinator meeting with the other Coordinators and Manager of Litigation to discuss legal issues/cases and to support team direction and strategies.
Demonstrated experience in teaching, advising, and mentoring junior lawyers or acting as principal to articling students.
Demonstrated ability to draft pleadings and write legal opinions, submissions, and
Demonstrated advocacy, litigation, and presentation
Demonstrated skills in coordinating and leading on the litigation team including initiating alternative adjudication models.
Extensive experience in the following types of litigation proceedings: Complex arbitrations, including extensive experience with LTD and human rights matters including accommodation files. Arbitrations with provincial ramifications/central cases Ontario Labour Relations Board proceedings, including under the Labour Relations Act, Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act. Court, including Divisional Court and appellate courts (e.g. judicial reviews, injunctions, and other proceedings) and Civil Actions would be an asset. HRTO
Demonstrated experience obtaining expert reports and in conducting direct and cross-examination of medical experts.
The successful candidate must be able to travel, possess a valid driver’s license and have access to an automobile for business use.

Nice To Haves

Education or training in alternative dispute resolution/mediation and/or oral advocacy is an asset.
Registered Nurse is an

Responsibilities

Acts as a coordinator and leader on the Litigation Team and will be assigned lawyers to whom they are responsible for providing advice, guidance, and mentorship in coordination with the Manager of Litigation remotely and in person.
Provide mentorship and advice on all aspects of the work performed by ONA’s litigation team, including grievance arbitrations, Labour Board files (PSLRTA/sale of business/related employer, ULPs, DFRs, Jurisdictional Disputes, OHSA appeals) human rights files at the HRTO and other areas.
Provide advice on litigation strategies, skills, and approaches to other litigators in a range of legal fora and assist in the development of litigation skills of the team.
Acts as a key resource to litigators, labour relations officers and bargaining unit leadership providing legal and strategic advice including for challenging or complex files.
Responsible, in consultation with the Manager of Litigation, for onboarding and training new lawyers to the team remotely and in person.
Provides strategic and competent representation to ONA and its members at rights arbitrations and other legal proceedings such as before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Privacy Commissioner, and the Courts.
Researches, prepares, and litigates complex cases, including complex cases and cases that have provincial ramifications including significant central rights cases.
Required to attend the Toronto and Port Hope offices.
Researching, preparing, and litigating legal cases, including complex cases and cases that have provincial ramifications including significant central rights cases, reducing the need to rely on outside counsel.
Providing advice, mentorship, and guidance to lawyers on the team and for providing authorized instruction on files, in collaboration with the Manager of Litigation. This includes providing summary advice on arbitration cases, Labour Board, HRTO and Court files.
Meeting the Litigation Team Mandate, which involves contract administration, achieving and maintaining the collective and individual rights of members, providing strategic advice, and representation of ONA and its members at rights arbitrations and in other forums (OLRB, HRTO etc.)
Providing advice in relation to other related areas of practice including human rights/return to work/accommodation, occupational health & safety, and proceedings before the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) under the Labour Relations Act, Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and/or other legislation, as required.
Drafting pleadings, researching legal issues, drafting opinion letters and briefs.
Identifying risks and opportunities related to ONA achieving its goals/mandate including litigation strategies and provincial strategies.
Demonstrated skills in coordinating and leading on the litigation team including initiating alternative adjudication models.
Demonstrate solid client relations and communication skills, and sound professional judgment.
Understanding ONA’s strategic outcomes, the litigation team’s objectives, and how one’s individual role relates to ONA’s broader outcomes.
Identifying skill, knowledge and resource gaps as required to perform tasks.
Actively participating as a team member to ensure that organizational accountabilities of the litigation team are met.
Making observable contributions to the success of other team members and to the overall performance of the team.
Acting as a leader and mentor, demonstrating a commitment to both the professional and personal growth of the litigation team.
Participation in the development of educational opportunities within the organization including presentations to staff and the development of other litigation support resources.