Legal Counsel

Government of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

53d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ministry of Alberta Justice helps ensure that all Albertans can live in safe and resilient communities while having access to a fair and innovative justice system. Working alongside its partners in law enforcement, family justice, health, the judiciary, criminal justice system and other stakeholders, the ministry has a direct or shared responsibility in all elements of the justice system in Alberta. The Justice Deputy Minister’s Office (DMO) has a permanent opportunity for a strategic thinker and experienced lawyer to join their team as Legal Counsel. Reporting to the General Counsel, Office of the DMO, this Legal Counsel role will act as a trusted advisor and member of the ministry’s DMO, working to ensure that legal perspectives shape policy and program development. The position supports the integrity of government operations and helps navigate sensitive, high-profile issues involving diverse stakeholders. The Legal Counsel provides strategic advice relating to legal issues related to Justice, and works with divisions to address emerging issues. The individual must understand, analyze and convey complex information to the Minister's Office, Assistant Deputy Minister offices, and ministry staff. This Legal Counsel role will support the DMO by managing and providing legal review of policy initiatives, media/communications materials, and other work products in a timely and comprehensive manner through the ministry. The position will also act as a strategic advisor, working with divisions to advance key legal and policy files. This position requires effective collaboration and consultation skills, high organizational skills and attention to detail, and the ability to articulate and represent the ministry on a variety of initiatives. This position works closely with staff in each divisional Assistant Deputy Minister's Office to manage issues and ensure appropriate assignment and timely, accurate completion of requests. The ability to change directions quickly and re-prioritize activities in a high volume, highly complexity and fast-paced environment is essential attribute of the position. This position includes a strong component of strategic issues management and coordination working closely with the DMO, Ministry Correspondence Unit, other executive offices, as well as ministry staff on key background documents to support government decision making on and to provide direction on information products to ensure they are accurate and meet the needs of the Minister and DM. The Legal Counsel must be able to produce and revise quality legal work products on matters of strategic significance to government. Strong legal analysis and writing skills are essential. The Legal Counsel will be faced with situations involving ambiguity and must exercise extensive judgment and problem solving skills to support the DMO to balance priorities and achieve the needs of the ministry, divisions and branches along with external stakeholders. The nature of the issues that are presented range from the day-to-day issues arising from ministry operational issues to emergent issues arising from the Deputy Minister or Minister's Office. The Legal Counsel is expected to competently manage intermediate to senior-level legal matters with medium to high risk and complexity. Advice should be solution-focused, clear, concise, and practical. This position is relied on to anticipate, detect and access complex issues to determine their level of urgency and provide leadership to others in developing associated approaches for resolution.

Requirements

A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD).
Minimum of eleven (11) years of related experience.
Active membership or immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta.
Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner. Superior legal analysis, writing and communication skills are essential.
High level of political acumen and judgment, including sensitivity to the political environment.
Ability to exercise a high degree of independent decision-making in applying professional standards, judgment and objectivity in dealing with sensitive and complex issues.
Ability to anticipate and proactively resolve issues. Critical thinking and problem solving skills, including the ability to identify and analyze multi-faceted issues, and develop solutions to issues and information requests.
Strong strategic thinking skills, including the ability to understand the "big picture" and how the work of the divisions aligns together and how this aligns with ministry and government priorities.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, and relationship building skills to work with internal and external stakeholders.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple assignments, activities, competing demands and responsibilities on a daily basis.
Ability to work well in a high pressure, fast-paced environment and to remain calm under pressure.
Specific knowledge of department/government planning processes and requirements as well as Minister and Deputy Minister correspondence guidelines. Familiarity with and willingness to apply the Justice Style Guide when reviewing and editing briefing notes for ARTS.
An understanding of the flow of information and decision making pathways within Justice and government generally, including legislative processes.
Knowledge of the general practice areas of each Justice division, and the ministry's organizational structure.
Understanding of the responsibilities of major officials in government.

Nice To Haves

A sound understanding of the ministry's mandate, priorities, business goals, and organizational structure, including a thorough understanding of government and ministry strategic directions.
An understanding and background in criminal law is an asset.

Responsibilities

Provide high-quality legal and strategic advice (including on issues with high risk and high complexity).
Deal effectively with politically sensitive issues raised including providing accurate and timely information and balancing confidentiality provisions, program and service integrity and the needs of clients and stakeholders.
Forward thinking to identify and proactively address issues and trends, and bring them to the attention of the DMO team.
Working closely with the Minister's Office, Deputy Minister, DO staff, staff in each divisional Assistant Deputy Minister's Office, and the Justice Executive Team on a wide variety of matters, including divisional communications.
Review and coordinate briefing notes and related submissions to the DMO, including review of legal content, ensuring that briefings and correspondence succinctly identify the issues, meet quality standards, and reflect the government/ministry's policy or position. Provide information and feedback to drafters as needed.
Lead and coordinate departmental review and approval of daily communications and media materials from Communications.
Addressing issues directly;
Determining level of prioritization;
Researching and coordinating supporting information;
Taking appropriate action to ensure issues are dealt with in an effective and consistent manner.
Issues are complex, diverse and often politically sensitive, and can range from day-to-day operational concerns to those associated with policy and procedures.
Resolution of issues in the context of considerable consultation and/or the absence of the Deputy Minister/General Counsel/Executive Director, Executive Operations.
Gaining the co-operation of others in the department to work together to resolve issues in the midst of competing priorities. This is dependent on the individual's ability to establish effective relationships and demonstrate knowledge of Ministry issues and sensitivities.
Provision of immediate responses to the Minister's office requiring research and problem-solving skills, and sound judgment within tight timelines and the ability to remain calm under pressure.