Senior Legal Counsel

Ornge • Mississauga, ON

1d • $142,176 - $168,384 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic and highly capable Senior Legal Counsel to provide sophisticated legal advice and support across a broad range of complex organizational matters. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, this role serves as a trusted advisor to business and operational leaders, providing practical, risk-based legal guidance that enables business objectives while ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting organizational interests.
The successful candidate:
Is responsible for providing direct legal support to Ornge administrative and operational staff (“Clients”),
Focuses on complex legal matters and may have a specialization that makes it appropriate for them to function as a relationship manager for Clients requiring regular specialist expertise, and
Functions independently in areas of specialization and independently (or with minimal support or supervision) on most matters.

Requirements

• Has general knowledge in substantive law areas common to all in-house counsel.
• Has one or more areas of relevant legal specialization (e.g. corporate/commercial, real estate, labour and employment, procurement, information technology, privacy).
• Understands and identifies key facts, and details relevant to matters on which they are advising and can use that understanding to efficiently analyse issues with a view to presenting solutions and providing advice.
• Able to review documents drafted by others, and identify issues, suggest revisions, present solutions, and negotiate changes.
• Demonstrates the ability to objectively assess situations or circumstances using all the relevant information and apply experience to conclude or decide (sound legal judgment).
• Exercises professional judgment and autonomy regarding how much research, investigation, drafting or revision a particular issue is worth thereby using own time and time of other Legal Counsel efficiently.
• Skilled in legal ethics, and professional responsibilities.
• Able to use active listening skills to understand technical requirements of other departments (including technical medical/health and aviation requirements) for the purpose of legal research and analysis and legal review, drafting, and negotiation.
• Able to synthesize information received from multiple sources (which may conflict) into cohesive and coherent advice and solutions.
• Able to clearly, concisely, and accurately draft documents, with, or without, the use of templates, precedents and AI.
• Can effectively use relevant software and technologies (e.g. MS Office Suite software – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Complies with continuing professional development obligations (including internal training at departmental and organizational level, and training required by law society).
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Licensed lawyer and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• 7-9 years’ of relevant post-call experience working as a lawyer.
• Experience at an in-house legal department or law firm.
• Strong active listening skills. Effectively facilitates discussions. Ensures proper understanding of what the assignment entails.
• Identifies issues; applies appropriate law to the facts/issues; predicts counterpoints/identifies areas where clarity is not possible; makes an assessment of outcome or a recommendation.
• Considers alternative solutions to resolve issues.
• Considers new assignments as a challenge and takes on responsibilities for the greater good of the organization.
• Genuinely values others’ input and expertise.
• Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to generate ideas, resolutions or formulate strategic decisions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with one or more of the following is considered an asset: corporate/commercial, real estate law, labour and employment law, procurement law, information technology law, and privacy law.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and support to Clients on significant and complex legal matters, including: review and drafting of complex legal agreements, supervision and coordination/management of commercial legal transactions, strategic projects and initiatives, legal research, support of collective bargaining processes, and litigation and dispute resolution, including coordination with external counsel, development of defense strategies, and representation of organizations interests.
• Works collaboratively with other business units and external partners on legal matters.
• Uses strong “legal generalist skills” and professional judgement to provide at least initial advice on most matters of relevance to the organization, identify legal issues, and assess when specialist advice may be required.
• Handles one or more specialist law areas (for example, procurement law, labour and employment law, health law, privacy law, freedom of information, aviation, or corporate/commercial).
• Monitors legal developments in specialist areas for organizational impact.
• Independently handles and supervises other counsel in matters concerning areas of specialization.
• Develops areas of specialization as necessary to address “gaps” in internal specialization, or new areas which have become relevant.
• Assists in the oversight of organizational compliance with legal regulations and relevant laws.
• Assists in the monitoring of changes in laws and regulations of relevance to the organization.
• Assists in the management of the Privacy Program and the Freedom of Information Program.

Benefits

• Health and Dental Benefit Plan Optional Enrolment.
• 24/7 Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Premium Defined Benefits Pension Plan Optional Enrollment.
• PERKS! Employee Promotional Programs relating to personal phone plans, furniture, home/car insurance, travel, fitness, attractions and more!
• Opportunities for continuing professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior