BC Staff Lawyer - Expert/Senior

Ecojustice•Vancouver, BC

33d•Hybrid

About The Position

Joining Ecojustice as a Staff Lawyer means working at the forefront of environmental law on precedent-setting cases. You’ll collaborate with a team of passionate lawyers, advocates, and communications professionals. You have the opportunity to work with experts and community leaders to represent clients including impacted communities, Indigenous Nations, coalition groups, nature itself and others whose environments need advocates. Working primarily in our Nature program, your work will focus on exciting litigation and legal challenges in conservation, biodiversity protection, and nature. We work closely with many Indigenous Nations, and we represent many Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations working to protect nature, ranging from salmon, migratory birds, caribou, and ecologically significant areas. Working on nature files offers opportunities to develop and apply novel and emerging legal concepts and engage with international and Canadian law as well as Indigenous legal orders. From applying existing laws to advancing legislation and strengthening regulations, you’ll help shape policies that protect nature and deliver environmental justice. If you’re ready to use your legal skills to create lasting change, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD)
Member in good standing with the Law Society of BC
Target of 12-15+ year of call with minimum 10 years of litigation experience
Ability to litigate cases from beginning to end
Demonstrated first chair litigation experience in matters before a trial court, appellate court or government tribunal
Ability to explain legal and scientific information and concepts to the general public
Experience and training in relevant areas of law including administrative, environmental, Indigenous or Aboriginal law
Initiative to research, develop and run cases with a team, with partner groups, as a team lead, or independently
Experience mentoring and supporting early career staff and providing feedback
Commitment to working in a team environment, across disciplines, with individuals across Canada
We value candidates who enjoy building meaningful, collaborative partnerships with equity-deserving groups and including JEDI-R values in day-to-day practices

Nice To Haves

Specific experience with Section 35 Aboriginal Treaty Rights, Indigenous Law, and Aboriginal Law is an asset but not a requirement

Responsibilities

Develop and carry complex litigation in provincial and federal courts and tribunals
Manage new and existing cases from start to finish
Support law reform and other work identified as priorities for Ecojustice
Contribute as a Program (Climate, Nature, Healthy Communities) team member by: researching and developing files contributing to development of Program teamwork-plans helping to evaluate projects proposed to the team
Keep up-to-date on new developments in relevant areas of law, undertaking reasonable training to maximize expertise
Assist program peers in training and maintain the highest practice standards
Professional case management and file management
Share administrative tasks, including interviewing new staff, supervising, and mentoring students, and helping with responses to new case inquiries
Guide and collaborate with supporting communications staff to develop communication opportunities
Attend and participate at fundraising or other profile-raising events (external/internal)

Benefits

Generous Time Off: Start with 4 weeks of vacation, increasing up to 6 weeks with tenure, plus an annual winter break.
Extra Days for You: 14 public holidays (including National Indigenous Peoples Day), 2 floater days, and 4 paid hours each month for personal life admin.
Care Days: for your health and wellness, 15 paid days per year you can use for illness, mental health, family support or care, year over year carryover up to 120 days
Comprehensive Benefits: 100% employer-paid extended health coverage, up to $2,000/year for mental health, $800/year for paramedical expenses, and $500/year for vision care
Financial Wellness: 5% RRSP salary contribution after one year and a $500 annual wellness spending account.
Hybrid Work Structure: 2 days per week in office with basic home office equipment provided and additional equipment reimbursement up to $500.
Family Support: Employer provided Employee & Family Assistance Program. Parental leave top-up for both birthing and non-birthing parents.
Inclusive Leave Policies: Flexible options for health, caregiving, volunteering, and life events.
Recognized Excellence: Proudly ranked among Canada’s Top 100 charities by Charity Intelligence.
Collaborative Culture: 99% mission alignment and 97% manager support ratings from internal surveys.
Growth & Learning: Opportunities to advance justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation through ongoing training.