Senior Lead Discipline Counsel, Litigation Services, Professional Regulation (Hybrid, Toronto)

JOB PURPOSE

The primary responsibilities of Senior Lead Discipline Counsel involve representing the Law Society in significant, high risk and/or high profile legal professional regulatory matters before the Law Society Tribunal and in the courts.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• An LL.B. or J.D. or equivalent education and training, coupled with being a licensee in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario*.
• A minimum of 15 years litigation experience (and preferably, with significant experience in a regulatory context), ideally in front of both courts and administrative tribunals.
• The role is reserved for counsel who are seasoned, driven, results-oriented, with robust advocacy and negotiation skills and sound judgement.
• This role embodies the Law Society's corporate values and has the knowledge and expertise to advance the Law Society's regulatory role and public protection mandate.
• In-depth understanding of the Law Society's mandate, services, legislation and policies.
• Extensive knowledge of investigation and prosecutorial practices.
• Extensive knowledge of the rules of evidence, the rules of procedure, and the law concerning privilege and documentary disclosure.
• Superior litigation skills.
• Superior legal research skills, including internet research.
• Ability to analyze and digest spoken and written information within a legal environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in both spoken and written language in individual and group settings.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to assess challenges from multiple and different perspectives to craft creative solutions.
• Advanced computer literacy, including familiarity with word processing programs, spreadsheets, databases and Portable Document Format (PDF) related software.
• Broad understanding of the application of information technology to knowledge management, preferably in a regulatory / legal environment.

*By submitting your application for employment, you agree to a clearance check of your regulatory history with the Law Society, and to the use of this information in assessing suitability for employment at the Law Society.

Client / Customer Service Delivery

• In conduct of significant, high risk and/or high profile matters, role is responsible for preparing cases for hearing, communicating with licensees and their counsel, attending prehearing and proceeding management conferences, communicating with Law Society staff and complainants, and, ultimately achieving a fair, timely, and efficient regulatory outcome based on thorough risk assessment.

• Provides legal advice to members of Litigation Services, Investigation Services, the Executive Director's Office, and other staff in Professional Regulation and the Law Society as required.

• Carries a full caseload, with the specific number of cases at any given time being dependent on the size and complexity of their complement of cases.

Leadership

• Occupies a leadership role in the department as a result of their advanced skill and expertise.
• Exhibits the behaviour and qualities associated with the Law Society's corporate values and to demonstrate the ethical and professional standards of a model licensee in all their interactions, both internal and external to the organization.
• As the most senior litigator in the department, role serves as a mentor and provides guidance and support to all staff in Litigation Services.
• On occasion, role may be asked to participate in the recruitment of new personnel.

Reseach and Policy Development

• As directed by the Director or Senior Manager, Litigation Services, role is responsible for initiating, researching, and recommending appropriate policy changes related to the improvement of the regulatory process.
• Participates on Bencher committees and working groups as requested.

Performance Goals, Targets and Standards

• Lead the development of standardized practices, guidelines and procedures for the prosecution of legal professional regulatory cases, comply with caseload priorities, timelines and strategies when dealing with significant, high risk and/or high profile matters.
• Works with others in Litigation Services to establish, monitor and continuously improve processes and case management performance.

Team Membership

• Promote the sharing and transfer of knowledge, applicable standards, and information amongst members of the Litigation Services department and the rest of the Professional Regulation division.
• Works with and share expertise with other regulatory bodies, and legal organizations, as directed by the Senior Manager, Litigation Services, or Director, Litigation Services.

The Law Society has introduced a Distributed Workforce Model to leverage flexibility and agility, and to maximize employee productivity and engagement. Work arrangements will be determined by role and departmental requirements. The working arrangement for this position has been classified as hybrid, where the employee will regularly flex their work location between home and office. The specific application of this will be communicated to applicants contacted during the recruitment process.