Assistant Legal Counsel

Job summary

Draft and review municipal agreements, legal documents, by-laws, policies, and reports, and provide research, analysis, and practical legal recommendations to municipal departments and Council. Manage assigned legal files and support real estate matters, litigation, claims, tribunal proceedings, and the development of efficient legal processes.

Job details

Brief Description Job Title: Assistant Legal Counsel Department Administration Reports To Legal Counsel Rate Of Pay $109,638.39 - $123,844.21 per annum Posting Date October 13, 2026 Posting Deadline October 30, 2026 Reporting to the Legal Counsel, the Assistant Legal Counsel provides legal services and support to municipal departments and Town Council on a broad range of municipal legal matters. The position involves the preparation of legal documents, conducting research, providing legal advice, and supporting the department with legal matters and projects affecting the Town. The successful candidate will exercise independent professional judgement within assigned responsibilities, while escalating complex, sensitive, or higher-risk matters for direction, review, or approval. Requirements Primary Duties and Responsibilities Draft, review, and provide legal comments on municipal agreements and contracts, including development agreements, encroachment agreements, easements, leases, sponsorship agreemends, and procurement-related agreements. Assist with real estate transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, leases, land donations, title and registration matters, easements, and other property-related files. Conduct legal research and draft or review municipal by-laws, policies, procedures, memoranda, reports, and related documents. Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and identify potential impacts on municipal operations. Prepare legal analyses, opinions, and practical recommendations on assigned municipal matters, subject to the oversight of the Legal Counsel. Assist in preparing and presenting reports and materials for Council and committees and attend meetings as required. Manage assigned legal files, competing priorities, documentation and follow-up in an organized and timely manner. Work with municipal departments, senior management, external counsel, consultants, developers, residents, and other stakeholders to identify legal issues, mitigate risk, and advance matters toward completion. Assist with litigation, claims, disputes, expropriations, Provincial Offences matters, Ontario Land Tribunal proceedings, and other administrative tribunal matters. Prepare disclosure, court and tribunal materials, legal briefs, factums, books of authority, correspondence, and other documentation, and attend proceedings as required. Assist with matters arising under the Town's Administrative Monetary Penalty System. Support the development of legal processes, templates, procedures, and tools that improve efficiency and consistency within the Legal Division. Maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgement, and perform other related duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario Minimum of three (3) years of post-call legal experience, preferably involving municipal, public-sector, real estate, corporate/commercial, litigation, or administrative law Demonstrated knowledge of municipal law, including the Municipal Act, 2001, and other legislation affecting municipal operations Strong legal research, analytical, and written communication skills Ability to draft clear, concise, and legally sound agreements, memoranda, reports, and other legal documents Strong attention to detail and ability to identify legal, contractual, liability, and operational risks Ability to explain legal concepts clearly to non-legal audiences and build effective working relationships Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound professional judgement, and recognize when escalation is required Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint Qualifications Considered Assets Municipal or public-sector experience Experience with real estate transactions, development agreements, municipal by-laws and policies, litigation, Provincial Offences, or administrative tribunals Experience working directly with elected officials, senior municipal staff, or public-sector organizations Additional education or certification in municipal administration, municipal law, real estate, planning, or a related field Working knowledge of Teraview, Laserfiche, and other legal research, document management or municipal information systems Strong negotiation, advocacy, dispute-resolution, and presentation skills Working Conditions Duties are performed primarily indoors Regular attendance at internal and external meetings and occasional local travel may be required Hours of Work Primary hours of work are Monday to Friday (35 hours), day shift Flexibility in hours of work is required in order to attend after hour Council meetings and events as required Physical Requirements Physical work environment requiring extended periods of walking, standing, and sitting Leadership Responsibilities None Summary We thank all applicants who apply, but only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Personal information is collected pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used solely for the purpose of candidate selection. We are dedicated to equal opportunity. Accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. The recruitment process does not utilize artificial intelligence for applicant screening or selection. This posting is for a newly created position.

What you’ll do

Draft and review municipal agreements, legal documents, by-laws, policies, and reports, and provide research, analysis, and practical legal recommendations to municipal departments and Council. Manage assigned legal files and support real estate matters, litigation, claims, tribunal proceedings, and the development of efficient legal processes.

Requirements

Requires a JD or LL.B., good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, and at least three years of post-call legal experience, preferably in municipal, public-sector, real estate, commercial, litigation, or administrative law. Candidates should have strong legal research, drafting, analytical, communication, risk-assessment, and organizational skills, along with knowledge of municipal legislation and Microsoft Office.

Listed skills

• Negotiation · Preferred
• Microsoft Office · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Municipal Law
• Legal Research
• Legal Analysis
• Contract Drafting
• Agreement Review
• Real Estate Transactions
• By-Law Drafting
• Legislative Monitoring
• Litigation Support
• Tribunal Proceedings
• Risk Assessment
• Legal Writing
• Negotiation
• Dispute Resolution
• Microsoft Office
• File Management

Job areas

• Legal
• Government & Public Sector