Senior Legal Counsel

SCH II-25-2044NE

Senior Legal Counsel
1 - Permanent Position
Legal Services
Schedule II, Level 11
(Non-Union – 12 Months)
$140,619 - $168,742

The Toronto District School Board adheres to equitable hiring, employment, and promotion practices.

Overall Purpose

Reporting to the Executive Officer, Legal Services, the Senior Legal Counsel is responsible for providing strategic legal advice and drafting, negotiating and reviewing commercial contracts.

Required areas of practice: corporate/commercial law.

Preferred additional areas of practice: privacy, construction/real property law, education law.

Summary of Duties

• Independently draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of agreements and related documents, including requests for proposals, vendor agreements, engagement letters, SaaS agreements, privacy protection agreements, and master services agreements;
• Identify potential areas of legal risk and make recommendations on risk mitigation;
• Conduct legal research to provide legal advice and opinions on a diverse range of complex legal matters;
• Develop legal resources and deliver training and professional development sessions;
• Negotiate with external groups, lawyers, government bodies and other stakeholders;
• Prepare and review Board and committee reports;
• Provide legal advice at Board meetings and committees;
• Monitor changes to relevant laws and communicate developments to senior staff;
• Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives representing Legal Services;
• Contribute to department goals and initiatives to efficiently and effectively deliver legal services;
• Provide leadership and direction to legal support staff (e.g. interns, students-at-law, etc.);
• Adhere to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (or Juris Doctor);
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario;
• Minimum of four (4) years post-call experience;
• Strong knowledge of corporate/commercial law and experience negotiating and drafting a wide range of commercial contracts;
• Understanding of the Broader Public Sector (BPS) Procurement Directive;
• Knowledge of corporate governance principles and best practices;
• Knowledge of legislation governing education and school board operations is an asset;
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles of equity, human rights, and Indigenous reconciliation;
• Proven expertise in solving new and complex problems and developing innovative strategies to achieve results;
• Ability to work independently while being an effective member of a team;
• Highly effective research, communication and presentation skills; and
• Excellent organizational skills to handle multiple and competing priorities.

Special Requirements

• Requires travel to schools and TDSB sites, law offices, courts, tribunals,
• Must be available to work extended hours (evenings/ weekends) as required.

Additional Information

Location: 5050 Yonge Street (Hybrid Work Eligible)

Work Year: 12 Months

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will not be acknowledged in writing.

The Toronto District School Board is deeply committed to promoting Truth, Reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous peoples, Human Rights, Equity and Anti-Racism, and the elimination of Oppressive Practices, in our schools, our workplace and in the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals including those with varied lived experiences that can contribute to the diversification of the workforce at TDSB.

We strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance during the application process.

The TDSB follows a hybrid work structure where some employees may be able to work remotely at times, based on operational requirements. Please refer to Policy P103, Flexible Working Arrangements for more information.