Crown Counsel

Description

The Manitoba government recognizes the importance of building an exemplary public service reflective of the citizens it serves, where diverse abilities, backgrounds, cultures, identities, languages, and perspectives drives a high standard of service and innovation. The Manitoba government supports equitable employment practices and promotes representation of designated groups (women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, visible minorities).

Employment Equity is a factor in selection for this competition. Consideration will be given to Indigenous people and persons with disabilities.

An eligibility list may be created for similar positions and will remain in effect for 12 months.

Candidates who do not meet all essential criteria may be considered on an underfill basis at a commensurate rate of pay.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION may be assessed through all aspects of the application materials and throughout the staffing process. Therefore, all communication needs to be grammatically correct, using appropriate vocabulary and with minimal errors in punctuation and spelling. Complete sentences are to be used throughout.

Crown Counsel at LSB are members of the Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys. Compensation is commensurate with experience as set out in the collective agreement.

Legal Services Branch (LSB) is the Government of Manitoba’s full service in-house civil law office with about 70 lawyers. It provides a complete range of legal services to all government departments, and to agencies, boards, commissions and corporations that do not have their own legal counsel. This is an advanced level for senior lawyers possessing an advanced degree of expertise who have demonstrated consistently superior performance over an extensive period of time. In order to be eligible for consideration for this level, a lawyer must have a minimum of ten (10) years experience at the Manitoba bar or an equivalent bar.

LSB’s work enables the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba to fulfill the constitutional and statutory responsibility of Chief Legal Advisor to Government, and as the guardian of the public interest with respect to matters of civil law.

Legal Services Branch (LSB) is hiring two experienced lawyers to join our team.  We are recruiting:
•    One experienced litigation lawyer, and
•    One experienced corporate/commercial lawyer.
To be considered, applicants must complete and submit the required application form along with their cover letter and resume. See below for application instructions.

Click here to access the application form.

Duties:
We are seeking counsel to join our team to support LSB's mandate of providing timely, high-quality, helpful and cost-effective legal advice. Duties may include:
• Participate in strategic discussions with clients
• Lead or participate in negotiations with third parties
• Draft agreements and other documents, and provide support in contract interpretation and administration
• Conduct legal research and analysis of legal problems and prepare legal opinions
• Prepare pleadings, appear in all levels of court and before administrative tribunals.
• Provide legal advice and assistance to clients, conduct or participate in education and training opportunities for clients and colleagues and provide assistance to other counsel in the Legal Services Branch
• Participate in the review and development of legislation.

Why Work For Manitoba Government?
The Manitoba government values its employees, recognizing the important role that each person plays in delivering exceptional services, programs and support to the province. Your important contributions are recognized with a comprehensive package of benefits, including an attractive salary, pension plan, health and wellness benefits, and other supports to encourage work-life balance.
 
Financial Security

• Attractive salaries
• Defined pension plan
• Life insurance coverage
• Long-Term Disability Plan 

Benefit Plan

• Employer paid health care benefits including health, dental and vision
• Extended health care for services such as physiotherapy, chiropractor, massages, acupuncture and more
• Annual health spending account for eligible employees  

Commitment to Health and Wellness

• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Paid time-off including sick leave, wellness days and family related leave days
• Flexible work arrangements for eligible positions
• Generous vacation entitlements, increasing with years of service
• Parental, maternity, and adoptive leave options

Professional Growth & Development
We want our employees to thrive and grow, and are committing to investing in their development. We offer multiple avenues of support such as inhouse training, educational assistance and leadership development programs to help achieve these goals.  
 
Organizational Culture and Values 
The Manitoba government is committed to a work environment and culture that values and recognizes every employee. When we look at Manitoba’s Public Service, we see a reflection of Manitoba’s diversity. We come from differing educational, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds and work in a wide array of jobs across the province, we are all public servants.
 
Impact on Manitoba’s Future
By working for Manitoba’s Public Service, you have the unique opportunity to use your time to serve the land, communities, and the people of Manitoba. You can leave a lasting mark that will impact both current and future generations.

Qualifications:
Essential:

• Extensive experience practicing civil litigation or corporate commercial law in a common law jurisdiction
• Ability to develop strategy, and provide legal advice and make recommendations regarding complex files
• Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to recognize and assess legal implications and policy options 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to work in a high pressure and time sensitive environment to meet conflicting deadlines
• Superior written communication skills, including experience drafting agreements and legal opinions
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain strong and positive working relationships, including with co-workers, clients and external interests

Desired:

• Experience litigating for government 
• Experience with Aboriginal and Indigenous litigation
• Experience advising clients in the public sector 
• Experience leading / participating in negotiations
• Experience with financial transactions and procurement 

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada

• Member (in good standing) or eligible for immediate membership with The Law Society of Manitoba
• Satisfactory Child Abuse and Adult Abuse Registry Checks
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check 
• Satisfactory Enhanced Security Screening
• The ability and willingness to travel, as required

Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process.

When applying to this position, please indicate the advertisement number and position title in the subject line and/or body of your email. Your cover letter, resumé and/or application must clearly indicate how you meet the qualifications.

Please be advised that job competitions may be grieved by internal represented applicants. Should a selection grievance be filed, information from the competition file will be provided to the grievor's representative. Personal information irrelevant to the grievance and other information protected under legislation will be redacted.

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.