Legal Counsel, Court of Appeal

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Posting Date: Oct 28, 2024

Location: Calgary, AB

Company: Government of Alberta

Job Information
Job Title: Legal Counsel, Court of Appeal 
Job Requisition ID: 63848
Ministry: Justice
Location: Calgary
Full or Part-Time: Individual contract
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Contract (2 years)
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: November 18, 2024
Classification: Civil Crown Counsel 2 
Salary: $6,470.14 to $8,012.44 bi-weekly ($168,870 - $209,124 per year)

 

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx

 

The Court of Appeal of Alberta is the highest court in the province, hearing appeals in all areas of law from decisions of the Court of King’s Bench, the Alberta Court of Justice, and provincial administrative and regulatory bodies.
 

The Court of Appeal sits in both Edmonton and Calgary. Members of the Court also sit as members of the Courts of Appeal for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
 

To learn more about the Court of Appeal of Alberta, please visit: https://albertacourts.ca/ca.
 

To learn more about the Ministry of Justice, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/justice.

Role Responsibilities

Do you have a strong background in legal research and writing and well-developed analytical skills? If so, the Court of Appeal is recruiting to a legal position that may interest you!
 

Under the general supervision of and reporting to the Chief Justice of Alberta and the Court’s Executive Director/Registrar, this position assists one or two Court of Appeal Justices.
 

This role involves:

  • Assisting the Court in the efficient administration of justice through the provision of legal and administration services. 
  • Preparing for the hearing of appeals and applications, conducting research and legal analysis, preparing legal memoranda, and editing and proofreading judgments. 
  • Reviewing appeal materials and consulting with the Justices on legal issues that may require additional research, which also entails assigning and overseeing that research by Court students.
  • Staying apprised of changes in legislation and case law.
  • Maintaining and updating internal legal resources for use by the judiciary and judicial staff. 
  • Drafting and/or editing papers, speeches, or presentation materials, as requested. 
  • Participating in Court administration committee work and helping manage the student program. Legal counsel act as mentors to the articling students.
  • Adapting to change and working with evolving technologies such as e-filing, paperless court records, and electronic hearings.
     

To be successful in this role, you must possess:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including speechwriting skills.
  • Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, prioritizing, and multi-tasking skills.
  • Well-developed legal research skills.
  • Ability to work in a highly demanding environment with limited supervision.
     

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

Qualifications

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree supplemented with a minimum of four (4) years directly related legal experience. 

Related legal experience includes extensive experience with Canadian legal research tools, well-developed research and analytical skills, and exceptional legal writing skills. It also includes prior court or tribunal experience. 

Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta or eligibility for membership is required. 

All applicants must provide a cover letter, law school transcripts, and a general writing sample. In your cover letter, please provide a brief overview (approximately 300-400 words) of how your skills and qualifications make you suitable for this role. Writing samples will be assessed for quality of work as part of the screening process.

Assets

A strong academic standing is essential. Preference will be given to candidates with:

  • A Master of Laws degree (LLM)
  • Law journal and other legal writing experience
  • Supervisory work experience 
  • Written and oral communication skills in French


Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Position Information:

  • This posting will be used to fill one (1) contract, full-time position with a duration of two (2) years.
  • Hours of Work: 7.25 hours per day (36.25 hours per week), Monday to Friday. 
  • Location: Court of Appeal in Calgary (450 - 1st St. S.W.).
     

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 
 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:
 

*Contract employees are not eligible for LTDI benefits; other applicable benefits may vary.

Please note that contract employees are not eligible to participate in the GoA pension plan.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in-depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
 

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.
 

 As the successful candidate, you will demonstrate the following competencies:
 

  • Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and work effectively in a changing environment.
  • Develop Networks: Proactively build networks and connect and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.
  • Build Collaborative Environments: Lead and contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
  • Systems Thinking: The work done within the APS is part of a larger integrated and interrelated environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems Thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
  • Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
  • Drive for Results: Determine what outcomes are important and maximize the use of resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and all stakeholders.
  • Develop Self and Others: Commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of self and others.
     

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Instructions for your Resume: Please indicate dates (including month and year) associated with all education and work experience.
 

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/job-application-resources#before for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.
 

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)(https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information (https://canalliance.org/en/default.html).
 
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Sonya Bartley-Wynter at Sonya.Bartley-Wynter@gov.ab.ca.