Barrister & Solicitor

Role Responsibilities

Family and Surrogate Court Litigation Edmonton (FASCL Edmonton) is looking for a personal injury lawyer to join our team of lawyers that provide legal services to the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee. This role is focused on the Public Trustee’s statutory mandate under the Minors’ Property Act.

As a member of the team, your key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a high volume caseload of personal injury files;
• Providing advice and support to the client with respect to the Minors’ Property Act (MPA) and the Fatal Accidents Act (FAA);
• Appearing in all levels of court, but primarily in the Court of King’s Bench where you will be routinely handling applications in Civil Chambers;
• Drafting clear, concise, and accurate legal opinions;
• Reviewing provisional settlements for personal injury/FAA claims of minors, including the assessment of legal fees and management of net proceeds;
• Generally supporting the Court and both plaintiff and defence counsel/adjustors in concluding settlements for minors;
• Supplying expertise to the Court and litigants with matters touching on the MPA; and
• Supporting unrepresented minor plaintiffs.

Experience commencing and conducting all aspects of a personal injury or fatal accident file and other civil litigation matters is essential. The successful candidate will be expected to exhibit competency in both barrister and solicitor functions.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Highly developed verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional analytical, research, and problem solving abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast paced, dynamic environment and respond well under pressure.
• Well developed organizational and time management skills.
• The ability to identify legal issues, opportunities, and practical solutions.
• Professionalism, integrity, and a strong commitment to ethical practice and public service.
• A positive, collaborative, and adaptable approach to work.
• Experience working with, and sensitivity to, the lived experiences of Albertans from communities that have historically been marginalized or disadvantaged.

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

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.

• Agility - Must be able to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience, and work effectively in changing environments.
• Drive for Results - Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them. Follows through on duties and tasks and reports on progress.
• Develop Networks - Proactively builds networks, foster connections, and establishes trust in relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking - Understands how work contributes to the achievement of departmental goals. Anticipates changes in own area based on activities in other areas.
• Creative Problem Solving - Have the ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Build Collaborative Environment - Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Develop Self and Others - A commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others.

Qualifications

A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD). For Law degrees obtained outside Canada, proof of accreditation from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) is required. You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta. In addition, you must have at least four (4) years of legal experience in Personal Injury. However, preference will be given to those with eight (8) or more years of legal experience.

• Civil Crown Counsel 2: a minimum of 4 years of legal experience is required
• Civil Crown Counsel 3: a minimum of 11 years of legal experience is required

Candidate is required to have:

• Solid knowledge and legal experience in Personal Injury area.
• Strong court experience

A cover letter is required along with your application. In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:

• Your legal experience and expertise,
• Relevant strengths and skills, and
• Reasons for interest in the position.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Following will be the assets for this role:

• Trial and/or alternate dispute resolution skills.
• Solid practice experience from the opening of a personal injury and FAA file to completion (including billing).
• Solid knowledge of the Alberta Rules of Court.
• Effective problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Ability to work independently.

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

Hours of work: Monday - Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25 /week)

Positions Currently available: One permanent position is available.

Location: Edmonton or Calgary

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 have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.