Barrister & Solicitor

Role Responsibilities

Do you want to work in an exciting and developing area of law with supportive and skilled colleagues? At FASCL, we are committed to providing a supportive and collegial team environment where lawyers work to provide excellent legal services to our clients.

As a Family and Surrogate Court Litigation lawyer, your roles and responsibilities will include but will not be limited to:

• Independently representing Children and Family Services in court applications, trials, and appeals under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA) at all court levels, at least three to four days per week,
• Delivering oral and written arguments in court,
• Independently managing a high-volume caseload within short timelines,
• Providing legal advice on the application and interpretation of the CYFEA and of Canada’s Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families and the Director’s obligations under those Acts,
• Representing the Director of Maintenance Enforcement, and the Director under Part 5 of the Income and Employment Supports Act in all levels of court on child support matters,
• Providing confidential and sensitive legal opinions and advice, both verbally and in writing, for the direct client and client ministries,
• Drafting accurate, clear, concise, and practical legal opinions,
• Involvement in proceedings on matters with high risk and complexity,
• Collaborating with clients to support the advancement of government priorities,
• Evaluating legal risks independently and advising on appropriate mitigation strategies,
• Coordinating legal advice and services in collaboration with colleagues and clients,
• Providing ongoing litigation updates and strategic advice to clients throughout proceedings,
• Reviewing and assessing documents for disclosure within legal proceedings, and
• Travelling within Alberta to represent and support the client in regional court locations as required. 

Our ideal candidates are looking for a challenge and will demonstrate:

• Experience appearing in court, conducting trials, and applying high level of advocacy skills at all court levels,
• Effective analytical, problem solving, and communication, interpersonal, and client-management skills,
• Strong oral and written court advocacy skills,
• Experience delivering practical, client-focused advice that supports informed decision making,
• Ability to work on the front line in a fast-paced litigation environment,
• Strong negotiation and alternative dispute resolution skills,
• Experience conducting legal research, preparing legal opinions, briefs and facta, and drafting court applications and affidavits,
• Ability to think strategically and work independently when managing litigation files, and
• Ability to manage a heavy and high-volume caseload while working collaboratively with clients and colleagues.

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

Below is the list of critical competencies required for these roles:

• 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 Self and Others: Desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of self and others.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Develop Networks: Proactively builds networks, connects and build trust in relationships with different 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD) is required.
• You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta.
• Experience required:
  • Civil Crown Counsel 2: Minimum of 4 years of legal experience.
  • Civil Crown Counsel 3: Minimum of 11 years of legal 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.

Assets:

• Experience and familiarity with the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, Maintenance Enforcement Act, Family Law Act and Child Support Guidelines.
• Contested Trial experience (either in the child protection, family law or criminal contexts).
• Experience with/Knowledge of Constitutional/ Aboriginal Law.
• Litigation experience with the Court of Justice and the Court of King’s Bench.
• Experience with appeals, judicial reviews, and/or administrative tribunals.
• Experience with negotiation and alternate dispute resolution.
• Experience in building relationship with clients and stakeholders.
• Previous experience with crown prosecutor is acceptable.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

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

Positions Currently available: One Permanent position is available. This posting might be used to fill similar opportunities in the future as well.

Location: Oxford Tower, 10025 - 102A Avenue, Edmonton

A Hybrid/Remote work opportunity is NOT available.

Final candidates will be asked to undergo a criminal records check (CRC). 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 we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.