Legal Counsel

Role Responsibilities

Are you a strategic legal professional who thrives on shaping legislation, influencing policy, and strengthening access to justice for Albertans?

The Strategic and Policy Branch is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to provide expert legal advice and leadership on administrative justice, legislative modernization, and tribunal governance across government. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact legal and policy initiatives that support fair, accessible, and effective administrative decision-making throughout Alberta. This role operates at the intersection of law, policy, and public administration, helping to shape the future of Alberta's administrative justice system.

As a Legal Counsel, you will:

• Provide strategic legal advice on the structure, mandate, governance, and authority of administrative tribunals. 
• Lead and support legislative initiatives, including the development, amendment, modernization, and interpretation of legislation and regulations. 
• Analyze legal and policy issues to ensure alignment with constitutional requirements, administrative law principles, and procedural fairness. 
• Identify and assess complex legal risks arising from policy, legislation, governance models, and operational practices. 
• Advise senior leaders on high-impact administrative justice matters, balancing legal considerations, public interest, and government priorities. 
• Collaborate with policy teams, tribunal leadership, and legal counsel to develop coordinated legal approaches and solutions. 
• Support the development of consistent legal frameworks and guidance across tribunals and administrative justice programs. 

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Strong legal research, writing, statutory interpretation, and strategic advisory skills. 
• Exceptional communication, consultation, and relationship-building abilities. 
• The ability to anticipate risks, influence decision-making, and develop innovative solutions to challenging legal issues.
  
  

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.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree, supplemented by 11+ years of directly related experience.
• Internal candidates who are currently at a Civil Crown Counsel 3 or Crown Prosecutor 3 classification are encouraged to apply.
• For Law degrees obtained outside of Canada, proof of accreditation from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) is required.
• Related legal experience includes work in public, administrative, constitutional, or related areas of law.
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta, or eligibility for membership, is required.
  
  

Assets
Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Significant experience in public, administrative, criminal, or constitutional law.
• Work experience advising on legislative development or complex policy initiatives.
• Experience working with justice systems, tribunal design, and judicial review principles.
• Experience working with senior-level government staff.
• Work experience managing complex projects, addressing sensitive issues and working with cross-functional teams.
• Fluency in written and spoken French.
  
  

All applicants are required to submit a cover letter. In approximately 300 to 400 words, describe how your skills, experience, and qualifications make you a strong candidate for this role. The cover letter will be used to assess written communication skills and as part of the screening process. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

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

Notes

Position Information:

• This posting will be used to fill one (1) permanent, full-time position.
• Hours of Work: 7.25 hours per day (36.25 hours per week), Monday to Friday. 
• Location: John E. Brownlee Building, Edmonton.
  
  

Final candidates will be required 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.