Barrister & Solicitor

Role Responsibilities

If you are an experienced lawyer looking for a challenge, enjoy being on the front-line working in a fast-paced litigation-based office, and are comfortable running trials and applying your advocacy skills in all levels of court, The Family and Surrogate Court Litigation Team (FASCL) has the role for you.

The Family and Surrogate Court Litigation Team (FASCL) provides legal services and advice to Children’s Services, Community and Social Services, Maintenance Enforcement and the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee. FASCL also acts as the Central Authority with respect to Hague Convention matters (International Child Abduction). 

We are seeking an exceptional lawyer with advocacy experience at the Provincial Court of Justice, and/or the Court of King’s Bench.

Your responsibilities will include,

• Appearing in the Court of Justice on child protection applications and running trials under the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act. 
• Appearing in Court of King’s Bench on appeals of child protection matters and in Court of King’s Bench Chambers for family law related matters.
• Effective management of a busy litigation caseload. 
• Providing client-focused written and verbal legal and strategic advice to support decision-making on a wide range of issues pertaining to child protection issues, adoptions, child support and maintenance enforcement; and
• Conducting legal research and drafting clear, concise, and accurate legal opinions.

This role will encourage you to utilize your

• Exceptional legal and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication skills; oral and written.
• Excellent analytical abilities and research skills

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.

Systems Thinking: Work done is part of a larger integrated and inner-related environment. 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.

Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience and work effectively in changing environments.

Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability.

Develop Networks: Proactively building networks, connecting, and building trust in relationships with stakeholders.

Build Collaborative Environment: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively.

Develop Self and Others: 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.

Below is the minimum number of years required for each classification:

Civil Crown Counsel 1 (up to 4 years of related experience)
Civil Crown Counsel 2 (4 years to 11 years of related experience)
Civil Crown Counsel 3 (over 11 years of related experience)

As an ideal candidate you possess the following assets:

• A minimum of 1 year of related advisory and/or litigation experience.
• Demonstrated experience in family law*
• Experience providing strategic legal advice.
• Experience providing advice on the interpretation and application of legislation. 
• Negotiation and alternate dispute resolution experience
• Trial experience.

*Family law may include demonstrated work experience with the Alberta Family Law Act, the federal Divorce Act and the Child Support guidelines, and the Maintenance Enforcement Program; the Alberta Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the federal legislation; an Act respecting First Nation, Inuit and Métis Children, youth and families S.C. 2019, c.24

In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:

• Legal experience and expertise,
• Relevant strengths and skills, and
• Reasons for interest in the position

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. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Location: (Oxford Tower) 10025-102A Avenue Edmonton, AB 

This opportunity is a temporary, full-time position available for 1 year, with a strong possibility of extension.

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.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• 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
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week. 
• Leadership and mentorship programs