
Legal Counsel
- Canada
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Reporting to the Director, Legal Services & Associate Corporate Secretary supports related portfolios on corporate governance and compliance matters in the context of applicable legislation, regulation and Provincial directives applying to the Corporation.
- Drafts and reviews Board and Committee reports and meeting minutes, opinions and other corporate documents such as by-laws and related operational policies falling within the Board of Directors' oversight responsibilities.
- Provides high-quality and timely legal advice, strategic advice, research, opinions, guidance and service on matters pertaining to corporate governance and compliance matters.
- Advises on the interpretation and application of various administrative, regulatory and governance requirements as may apply to the Corporation.
- Supports the establishment and maintenance of processes and tools to facilitate retention of knowledge, information and decisions made with respect to legal advice provided, and the consistent application of such advice across the enterprise.
- Drafts and reviews contracts, memoranda of understanding and other legal documents.
- Conducts and where appropriate, oversees legal research to provide legal advice and opinions on a diverse range of complex legal matters.
- Accountable for matters within an assigned portfolio of legal work grouped by business unit, program, or project, as assigned by a senior lawyer.
- Oversees legal work completed by articling students and summer law students
- Builds and maintains effective working relationships with government stakeholders (e.g. Ministry of Transportation, Infrastructure Ontario, municipalities), contractors, consultants, project partners, and other stakeholders, as required.
- Works with external counsel on corporate governance, compliance and transaction matters and when drafting documents, researching legal matters, or providing instructions.
- Makes presentations on current legal issues to relevant internal Metrolinx stakeholder groups.
- Maintains awareness of current provincial and federal legislation and regulations that may affect Metrolinx; recommends amendments to existing policies and procedures arising from relevant legislative or regulatory changes; provides advice/opinions on the interpretation of legislation.
- Contributes to enhancing corporate policies and procedures and provides opinions and advice to the corporation.
- Provides advice and prepares legal documents that comply with the law and mitigate exposure to unacceptable risk and/or financial loss in compliance with Metrolinx's enterprise risk management framework.
- Supports Section 28 applications to the Minister of Finance, as required.
- Completion of a degree in law or a related discipline - or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent.
- Proven experience as a lawyer at a reputable law firm and/or in-house legal group (including at other provincial agencies or the Province of Ontario).
- Membership in the Law Society of Ontario, as a Lawyer in good standing, is required
- Knowledge of corporate governance principles and best practices.
- Knowledge of the Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act (FIPPA) and related regulatory requirements.
- Ability to identify and resolve legal issues and translate legal concepts into readily understandable advice.
- Ability to work well, as a full and valuable member of an integrated business-legal team.
- Negotiation, interpersonal, and communication (both oral and written) skills to prepare legal documents.