Staff Lawyer
Ecojustice Canada is a leading environmental law charity that is hiring Staff Lawyers in various locations including Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. The role involves working on complex environmental litigation and collaborating with a diverse team to advocate for environmental justice and policy reform.
Responsibilities
- Develop and carry complex litigation in provincial and federal courts and tribunals
- Manage new and existing cases from start to finish
- Support law reform and other work identified as priorities for Ecojustice
- Contribute as a Program (Climate, Nature, Healthy Communities) team member by:
- Researching and developing files
- Contributing to development of Program teamwork-plans
- Helping to evaluate projects proposed to the team
- Keep up-to-date on new developments in relevant areas of law, undertaking reasonable training to maximize expertise
- Assist program peers in training and maintain the highest practice standards
- Professional case management and file management
- Share administrative tasks, including interviewing new staff, supervising, and mentoring students, and helping with responses to new case inquiries
- Guide and collaborate with supporting communications staff to develop communication opportunities
- Attend and participate at fundraising or other profile-raising events (external/internal)
Skills
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Member in good standing with your provincial Law Society
- Target Year of Call and Litigation Experience
- Ability to explain legal and scientific information and concepts to the general public
- Initiative to research, develop and run cases with a team, with partner groups, as a team lead, or independently
- Commitment to working in a team environment, across disciplines, with individuals across Canada
- We value candidates who enjoy building meaningful, collaborative partnerships with equity-deserving groups and including JEDI-R values in day-to-day practices
- Experience and training in administrative, environmental, Indigenous or Aboriginal law is an asset
- Ability to litigate cases from beginning to end
- Demonstrated first chair litigation experience in matters before a trial court, appellate court or government tribunal
- Experience mentoring and supporting early career staff and providing feedback
Benefits
- Generous Time Off : Start with 4 weeks of vacation, increasing up to 6 weeks with tenure, plus an annual winter break.
- Extra Days for You : 14 public holidays (including National Indigenous Peoples Day), 2 floater days, and 4 paid hours each month for personal life admin.
- Comprehensive Benefits : 100% employer-paid extended health coverage, up to $2,000/year for mental health, $800/year for paramedical expenses, and $500/year for vision care
- Financial Wellness : 5% RRSP salary contribution after one year and a $500 annual wellness spending account.
- Hybrid Work Structure : 2 days per week in office with basic home office equipment provided and additional equipment reimbursement up to $500.
- Family Support : Employer provided Employee & Family Assistance Program. Parental leave top-up for both birthing and non-birthing parents.
- Inclusive Leave Policies : Flexible options for health, caregiving, volunteering, and life events.
- Recognized Excellence : Proudly ranked among Canada’s Top 100 charities by Charity Intelligence.
- Collaborative Culture : 99% mission alignment and 97% manager support ratings from internal surveys.
- Growth & Learning : Opportunities to advance justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation through ongoing training.
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