City : Toronto

Category : Legal Services

Industry : Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

Employer : Toronto Community Housing Corporation

What we offer

In addition to a competitive salary and a rewarding career where you can truly make a difference, we offer a comprehensive package that meets the various needs of our diverse employees, including:

• Ability to participate in inclusive employee-led networks to educate, inspire, amplify voices, build relationships and provide development opportunities;
• Minimum four (4) weeks of paid annual vacation days, increasing with years of service;
• Four (4) paid personal days;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, includes 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Health and dental benefits, including a health spending account available upon your start date;
• Employee and family assistance program;
• Maternity and parental leave top up (93% of base salary);
• Training and development programs including tuition reimbursement of $1500 per calendar year;
• Fitness membership discount.

Hybrid Job: This job offers the opportunity to work from home as part of a hybrid work arrangement. This arrangement will allow you to work some days at a TCHC work location and the rest of the time from home. The amount of time required to work at a TCHC work location is flexible, while considering operational and service delivery requirements.

Make a Difference

We are currently looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to join the litigation team within the Legal Services Division, reporting to Toronto Community Housing's General Counsel. Our litigation team provides a broad range of litigation services to all business units within the company including: corporate/commercial litigation, landlord and tenant matters, insurance defence work, appellate advocacy, privacy and access, and human rights issues, in a manner that aligns with TCHC's tenant focused culture. They also work closely with Toronto Community Housing’s Corporate, Real Estate and Employment Law Groups, as well as our Insurance & Risk Management Group.
 
In addition to managing your own litigation case load, you will be responsible for the management and mentorship of the Legal Services Division’s Litigation Group consisting of 6+ paralegals, 3+ lawyers, 6+ other skilled staff, and articling, paralegal and summer legal students working with the group on a rotating basis.

What You'll Do

• Maintain independent carriage of litigation files from start to finish, including initial assessments of claims and litigation strategy up to and including trial.
• Effectively represent TCHC in legal proceedings before various courts and tribunals.
• Effectively manage external litigation counsel with respect to complex litigation matters.
• Working in collaboration with the General Counsel, manage and mentor the 15+ employees in TCHC`s Litigation Group including management of staffing, workload management, budgets, and career development.
• Lead and contribute to high-priority Legal Services Division initiatives including knowledge transfer, document management, and business efficiencies.
• Provide strategic legal advice and opinions to the Insurance & Risk Management Group, insurers and other TCHC business units to mitigate legal and business risks.
• Provide proactive legal advice and recommendations to TCHC business units on defence strategies, policies and procedures.

What You'll Need

• JD or LL.B, as well as membership in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada.
• Minimum of 8-10 years’ knowledge and experience in civil litigation in Ontario.
• Experience in civil litigation with a focus on landlord and tenant matters.
• Experience with a large, public sector unionized environment is an asset.
• Proficiency with the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Rules of Evidence applicable to Superior Court.
• Superior advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a number of complex files, initiatives, and demands concurrently.
• Experience in managing a team of lawyers and skilled staff.

What's Next

Once you apply, we’ll review your resume and cover letter to determine if your skills and experience match the qualifications for the role. Only qualified candidates will be contacted to move forward in the hiring process. If you are contacted, the process will include an interview, written/practical test, and reference check.