Associate Solicitor

Why Guelph:
**What we offer**
We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

- Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
- Paid personal days;
- Hybrid and flexible work arrangements;
- Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
- Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
- Employee and Family Assistance Program;
- Parental leave top up program;
- Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
- Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview:
Resumes are being accepted for the position of **Associate Solicitor - Land Use Planning and Development Law** in the Legal and Court Services Department within the Corporate Services service area. Reporting to the City Solicitor, this role will provide legal representation and advice to City Council and City Departments related to land use planning and development law, including providing strategic legal advice with respect to legislative and policy frameworks related to housing.

**Key duties and responsibilities**
General
- Under the general direction of the City Solicitor (and, in the case of Junior Associate Solicitor, of senior Associate Solicitors in the Legal Services department), the incumbent will provide high quality and effective legal advocacy, advice, and services to the management and staff of the City in areas of land use planning, development law, development charges and agreements, as well as advocacy on behalf of the City before administrative tribunals including the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Advocacy
- Assume carriage of (or assist in) a variety of Ontario Land Tribunal matters on behalf of the City, including preparation of pleadings and other documents, and appearing before the Tribunal.
- Conduct preparatory work including file review, research, verifying and investigating facts, interviewing witnesses, compiling and drafting documentation.
- Anticipate probable and possible legal outcomes and present solutions to staff and Council (or provide assistance in such matters).

Advice and Legal Documents
- Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda and legal opinions on a variety of legal matters relevant to the municipality and the legal implications of matters of law on operational and strategic decisions.
- Deliver competent and timely oral and written legal advice on the Municipal Act, 2001, Planning Act, Development Charges Act, and other relevant municipal legislation.
- Draft (or contribute to the drafting of) and review municipal agreements, by-laws, and other legal documents relating to municipal land use planning and development.
- Prepare (or contribute to the preparation of) and review Council and Committee reports.
- Attend (or contribute to preparations for) Council and Committee meetings and other public meetings, as required.

Negotiate
- Protect the City’s interests and advance the City’s objectives by discussion and negotiation (or in an assisting capacity) with external groups, lawyers, government bodies and others.

Knowledge and Expertise
- Stay abreast and provide advice relating to changes in legislation, regulation and case law impacting the City.
- Maintain current knowledge and provide strategic legal advice on land use planning-related matters in a manner that is responsive to the needs of City Council and City departments.

Other
- Undertake or contribute to special projects within the Legal Services department or with other City departments in furtherance of the Corporation’s strategy and objectives.
- Work in multi-disciplinary teams, both in leadership and support roles as required.
- Work in accordance with the provisions of applicable Health and Safety legislation and all City of Guelph corporate and departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety.
- Contribute to organizational culture of service, inclusiveness, wellness and learning.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

**Modification of Duties for Junior Associate Solicitor**
- A Junior Associate Solicitor would have the duties above, primarily under supervision of the City Solicitor or the senior Associate Solicitor, Land Use Planning and Development Law.
- A Junior Associate Solicitor would also have an opportunity to work closely the City Solicitor and other senior Associate Solicitors in the Legal Services department to gain experience in a variety of areas of municipal law.

**Qualifications and requirements**
- Completion of an undergraduate degree and law degree.
- Licensed to practice law in Ontario and a lawyer licensee in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- Excellent legal research and analytical skills and strong ability to explain and present complex ideas in a clear and understandable fashion.
- Excellent oral advocacy with the ability to clearly and persuasively communicate and influence.
- Considerable knowledge a