Solicitor Ii

The Legal Services Department is a full-service law office supporting all aspects of the operations of the City of Winnipeg. Legal Services lawyers work in a defined practice area as part of the team focused on providing legal advice and support to all City departments, senior administration, boards and committees of Council.

The Legal Services Department provides opportunities for lawyers to develop individual skills and gain experience through involvement in both routine matters as well as the unique types of legal work required by a large municipal corporation. We provide a work environment that encourages and supports a healthy work life balance. Compensation and benefits are competitive, as well as providing long-term career opportunities.

**Under the general direction of the Director of Legal Services and City Solicitor, the Department is arranged into the following practice groups**:

- Grants & Governance, including by-law, policy work and program development
- Litigation - General litigation and by-law enforcement
- Labour, Employment and Human Rights
- Planning & Land Development
- Procurement
- Real Estate

**The Opportunity**:
**Solicitor (Procurement) - Solicitor 2**
- Provide legal advice and services on legal matters to the City, its departments and committees of Council (“clients”).
- Conduct contract negotiations in general and/or related to procurement contracts.
- Provide legal opinions and legal advice for all stages of procurements through a public bid solicitation, including evaluation and award, interpreting contract terms, providing legal advice regarding contract administration and contract disputes.
- Provide legal advice and input into procurement documentation (standard templates, general conditions, etc.) Materials Management Policy and Administrative Standard.
- Provide advice and representation to the City related to Contract Administrator appeals.

**Your education and qualifications include**:

- Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree, of Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or other equivalent.
- Minimum of 3 years post-articling experience practicing in the areas of contracts and procurement law or similar.
- Knowledge of contract law, procurement law and procedures and related law would be an asset.
- Knowledge of information technology (IT) and related contracts and law would be an asset.
- General knowledge of corporate and commercial law and the drafting of agreements.
- Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical and legal information in plain language to all levels of the organization and external stakeholders.
- Superior written communication skills with ability to compose a variety of confidential documents, policies, legislation and correspondence.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels of the civic organization, external contacts and the public.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills to work independently, manage multiple priorities, produce high quality work and meet deadlines.
- Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.
- Strong negotiation skills using sound judgment, diplomacy and discretion when providing legal advice, persuasively advocating and resolving contentious issues.

**Conditions of employment**:

- Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Manitoba.