Assistant Town Solicitor
Posted
Closes
Job Description
Position Details
- Employment Type: Permanent Full Time (Non-Union)
- Closing Date: November 1, 2026
- Work Location: Hybrid
- Department: Legal Department
- Posting Date: October 9, 2026
Reporting to the Town Solicitor, as a member of the in-house Legal Department, the Assistant Town Solicitor serves to safeguard and advance the public interest of the municipal corporation by providing legal services and advice to staff and Council, including representing the Town in litigation and hearings, providing oral and written legal opinions, drafting and reviewing legal documents, including agreements and by-laws, preparing and reviewing reports, and attending Council meetings.
What Can I Expect To Do In This Role?
- Provide timely and strategic legal services and advice relating to all facets of municipal and planning law to Town staff and Council.
- Represent the Town in arbitrations, mediations, and litigation proceedings before the courts and administrative tribunals, including the Ontario Land Tribunal.
- Negotiate and draft legal documents that reflect applicable policies.
- Develop legal strategies, gather and prepare evidence, conduct legal research, and prepare and present legal arguments and opinions.
- Make and explain decisions with respect to interpretations of legislation and by-laws.
- Act as instructing counsel to external solicitors.
- Work with multi-disciplinary groups to determine the best way to regulate matters and deliver municipal services.
How Do I Qualify?
- A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) and qualified to practice law in Ontario.
- Member in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada with a minimum of 8 years’ related experience in municipal and planning and development law.
- Experience in advocacy before the Ontario Land Tribunal is considered an asset.
- Experience providing legal services and advice to municipal and/or broader public sector clients.
- Experience negotiating, structuring, drafting, interpreting, and providing legal counsel and services on various types of legal documents, including agreements and by-laws.
- Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, communication, and advocacy skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively amidst conflicting demands and tight timelines.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a professional team committed to excellence and client satisfaction.
- Strong negotiation, facilitation, mediation, and presentation skills, adaptable for a diverse audience.
- Advanced analytical, problem-solving, research, and decision-making abilities.
- Capacity to interpret, anticipate, and convey complex, technical, and abstract information.
- Ability to exercise authority and influence while handling sensitive information and highly confidential matters.
- Must hold a valid and unrestricted Ontario Driver’s License Class G minimum and supply own vehicle for job duties/corporate business.
- Position requires a satisfactory criminal record and judicial matters check (CRJMC) dated within the last 60 days as a condition of employment.
Core Knowledge Required For Success
Good knowledge of municipal and planning law legislation, including the Municipal Act, 2001, Planning Act, Building Code Act, 1992, Development Charges Act, 1997, and other statutes and regulations pertaining to the work of a municipal lawyer, good knowledge of applicable common law, and an ability to learn and apply corporate and departmental policies and procedures.
Your experience demonstrates the following leadership competencies:
- Strategic Thinking – thinking things through
- Engagement – working effectively with people, organizations, and partners
- Management Excellence – delivering results through own work, relationships, and responsibilities
- Accountability and Respect – serving with integrity and respect
Corporate Values: Teamwork, accountability, dedication, honesty, innovation, and respect
The Town’s recruitment software includes elements of artificial intelligence to assist in the screening and short-listing of qualified candidates.
This job profile reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all of the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. Applicants may also be required to undergo testing.
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Posted
(5 days ago)
Closing Date
Town of Oakville
Oakville, Ontario