Regulation Counsel

The Law Society of Alberta (“Law Society”) regulates the legal profession in the public interest.

In alignment with the Law Society’s vision, mission, and strategic plan, the Regulation team is committed to promoting and enforcing a high standard of professional conduct and ensuring that lawyers within the Law Society’s jurisdiction practice in accordance with the Legal Profession Act, the Rules of the Law Society (“Rules”), and the Code of Conduct. Regulation departments actively support the Law Society’s mission to be a model regulator, including protecting the public interest and preserving the fundamental principles of justice.

As a key member of the Regulation team, Regulation Counsel will be assigned work from any regulation department, according to organizational priorities. Initially, this current position will work primarily with the Conduct team, reporting to the Manager, Conduct and Membership Legal Services.

Essential attributes of the position include flexibility and excellent communication, time management, sound ethical judgement and analytical skills and the ability to work collaboratively across multiple Law Society departments.

Key Responsibilities:

As a member of the Regulation team, you will address legal issues from any regulatory department, as assigned. Work assignments may vary over time and will include responsibilities drawn from the following list:

• Addressing complex legal issues and making decisions that impact the careers of lawyers
• On Conduct files:
  • Applying legal analysis and judgment to evaluate the conduct of the lawyer as it relates to the Legal Profession Act, the Rules and/or the Code of Conduct.
  • As necessary, either preparing a dismissal letter to explain the decision to dismiss to the complainant, or preparing a memorandum to the Conduct Committee outlining the basis for the legal opinion that the threshold test has been met and recommending next steps in the discipline process;
  • Presenting legal opinion and recommendations to Conduct Committee Panels, answering any questions, and providing legal advice regarding potential actions; and
  • Preparing for and attending Single Bencher hearings, Resignation hearings, and other applications/hearings that arise during the complaints process, such as urgent interim suspension applications.
• On Membership files: as a delegate of the Executive Director, making determinations and writing decisions regarding student-at-law applications, principal suitability and eligibility, enrolment, labour mobility, status changes, reinstatements, foreign legal consultants, professional corporation permits and licensing of limited liability partnerships.
• On Custodianship files: attending Court to obtain Custodianship Orders and Discharge Orders, managing active custodianship files and providing advice to the appointed Custodian, supporting activities related to the Law Society’s collection of custodianship costs, and providing legal advice on requests for closed files and file destruction.
• Providing support and advice to the Trust Safety department on matters of regulatory compliance with trust safety Rules and processes.
• Appearing at all levels of Court on matters including, but not limited to, production orders, custodianship orders and discharge orders.
• Providing support for issues related to the unauthorized practice of law, including drafting of relevant pleadings and attendance in Court.
• Completing compliance reporting under Fair Registration Practices Act, the Labour Mobility Act, and other reporting requirements as they arise.
• Assessing risk and developing risk management strategies on regulatory files, seeking input from other departments as necessary to ensure a coordinated Law Society response.
• Assisting with policy work on guidelines, protocols and rules that relate to the complaints process.
• Completing other file work and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Law degree and call to the Bar, required.
• Member of, or eligible for, membership with the Law Society, required.
• 5+ years of experience in private practice with significant client exposure in broad areas of law. A background in litigation is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated advanced written and oral communication skills with the ability to work effectively as part of a dynamic team.
• Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with lawyers, members of the public and others interacting with the Law Society; maintaining a confident, professional, calm and respectful demeanor even in complicated, demanding, and difficult situations.
• Ability to prioritize workloads, work under pressure, and adhere to strict deadlines.
• Effective computer literacy, including using databases and applying data stewardship practices.
• Interested in and capable of growing to meet additional challenges that may be added to this position over time.
• Some travel and offsite work may be required.

Additional Information

All inquiries and applications will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality.

The Law Society is partnering with Caldwell on this search. Interested applicants should inquire directly with Meaghan Loughry at [email protected].