Lawyer 1-3 (Term)

About Us

This is an opportunity to join the government’s law firm – the Legal Services Division of the Department of Justice. Legal Services lawyers advise and represent the provincial government on the most pressing legal and public policy issues of the day. 

We are the legal counsel for the Government of Nova Scotia, Crown corporations, agencies, boards, and commissions. We help ensure that public affairs are administered effectively, efficiently and in accordance with the law.

This opportunity is for a position on one of our general litigation  teams.  You will provide legal advice and opinions on matters of law and legal policy to senior government officials.  You will conduct research, prepare and review legal documents, and interpret contracts, legislation, and regulations.  As a member of the litigation team, the lawyer will be responsible for the effective and efficient representation of the Crown in the course of civil proceedings before trial and appeal courts, boards, and tribunals.  Although this position is primarily based in Halifax the successful applicants will be required to travel to other parts of the province from time to time as required.

For more information on the Department of Justice Legal Services please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/LegalServices
 

Primary Accountabilities

• Appear before administrative tribunals, the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada;
• Consult with client Deputy Ministers, Executive Directors, and other senior leaders on matters involving law, negotiation, tactics, or public policy;
• Serve on interdepartmental committees and project teams with senior and intermediate staff of client departments.
   

Qualifications and Experience

As our successful candidate, you will:

• Be a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society (or eligible for practicing membership), in good standing; and
• Have a minimum of 1 year of litigation experience at the bar. 

The following are assets, but not required:

• Experience in applications for habeas corpus;
• Experience advising clients on civil procedure and/or interpretation of legislation;
• Experience in applications for judicial review;

Our successful candidate will have excellent research, analytical, and organizational skills.  You communicate effectively and persuasively, orally and in writing, and have the ability to function with minimal supervision in a team environment.  Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to offer creative and innovative solutions to complex challenges and have the flexibility to adapt and thrive in a continuously changing and demanding environment.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.
 

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
 

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.
 

Working Conditions

Physical effort includes:
 

• Sitting at a computer for long periods of time

Sensory attention includes:
 

• Ability to review voluminous written material, to write, to think conceptually and to think strategically
• Mental focus is required for long periods of time and very good memory is required
• Ability to handle adversarial people in ways that de-escalate and build insights with others in frequently required.

Mental pressure includes:
 

• Ability to handle pressure situations, multiple deadlines and many competing demands.
• Long periods of concentration are required at hearings and writing briefs
• Must handle stressful situations in a way that allows one to glean the relevant information but not engage it personally and not react to it negatively.
• May be required to work overtime on occasion
   

Additional Information

This is a Term employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2026.
 

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Mentoring and collaborative team environment.
• Ability to participate in Earned Days Off (1 day off every 3 weeks).
• Flexible working arrangements (up to 2 days of remote work per week). 
• Countless career paths within the Legal Services Division and other areas of Government.