Opportunities Lawyer 1-3 (Family Law) (Term)

About Us

This is an opportunity to join the governments 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.

For more information on the Department of Justice Legal Services please visitour website.

About Our Opportunity

This opportunity is for a position on our Family Litigation team in Halifax. Successful candidates may be asked to appear at Court locations outside of Halifax.

Primary Accountabilities

Consult with client representatives including Deputy Ministers Executive Directors and other senior leaders on matters involving law negotiation tactics or public policy; may attend management committees of client departments or frequently attend the meetings;
Advising Ministers Deputy/Associate Deputy Ministers Executive Directors and other senior government leaders on matters involving law negotiation strategy and public policy;
Appear before the Supreme Court (Family Division) Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada (occasionally);
Drafting Affidavits and other documents and representing the client in court often on short timelines;
Presenting information about government and law to the public generally or as part of a consultation process for public policy development; and
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).
• Have legal practice experience in family law.
• Have a working knowledge of computer software programs internet and electronic mail.
  

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.

The following are assets but not required:

• Practice experience in child protection law.
• Practice experience representing a child protection agency.
• Experience practicing within government.
  

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 aDefined 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.

Additional Information

This is a Term employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of February 28th 2027. This position is based in Halifax.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance tools resources and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Mentoring and collaborative team environment
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued respected connected and tuned in we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules