Lawyer 1-3 (Term)

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 our Solicitor Services team, which comprises over 45 lawyers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Advising Ministers, Deputy/Associate Deputy Ministers, Executive Directors, and other senior government leaders on matters involving law, negotiation, strategy, and public policy;
2. Drafting and interpreting statutes and regulations;
3. Drafting and interpreting contracts;
4. Assisting with submissions to Cabinet;
5. Presenting information about government and law to the public generally or as part of a consultation process for public policy development;
6. Serving on project teams with senior and intermediate staff of client departments.

Qualifications and Experience

As our successful candidate, you will:

1. Be a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society (or eligible for practicing membership), in good standing;
2. Have a minimum of 3 years of legal experience at the bar.

The following are assets, but not required:

1. Experience advising government departments, Crown corporations, agencies, boards, and commissions and other public sector entities;
2. Experience with commercial transactions;
3. Experience with Trade Law.

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.

Working Conditions

Physical effort includes:

1. Sitting at a computer for long periods of time.

Sensory attention includes:

1. Ability to review voluminous written material, to write, to think conceptually and to think strategically.

Mental pressure includes:

1. Ability to handle pressure situations, multiple deadlines and many competing demands.

This is a Term employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of November 1, 2025. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

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

Salary Range: $3,297.75 – $6,084.28 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.