Description
Negotiation and Governance Associate regarding Self-Determination and Jurisdiction
JFK Law LLP is a specialty law firm focused on delivering high quality legal services to Indigenous people, communities, and organizations. We have offices in Victoria, Vancouver, and Toronto but serve our clients across Canada.
As a firm dedicated to serving Indigenous people, we strongly encourage Indigenous applicants to apply.
Role Overview
We are seeking a full-time associate to assist the JFK Partners, senior counsel, and senior associates to represent First Nations clients in negotiations, decision-making and jurisdictional assertions, and governance matters. This will primarily include work on:
- Rights assertions, advocacy and negotiation of jurisdictional and relationship agreements,
- regulatory and consultation matters and decision-making recognition within Indigenous law and traditional governance revitalization.
- other negotiations with all levels of government and industry, and
- governance matters and revitalization of Indigenous decision-making, deliberative law, and internal consultation and engagement related to law-making.
This associate is expected to work with a team but will also be able to work independently and take responsibility for leading on files and projects. Depending on the successful applicant’s experience level, this may include representing our clients in negotiations and community engagement sessions.
Key Responsibilities
Major areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:
- working with the senior lawyers in the firm to develop and implement strategy for clients;
- working with clients to understand and address their needs;
- supporting negotiations, project management, and strategic planning;
- assisting with day-to-day file management;
- participating in negotiations and consultation-related meetings;
- assisting with regulatory and consultation and UNDRIP related matters;
- drafting relationship and project decision-making agreements, impact-benefit agreements and other agreements with industry and Crown government; and
- advising on governance revitalization of traditional decision-making and knowledge systems, which may include drafting laws and taking instruction of knowledge keepers, advising Indigenous leadership on their duties as decision-makers, and a variety of other governance matters that arise for our clients.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will:
- have 5-7 years of experience in drafting laws and agreements, advising on governance matters, negotiations, or aboriginal law generally (or equivalent experience).
- have strong writing and editing skills;
- have strong interpersonal skills;
- be eligible to practice law in Ontario as a member of the Law Society of Ontario
- be confident working with a team and independently;
- be familiar with negotiation and consultation processes involving First Nations, government, and industry;
- be familiar with regulatory processes at the federal, provincial and territorial levels;
Any of the following would be assets:
- experience working for Indigenous communities or individuals;
- experience and knowledge of regulatory hearing processes;
- participation in complex negotiations, including drafting of consultation agreements and impact-benefit agreements;
- familiarity with Crown government negotiation frameworks and related policies;
- experience working opposite federal, provincial, or municipal governments; or
- experience in the areas of environmental law, land use planning or resource management .
Compensation and Benefits
JFK Law offers a competitive salary and extended benefits.
If you would like to advance your career with a progressive team that is passionate about making an impact and advancing the rights of Indigenous people, please submit a cover letter and resume. Short-listed candidates will be contacted; others will be kept in our database for future consideration. Thank you for your interest in JFK Law.
Applicants are encouraged to disclose if they are from an equity-seeking group and/or if they are a citizen of an Indigenous Nation.
Applicants must have a valid driver’s licence and should have the flexibility to travel to remote areas.
