Description
Legal Counsel – Family Litigation
Competition #: 48547
Department: Justice
Location: Halifax
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: NSGLA
Closing Date: 06-May-26 (Applications accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
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.
For more information, visit the Department of Justice Legal Services 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.
- Advise 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).
- Draft affidavits and other documents and represent the client in court, often on short timelines.
- Present information about government and law to the public, or as part of a consultation process for public policy development.
- 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 can 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 employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers a wide range of benefits, including a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, health, dental, life insurance, general illness, short- and long-term disability, vacation, and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For details, see Benefits for government employees.
Additional Information
This is a Term employment opportunity, with an anticipated end date of February 28, 2027, located in Halifax, NS.
- The successful candidate must have access to a vehicle.
- Will be required to work overtime on occasion.
What We Offer
- Career development with access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
- An engaging workplace where employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, with forward-thinking policies and strategies.
- Countless career paths.
Pay Grade: LAW I – LAW III
Salary Range: $3,639.93 – $7,385.75 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.
Accommodation Statement
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.
This is an Association position initially restricted to current Nova Scotia Government Lawyers Association employees. In accordance with the Agreement with the Nova Scotia Government Lawyers Association, the order of consideration is: eligible "Expression of Interest" (EOI) applicants, eligible internal applicants, then external applicants.
Please note: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
