General Counsel

Description

General Counsel

Assembly of First Nations (AFN)

Position Overview

The AFN is seeking an experienced and strategic General Counsel to serve as the senior legal advisor to the organization and a key member of the executive leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the General Counsel leads the Legal Sector and is responsible for overseeing all legal services and providing expert legal advice to the National Chief, Executive Committee, and AFN Secretariat. The General Counsel plays a critical role in aligning legal work with AFN’s political mandates and priorities. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading legal strategy, managing complex litigation and legal risk, supporting organizational governance, and ensuring AFN’s legal positions reflect and protect the rights, interests, and priorities of First Nations across Canada.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisor & Executive Counsel

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the CEO, National Chief, and Executive Committee.
• Advise on legal issues related to Indigenous rights, constitutional law, administrative law, governance, employment, and contracts.
• Interpret and provide legal advice on Chiefs-in-Assembly Resolutions, policies, and governance frameworks.
• Assess and manage legal risks and support strategic decision-making across the organization.

Legal Sector Leadership

• Lead and mentor a high-performing Legal team by managing staff, supporting development, and overseeing strategic planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Convene and lead Legal Sector meetings and contribute to all-staff and director-level strategic meetings.
• Ensure legal operations align with AFN's political and organizational objectives.
• Provide legal advice and assistance during Annual General Assemblies and Special Chiefs Assemblies.

Litigation Oversight

• Represent the AFN in complex litigation and manage external counsel in litigation matters.
• Lead development of litigation strategies and oversee pleadings, affidavits, factums, and submissions.
• Draft and supervise preparation of court materials and responses to national legal issues.

Internal Collaboration and Organizational Support

• Review and approve legal agreements, contracts, MOUs, and funding agreements.
• Collaborate with AFN Sectors including HR on employment law matters, and advise Finance, Communications, and Policy sectors on legal implications in their work.
• Support internal policy compliance and corporate governance activities.

External Engagement and Advocacy

• Represent AFN in legal, governmental, and advocacy forums, including parliamentary committees, inquiries, and policy panels. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with First Nations leadership and community legal representatives.
• Draft and review speaking notes, briefing notes, memos, and reports for the National Chief, Executive, and Assembly meetings.
• Contribute to public understanding of First Nations legal issues and AFN’s work through strategic communications.

Governance and Legislative Affairs

• Monitor, analyze, and interpret relevant legislation and jurisprudence affecting First Nations and AFN’s mandate.
• Provide leadership on legal policy development, treaty implementation, and nation-to-nation governance frameworks.
• Deliver training and build legal literacy within AFN and among First Nations partners.

Communications and Records Management

• Oversee the preparation and filing of legal records and sector documentation in AFN’s records management system (e.g., Laserfiche).
• Support knowledge transfer across the Legal Sector and provide legal literacy resources to staff.
• Ensure legal updates are communicated in both official languages and on schedule.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

• LL.B. or J.D. from a recognized Canadian law school.
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) or eligible for transfer.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive legal experience.
• Demonstrated litigation experience, especially in Indigenous, constitutional, or administrative law.
• Experience working with or advising First Nations governments, organizations, or communities.
• Proven experience managing legal teams and developing organizational legal strategy.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of Canadian law, including Indigenous, constitutional, administrative, corporate, employment, and human rights law.
• Strong understanding of First Nations legal, political, and governance contexts, including treaties and Indigenous legal traditions.
• Proven ability to provide strategic legal advice in politically sensitive and high-stakes environments.
• Skilled in litigation oversight, legal drafting, and managing complex legal files.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and organizational development abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong public speaking abilities.
• Proficient in legal research, contract negotiation, and intergovernmental relations.
• High cultural competency and emotional intelligence.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, legal research platforms, and records management systems.
• Able to manage multiple priorities under pressure with professionalism and discretion.