Law Clerk

Job Status:  Permanent full-time

Union: Non-Union

Number of Positions: 1

Hours of Work: 35

Location: Civic Centre

Reason for Vacancy: Replacement

Closing Date: June 8, 2026, 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for a permanent full-time Law Clerk in the Legal Services division.

Internal employees are defined as permanent, temporary, full-time, part-time, seasonal, casual, and contract employees with the Corporation of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Please note that family and friends of employees are not eligible unless they are already employed by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Job description

The Law Clerk is responsible for assisting the Director, Legal Services, and Solicitors by providing administrative support, real estate-related drafting and clerking, general legal drafting, research, hearing preparation, and organization for various Municipal departments and legal matters.

Essential responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies


• Provide legal support to Director and Solicitors with respect to research and preparation of legal opinions


• Perform research of applicable laws, bylaws, precedents, rulings and analysis


• Prepare draft agreements and other legal documents, using relevant precedents, and attend to the execution of documents, as required


• Apply the Rules of Civil Procedure and Small Claims Court Rules, to ensure protection of Municipal rights and compliance with legal obligations


• Draft unique contractual documents for which there is no precedent


• Prepare documentation related to acquisition and disposition of land, and prepare other real estate related documents


• Register documents on title to land and perform land title searches


• Prepare draft Reports to Council and By-laws


• Proofread and edit legal documents


• Prepare, receive and review legal correspondence


• Handle all matters in a discreet and confidential manner


• Assist in responding to inquiries and concerns from departments, external legal counsel, business owners, citizens, other municipalities and Provincial ministries and agencies, including responding to and negotiating with persons adverse in interest to the Municipality


• Provide direction to other departments and staff regarding municipal processes applicable to legal matters


• Manage legal documents and legal files


• Manage calendars or other bring forward systems to ensure staff are prepared for meetings and timelines are met


• Process invoices and input departmental information into Municipal systems

Essential qualifications

• College diploma or certificate, preferably in a Legal Secretary/Law Clerk administration or clerical studies program with a minimum of two (2) years of related administrative or legal experience; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience


• Possess a comprehensive knowledge of legal/office administration concepts, practices, methods, procedures and techniques


• Possess a general understanding of all legal matters faced by the municipality, particularly in the Municipal Law field


• Real estate experience preferred


• Corporate/Commercial law experience preferred


• Municipal Administration experience preferred


• Working knowledge of the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Rules of the Small Claims Court


• Working knowledge of GIS, Magenta and Teraview, E-laws, FMW Web, JD Edwards and INFO:HR


• Strong document drafting and language skills


• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email and internet (or other similar software programs)

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works indoors


• This position works weekday hours

Working Remotely

This position has been approved for remote working, at the discretion of the supervisor based on the Working Remotely Policy.

This position may be required to attend on-site meetings in order to complete essential responsibilities of the role.  As per the Working Remotely Policy, employees scheduled to work remotely on a certain day may occasionally be called to a municipal onsite work location on short notice.  Employees must remain flexible to accommodate municipal requirements and be prepared to be called in on short notice.

Driver’s licence/vehicle requirements

Because this position would be required to travel, a valid Province of Ontario driver's license with a reliable motor vehicle is preferred.

Background check requirements

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check. Because of the environment this position will be working in, the successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (Criminal Record Check) prior to commencement of employment.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

Walking: frequent walking on level surface

Sitting: constant sitting in a chair

Reaching: frequent reaching above shoulder, below shoulder, forward, backward, handling (up to 4.55 kgs or 10 lbs) (Filing and pulling material from vault)

Standing: frequent standing inside

Hands: frequent gripping, pinching; constant fine finger dexterity (movement), mousing (Keyboarding/Typing-Visual attention, manual dexterity required for research, analyzing, computer work)

Foot action: frequent one and two foot action

Benefits

This permanent full-time position has an annual salary of $74,637 to $84,373 and will receive benefits including: participation in the OMERS pension plan (mandatory) as well as sick and vacation entitlements. Following successful completion of a 3-month waiting period, candidates will also be entitled to a comprehensive group benefits package.

When internal employees are applying to temporary vacancy and want to maintain their permanent status: positions posted as “temporary” may be filled with permanent employees (full-time, part-time and call-in) who want to keep their permanent status provided their ability to be released to a temporary position is reviewed and approved with their current manager/supervisor before submitting an application.

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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.