Legal Counsel

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Position Purpose

Reporting to, and under the direction of, the General Counsel, and working in close consultation with University senior administrators, the Legal Counsel, represents the University in legal proceedings and provides legal services to the University in the conduct of its activities.

Primary accountabilities

The primary areas of practice include the following: corporate and commercial law and business transactions, with a focus on the University in its research activities, including but not limited to, institutional and industry research collaborations, intellectual property, commercialization of research, research funding and in other corporate / commercial matters that are not related to the University’s research activities.

General accountabilities

• Negotiate, drafts, reviews, provides legal advice on contracts and other legal documents associated with corporate commercial matters and business transactions.
• Advises on complex research collaboration agreements, research procurement matters, intellectual property issues, commercialization of research, creation and management of entities, such as property trusts, corporate subsidiaries.
• Drafts, reviews and provides legal advice on University policies and procedures.
• Conducts legal research and provides legal advice and opinion.
• Remains current on legislation and legislative changes affecting the University and on developments at common law and provides legal advice on appropriate operational, compliance and/or policy responses.
• Manages outside counsel retained by the University or by the University’s insurer, as required.
• Establishes and prioritizes goals and objectives in connection with the primary areas of practice of this position and general responsibilities.
• Assists with the development of training on legal aspects for University staff.
• Handles other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• LL.B or J.D. and member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario
• Minimum 10 years of practicing law, including at least 8 years’ prior experience in the primary areas of practice identified above
• Knowledge and experience across a variety of areas of the law affecting the University, for example, intellectual property law, contract law, and administrative law.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in both English and French
• Ability to handle complex legal issues with no significant professional guidance or supervision
• Superior analyst, negotiator and presenter of legal points
• Excellent judgment, clear and critical thinking, superior writing and reasoning skills, persuasiveness, the ability to command respect, and unquestioned integrity and discretion.
• Strong planning skills and a positive, approachable can-do attitude with problem-solving skills
• Ability to quickly learn a variety of areas of the law and provide reliable legal advice and opinion
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Skilled at interpersonal relations, particularly the ability to forge consensus out of divergent views of many different University constituents without losing their trust and confidence and the temperament .to work with a wide variety of personalities
• Ability to manage time effectively, which in turn supports the ability to handle many matters simultaneously
• Confidence without arrogance and the ability to react calmly in a crisis
• Professional and thoughtful demeanor, including objectivity and detachment when needed

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.