Tribunal Counsel, Law Society Tribunal
Permanent
OVERVIEW
JOB PURPOSE
Tribunal Counsel duties include advising adjudicators, staff and the public on Tribunal process in general and issues that arise in files and hearings, preparing draft orders, editing and commenting on draft reasons and preparing headnotes. Tribunal Counsel work on a variety of special projects related to practice, rules and policy, may assist in preparing materials for the Tribunal Committee and Convocation and may represent the Tribunal in the courts on judicial reviews and other proceedings. Tribunal Counsel must have an in-depth knowledge of administrative law and the procedural and substantive jurisprudence of the Law Society Tribunal. Counsel prepare and deliver written and oral adjudicator education. Tribunal Counsel focus on service to the public, professions and parties, applying and promoting the Tribunal’s core values of fairness, quality, transparency and timeliness.
There are two Tribunal Counsel who work collaboratively together as a team to provide legal advice and support to the Tribunal Chair, the Registrar and other staff and adjudicators of the Law Society Tribunal. While some of the work of Tribunal Counsel may be allocated between them, each Tribunal Counsel assists and provides backup to the other Counsel.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
An LL. B or JD plus a Class L1 licence with the Law Society of Ontario.*
A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a lawyer practising before or working within administrative tribunals.
In-depth knowledge and understanding of administrative law
Knowledge of best practices and innovative approaches in administrative tribunals.
In depth understanding of the Law Society Tribunal practices and policies, or willingness to learn.
In-depth familiarity with of the Law Society Act, Adjudicator Code of Conduct, Rules of Practice and Procedure, Practice Directions and Law Society Tribunal jurisprudence, or willingness tolearn.
Expressive and persuasive in speaking and writing.
Current and highly proficient editorial, legal research and writing skills.
Sound and strategic judgment in analyzing and applying complex information.
Ability to provide prompt, strategic advice on issues of procedure and substance.
Sound judgment in developing and applying complex information.
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within the Tribunal Counsel team.
Ability to read, write and/or edit French text is an asset.
Broad understanding of technology.
*By submitting your application for employment, you agree to a clearance check of your regulatory history with the Law Society, and to the use of this information in assessing suitability for employment at the Law Society.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Client / Customer Service Planning:
Participate as a team member in developing administrative and adjudicative policies and practices, guides and Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Advise the Chair and Registrar on possible administrative and adjudicative approaches and participates in drafting policy proposals and rules.
Draft rules, practice directions, templates and other materials for adjudicators and assist in developing policy proposals for review by the Tribunal Committee and Convocation.
Client/Customer Service Delivery:
Provide strategic advice to adjudicators and staff on process and substantive law relating to all aspects of Tribunal proceedings, often with a short turnaround time.
Communicate with parties, witnesses, the public media and other stakeholders in response to inquiries.
Review draft endorsements, reasons and orders and makes editorial and substantive suggestions consistent with adjudicative independence.
Prepare orders for publication.
Represent the Tribunal in judicial reviews and appeals.
Prepare adjudicator and staff education materials and assist in delivering adjudicator education.
Research
Research issues of law and policy that arise in Tribunal proceedings, policy and process development and reason review.
Maintain in-depth familiarity with the Tribunal’s jurisprudence, administrative practices and policies and adjudicative strategies to provide accurate and helpful on-the-spot advice.
Special Projects and Initiatives:
Participate as a team member in initiatives to enhance the quality of adjudication and service delivery at the Law Society Tribunal.
Such projects include rule amendments, process enhancements, policies, reason templates and adjudicator education in writing, in person and by video.
Prepare content for the Tribunal website.
Performance Goals, Targets and Standards:
Assist in the development of statistics and monitoring of the Tribunal’s work.
Advise administrative staff to ensure that proceeding-related information is recorded accurately to generate useful statistics.
Team Membership:
Work as a part of a diverse team delivering adjudication that includes adjudicators from a variety of backgrounds, staff and the Chair.
Advise the Registrar and administrative staff on strategic solutions for case processing issues.
Tailor advice and feedback to the audience, recognizing both adjudicative independence and consistency.
Work collaboratively together as Tribunal Counsel to ensure seamless and effective legal advice and support.
Policy Development
As part of a team, develop and implement policy proposals for the Tribunal including proposed amendments to the Rules of Practice and Procedure, Practice Directions and guides.
Assist with the development of project objectives, monitor schedules and project milestones, and provide regular reports and feedback.
Relationship and Alliance Building
Build solid relationships with adjudicators and staff, using persuasive skills to encourage consistency while respecting adjudicative independence.
Promote confidence in the Tribunal through understanding of and openness to the perspectives of diverse stakeholders.
ACCOMMODATION
The Law Society of Ontario values and respects diversity. We are committed to creating an accessible, barrier-free and inclusive workplace, in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please make any requirement you may have for a Code-protected recruitment-process accommodation known when contacted. If you are unable to apply to this position due to the requirement for an accommodation of any kind, please email us at recruitment@lso.ca