Assistant Director Civil Litigation Team

Assistant Director, Civil Litigation Team

Posting Date: Jun 19, 2024

Company/Firm: Government of Alberta

Area of Law: Civil Litigation

Deadline: Jul 22, 2024

Location: Edmonton

Ministry: Justice
Full or Part-Time: Full-time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Three-year term with possibility of becoming permanent
Classification: Legal Officer 4
Salary: $7,826.61 to $8,608.77 bi-weekly ($204,274 - $224,668/year)

The Legal Service Division's Civil Litigation Team operates in Edmonton and Calgary. It handles all types of civil litigation by and against the Government of Alberta except aboriginal law and constitutional matters. One of its clients is the Civil Forfeiture Office (CFO) within the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Services.

Responsibilities of this position include:

• supporting the recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and supervising of lawyers who provide litigation services to the CFO (CFO lawyers)
• overseeing the work of paralegals
• assigning files to CFO lawyers and serving as lead counsel on the most complex assignments
• overseeing file assignments and practice management for CFO lawyers and assisting in finding solutions if capacity and resource issues arise
• accountability for meeting the Civil Forfeiture Practice Group's service delivery commitment to the CFO
• regular communications with the CFO Director and other CFO personnel
• maintaining current knowledge of the relevant law and court procedures
• teaching, mentoring, and coaching Civil Forfeiture Practice Group members
• succession planning to ensure continued and ongoing service delivery to the CFO
• drafting briefing notes and other required reporting, including high priority and urgent requests on legal and non-legal issues and sensitive litigation
• managing outside counsel matters

The Assistant Director - Civil Forfeiture will also be required to:

• support the Director with general team operations including team meetings and morale building activities
• act for the Director as needed
• carry out other responsibilities as assigned by the Director

As this is a new position, it is expected that over time, the successful candidate and the Director will develop and refine the role to meaningfully serve the needs of the CFO, the Civil Litigation Team, and the Division.

A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD). For Law degrees obtained outside Canada, proof of accreditation from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) is required. You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta.

Civil Crown Counsel 4 - a minimum of 11 years of related experience is required.

The successful applicant will have demonstrated formal or informal leadership experience. Senior civil litigation experience is required. Experience in civil forfeiture litigation or criminal law is considered a strong asset. Experience leading a practice group and serving as a client relationship manager is preferred.

In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:

• Legal experience and expertise,
• Relevant strengths and skills,
• Reasons for interest in the position

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Contact Name: Human Resources Department