LG CNSL 1 - Legal Counsel

The Team
The Litigation Group is an established team of around 180 professionals who conduct litigation and provide legal advice to all ministries of the government, Cabinet, and certain public agencies. We appear on behalf of the province at all levels of court and before certain administrative tribunals and are responsible for all aspects of the preparation and conduct of mediations, trials, and other hearings. Our diverse team operates out of Vancouver and Victoria, working closely together to navigate the fast-paced world of legal challenges. We value strong teamwork, open communication, and the chance to learn from a wide range of experiences, creating a supportive environment where you can thrive and grow in your career. Together, we tackle complex issues and drive meaningful impact through our collaborative efforts.

The Role
As Legal Counsel, you will provide expert legal advice to ministry clients, assisting with policy, program, and legislation development. You'll work on complex and unique files with a supportive and collaborative team. A significant portion of your work will involve handling confidential and sensitive matters, keeping you at the forefront of legal developments. This position is perfect for someone who is passionate about making a difference through their legal expertise.

You will be working for the Civil Forfeiture Legal Team dealing with fast-paced, plaintiff-side litigation, providing advice relating to the Civil Forfeiture Act. Members of the Civil Forfeiture Legal Team work closely with the Directors of Civil Forfeiture to manage litigation involving the forfeiture of property that has been used in or acquired through unlawful activity. This is an exciting and developing area of law in British Columbia and across the country.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements

• Must be a member of the Law Society of British Columbia in good standing OR immediately eligible for call to the Law Society of British Columbia with legal experience corresponding to up to 5 years of call. Note: Lawyers with an excess of five (5) years of call to the bar will not be considered.

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• litigation experience working for or against government or government-related entities or persons;
• experience with the rules of evidence and the Supreme Court Civil Rules;
• experience providing advice or representation on constitutional issues, including arguments challenging or defending the validity of legislation, and seeking exclusion of evidence for alleged Charter breaches;
• experience in the conduct of civil litigation at the Supreme Court of British Columbia and/or the British Columbia Court of Appeal;
• trial experience; and
• experience working as a member of a litigation team, including but not limited to paralegals, legal assistants, and junior counsel.

IMPORTANT: Where there is a difference between the qualifications reflected in the posting and the Job Profile, those stated on the job posting will be used for screening purposes.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Erin.Giesbrecht@gov.bc.ca.

About this Position:
There is one (1) temporary opportunity until December 31, 2025 available, which may become permanent.
An eligibility list may be established to fill future temporary and permanent vacancies.
Flexible work options are available; this position may be able to work from home a few days a week subject to an approved telework agreement.
This position is subject to membership in the Professional Employees Association. Details about the terms and conditions of employment is available at Collective agreements - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca). When a collective agreement is negotiated between the PEA and the Province of British Columbia to include government legal counsel, terms and conditions in that collective agreement will be binding.
A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.

Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.

The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.

Working for BC Public Service offers a competitive salary, diverse work environment, a healthy work/life balance, and excellent benefits. In addition to the base salary for Professional Employee Association members, there is an allowance to cover professional fees, strong dental and medical plans and much more. Salary listed does not include the additional 7% Overtime Shift Standby (OSS) provision that can be taken as taken as time off or salary on an annual basis which is on top of four (4) weeks annual leave.

How to Apply:
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the job requirements listed above. Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting.

Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.

Resume: YES - Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.

Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.

Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR. Gain insights into the hiring journey by joining a Career Conversation. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.