Legal Counsel, IT Law

This role with the City of Mississauga calls for a confident lawyer with experience in information technology, intellectual property, privacy, public procurement, commercial and municipal law.

The City of Mississauga’s Legal Services Division is a full-service law department that handles a wide variety of interesting and rewarding files that directly impact the way people live, work and play in Mississauga. Legal Counsel are supported in their work by experienced and skilled law clerks, legal assistants and articling students and have access to the technology and software they need to do their work efficiently and easily.

Reporting to the Deputy City Solicitor, Municipal Law, the successful candidate will:

• Provide strategic and legal advice to City Council, Senior Leadership and City staff on a variety of information technology, intellectual property, public procurement, privacy, commercial and municipal law matters

• Advise on commercial transactions and procurement processes involving information technology and other commercial law matters

• Draft and negotiate a wide range of information technology agreements, procurement documents and commercial agreements

• Conduct legal research and draft reports, legal opinions, legal agreements, by-laws and resolutions, in a timely manner

• Anticipate and address legal issues to protect the interests of the City and reduce exposure to legal risks

• Advise staff regarding legislation, regulatory requirements and developments in case law

• Provide practical and legally defensible solutions to problems and support staff in achieving the City’s strategic goals and priorities

• Retain and instruct external lawyers and consultants, as required, and review their accounts for compliance with billing guidelines

• Provide functional direction to law clerks, legal assistants, and articling students; and

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario, with a university degree in law (LLB or JD) and an L1 Licence to practice law in Ontario

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience practicing in information technology, intellectual property, privacy and commercial law, with public procurement and municipal law experience being an asset

• Knowledge and experience drafting, negotiating, structuring and advising on various types of commercial contracts and transactions relating to information technology

• Ability to clearly and persuasively communicate complex information to a variety of audiences, including members of Council, external stakeholders, and City staff at all levels

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to draft legally defensible agreements, clear and concise reports, and persuasive legal opinions

• Sound judgment and effective negotiating skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others

• Strong legal research skills and facility using digital and online reference materials and tools

• Strong organization and time-management skills and the proven ability to meet deadlines and prioritize work; and

• Willingness and ability to practice law using paperless files, with the assistance of legal document management and case management software.