Executive Legal Counsel

JOB TILE:  Executive Legal Counsel

CLASSIFICATION LEVEL:  Leadership 5

MINISTRY/DEPARTMENT:  Office of the Chief Relations Officer

REPORTS TO:  Chief Relations Officer

DATE CLASSIFIED:  August 2024

Position Summary

The Executive Legal Counsel is the lead legal expert at Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) and plays a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive legal advisory services with a focus on the protection, promotion and recognition of Métis inherent rights, self-determination and self-governance. This position entails leading the development and implementation of legal advisory services and other strategic projects, policies and initiatives that align with MNBC’s goals and objectives. The Executive Legal Counsel is responsible for ensuring that all advisory services, projects and initiatives are legally sound and strategically focused, with a particular emphasis on advancing the recognition and protection of Métis rights, which are affirmed under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. By delivering expert advice on complex legal issues and ensuring strict adherence to legal standards, while also embracing innovative and flexible strategies that align with Métis law, this role is vital in advancing MNBC’s strategic direction.

In addition to managing a growing team and providing essential legal counsel, the Executive Legal Counsel plays an active role in policy development and tactical negotiations, championing Métis rights and representing MNBC’s interests in wider legal and policy forums. This role includes working closely with various stakeholders, such as government agencies and Métis Chartered Communities, to build robust relationships and further MNBC’s objectives. The Executive Legal Counsel also oversees the development of detailed legal research and analysis to facilitate informed decision-making, ensuring that MNBC’s initiatives are both strategic and legally compliant.

Location

• Provincial Head Office – Surrey, BC.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Legal Services

• The Executive Legal Counsel is integral to managing the daily operations of MNBC's legal advisory services, with a specialized focus on matters concerning Métis Section 35 rights. This role involves overseeing the in-house legal team's activities to ensure that all legal services are provided effectively and align with the organization’s needs. The Executive Legal Counsel is responsible for identifying potential legal issues that could impact MNBC, offering objective and strategic legal advice, and devising solutions to address these challenges. Their expertise ensures that the organization navigates complex legal environments and remains compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
• In addition to these responsibilities, the Executive Legal Counsel plays a key role in drafting and reviewing legal documents, including contracts and agreements. This involves ensuring that all legal paperwork supports MNBC's goals and protects its interests. By providing practical solutions to significant legal issues, the Executive Legal Counsel helps advance MNBC's strategic objectives and enhances its operational effectiveness. Their leadership is crucial in safeguarding the organization’s legal standing and advancing its rights and interests, particularly in relation to Métis Section 35 rights.
• Leads the development of legal advice related to various matters, as assigned by the Chief Relations Officer. Instructions for legal advice and related services are provided by the Chief Relations Officer.
• Supports the Chief Relations Officer, the CEO and other members of the Senior Leadership Team to advance strategic initiatives and emerging issues by advising on legal strategies and potential solutions to ensure MNBC interests are protected, and risk is appropriately managed, minimized or avoided.
• Develops processes and procedures necessary to ensure compliance with good governance practices and best practices throughout the organization.

1. External Counsel Management

• Acts as a liaison between MNBC and External Legal Counsel, ensuring effective communication and management of external legal services.
• Ensures that legal services provided by External Legal Counsel appropriately support MNBC’s operations, with the need, cost, and quality of such services properly monitored.
• Oversees External Counsel’s representation on any matter for which External Counsel has been engaged.
• Defines objectives, assist in developing legal strategy and work plans, approve changes, and ensures retainer letters are in place with External Counsel and MNBC.
• Reviews and recommends for approval External Counsel accounts for payment.
• Ensures External Counsel is accountable for cost-effective management of assigned legal matters and provides timely updates to the Chief Relations Officer and significant documents related to legal matters.

1. Records and Administration

• Ensures that appropriate filing methods are used, and that the department complies with established standards and records management requirements. This includes regularly reviewing and updating filing procedures to reflect current best practices and legal regulations. Additionally, it involves providing training and support to staff to ensure consistent application of these methods, as well as conducting periodic audits to identify and address any gaps or issues in compliance.
• Drafts briefing notes, various decision instruments, memos, resolutions, directives, decisions, legislation, or other documents, as directed by the Chief Relations Officer.
• Ensures that all requests for engagement of legal services are accompanied by all supporting relevant documentation.
• Provides regular updates and reports to the Chief Relations Officer on the status of key deliverables, identifying potential issues facing the organization and proactively providing informed and sound solutions.

1. Relationship Building

• Builds alliances and partnerships with strategic external partners and stakeholders, including government representatives, organizations, and funders, to advance MNBC’s interests and capacity.
• Ensures a cooperative and collaborative working relationship with counterparts in other MNC Governing Members, extending legal and governance expertise and support as required.
• Maintains good interpersonal relationships using negotiating skills to reconcile differences and bring people together to a shared purpose.
• Attends high-level meetings with or on behalf of the Chief Relations Officer, providing expert insight and feedback on the issues discussed, their impacts on the organization and proactive recommendations to address them.

1. Leadership

• The Executive Legal Counsel must exhibit exceptional leadership skills to effectively manage MNBC’s legal advisory services. Key among these skills is strategic vision, which involves understanding the broader organizational goals and aligning legal strategies to support these objectives. This includes anticipating future legal challenges and opportunities and integrating legal considerations into the organization’s long-term planning. A strategic leader ensures that the legal team operates in a manner that contributes to the overall mission and success of MNBC, particularly in advancing Métis Section 35 rights.
• Another crucial leadership skill is analytical acumen. The Executive Legal Counsel must possess a sharp ability to dissect complex legal issues, evaluate potential risks, and develop comprehensive solutions. This involves identifying legal challenges and crafting strategic approaches to address them effectively. The ability to anticipate and mitigate legal risks through informed decision-making is essential for safeguarding MNBC’s interests.
• The Executive Legal Counsel excels in team leadership and collaboration. Leading a legal team requires the ability to inspire, mentor, and manage professionals to achieve collective goals. This involves fostering a collaborative environment, encouraging professional development, and maintaining high standards of legal practice.

1. Conflict Resolution

• Provides leadership and expertise in managing complex processes such as negotiation, mediation, third-party intervention, and litigation, focusing on advancing MNBC’s strategic priorities.
• Collaborates with the Ministry of Justice and others to advance negotiation efforts, developing and executing strategies to achieve favorable outcomes and aligns agreements with long-term strategic goals.
• Acts as a neutral facilitator in mediation, addressing core issues, fostering dialogue, and guiding parties toward mutually beneficial resolutions.
• Coordinates third-party interventions and leads or supports litigation to represent MNBC’s interests in litigation.

1. Other

• Participates in committees and project teams as required.
• Undertakes related duties as assigned, consistent with the job grade of the position.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed to ensure the efficient operation of MNBC.
• Regular/occasional attendance at meetings/events that may require work and travel outside of normal business hours.

Supervision Given

• Chief Relations Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum requirements:

• Law degree (e.g., Juris Doctor) from an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada.
• Must be a member of the Law Society of British Columbia in good standing.
• Legal experience corresponding to 10 or more years of call.

Preference may be given to applicants with:

• Demonstrated capacity to provide quality and well reasoned legal advice in a timely manner while managing competing deadlines and demands.
• Experience working with Indigenous governments, communities, or organizations, or other levels of government, including at the federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal level.
• Expertise in Aboriginal and constitutional law well as other legal areas relevant to the position.
• Understanding of treaties, self-government agreements, reconciliation arrangements, relevant policies, legislation, and critical matters pertaining to Métis section 35 rights in British Columbia and across Canada.
• Demonstrated negotiating skills and the ability to resolve grievances and conflicts while positively managing interpersonal relationships.
• Knowledge and understanding of Canadian federal and provincial political systems. Experience working with government agencies, elected representatives, and committees at a national and provincial level, with knowledge of the overall functioning of various levels of government and policy and legislative development processes.
• Excellent communication skills with the able to professionally articulate legal positions and influence others through reasoned and well-thought-out ideas. Superior listening skills and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and time-management skills. Ability to work well under pressure and in a fast-changing environment.

Additional requirements:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a Class 5 driver’s license may be required.
• The position may require the completion of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.

MNBC Values

• Manâcihitowin (Respect) - We respect ourselves, others and all Creation.
• Kwayes’kwât’sowin (Integrity) - We hold integrity as a core value. We are honest with ourselves, our colleagues, our communities, and our partners.  We are reliable and follow through on our word.
• Ahtisihcikêwin (Innovation) - We draw on the spirit of Métis innovation and bring forward our curiosity and creativity to problem solve and develop new solutions for our people.
• Tâpahtiyim’sowin (Humility) - We show and practice cultural humility and cultural agility. We are open to new ideas and recognize the wisdom that surrounds us from others who carry different experiences than ours.
• Kisîwât’sowin (Kindness) - We show and practice lateral kindness in our organization and to everyone with whom we interact on behalf of the Nation. We practice kaa-wiichihitoyaahk (we take care of each other.)
• Sipihkisôwin (Resilience) - We are resilient and do not fear challenges or setbacks but remain courageous and learn from each step of the journey. We channel the courage of our Métis ancestors who faced adversity and remained resilient.
• Atoskâtowin (Teamwork) - We work together and actively seek opportunities to share information, collaborate on initiatives, and practice reciprocity for stronger outcomes. We embrace teamwork to achieve greater potential for success.

Applicants please visit: Executive Legal Counsel - #24-168 | MNBC