Litigation Lawyer- Advancing the Practice of Aboriginal Law
woodwardandcompany.com
Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP is a national law firm providing legal services to Indigenous communities, governments and businesses, and advancing trans-formative change in an era of reconciliation and decolonization.
As we continue our meaningful work and engage in complex Aboriginal, environmental and natural resources litigation, Woodward is seeking an experienced mid-to-senior level lawyer to join our talented and dedicated team in our Toronto office location.
This is an ideal opportunity to leverage your extensive litigation experience to a focused area of specialization and an opportunity to evolve in a dynamic and collaborative work environment.
Candidates must have a strong background in Aboriginal, constitutional, environmental, and/or administrative litigation and a passion for advancing the practice of Aboriginal law in multiple jurisdictions across Canada.
Role Overview
This is a full-time position located in Toronto, Ontario, offering opportunities for flexible hybrid remote work and travel to and from Indigenous communities across Canada.
The role requires a deep commitment to advancing Indigenous consultation, self- determination, and providing legal services that align with W & Co.’s core values of excellence, respect, accountability, trust, ethics, and collaboration.
Key Areas of Responsibility
1. Represent Indigenous clients in Aboriginal, constitutional, environmental, and administrative law litigation, including Aboriginal Title cases.
2. Collaborate with community stakeholders to develop innovative and culturally responsive legal strategies.
3. Conduct legal research, draft litigation materials, and present cases in court.
4. Engage in meaningful relationship-building with clients and Indigenous communities.
5. Perform administrative functions related to the practice of law.
6. Woodward is a national firm, and we provide legal services for clients across multiple jurisdictions, calls in other jurisdictions may be required based on W & Co.’s client needs.
Qualifications
1. Lived and learned experience as a 5–9-year call, in Ontario, and in good standing with one or more Canadian law societies and willing to be called to the bar in BC, and in the North. Familiarity with Quebec law would be considered an asset.
2. The ideal candidate is fluent in English, and French. Experience with communicating complex and novel legal concepts in court and to clients is required.
3. Litigation experience in Aboriginal law, constitutional law, environmental law, and/or administrative law.
4. Strong research, legal drafting, and analytical skills.
5. Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
6. Flexibility to travel and work in Indigenous communities is a necessary condition of employment with a valid driver’s license to access remote communities.
Why Woodward?
Meaningful Work: Engage in trans-formative legal advocacy to advance self-determination.
Collaborative Culture: Work with a passionate team dedicated to excellence and econciliation.
Comprehensive Benefits:
o Salary ranges are on a sliding scale depending on year-of-call and annual billing target hours:
$122,000 – $180,000 is the salary range for a 5-year call based on the minimum to maximum billing target hours.
$145,000 - $215,000 is the salary range for a 9-year call based on the minimum to maximum billing target hours.
o Health, dental, and RSP contributions.
o Relocation, wellness, and professional development allowances.
o Flexibility and hybrid work model.
How to Apply
Please send your cover letter and resume to: employment@woodwardandcompany.com
Woodward is committed to equity, inclusion and belonging, and human rights. We know that our diversity strengthens our values and shared responsibility in creating a respectful, and collaborative workplace.
First Nations, Inuit, or Métis ancestry is directly relevant to the skills and knowledge preferred and Indigenous applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.