Legislative Counsel

at  Government of Alberta

One of Alberta Justice’s core businesses is to provide Legal and strategic services to government and is done by the Legal Services Division. It includes providing legal advice, managing risks, conducting civil litigation, drafting legislation, regulations and orders-in-council, and retaining outside counsel. Legal Services is proud to be a learning organization and offers employees opportunities to learn and grow in their careers.
The Legislative Counsel Office is responsible for drafting government bills, regulations and Orders in Council. The office also works with the King’s Printer to make the laws of Alberta available to the public.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD) is required. You must be an active member or must have immediate eligibility for full membership with the Law Society of Alberta. A minimum of 2 years of legislative drafting experience is required.
Intellectual inquiry, problem-solving and innovative thinking, combined with precision and thoroughness, are required in this position. Strong client focus, effective verbal and written communication skills, and effective interpersonal skills are essential to your success in this role, as you must understand your client’s policy goals and be able to express them in a legislative framework that the clients can understand and explain to others. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively will ensure you are successful in meeting the demands of this position.

As an ideal candidate you possess:

• A minimum of 3 years employment in a government department as the instructing officer working directly with a Government Legislative Counsel Office on Government Bills and Regulations. An instructing officer is someone who manages legislative projects, provides drafting instructions to legislative counsel, consolidates and critically analyses feedback in response to drafts, and confirms that drafts reflect the intended policy;
• Exceptional legal, problem solving and communication skills; and
• Exceptional analytical, research, and writing skills.

The following will be considered assets:

• Experience working on developing legislation, such as experience as a legislative planner with a provincial or federal Government;
• Experience as a solicitor with a Government Department providing advice on the interpretation and application of legislation; and
• Courses, a diploma or a professional certificate in Legislative Drafting.

The Alberta Legislative Counsel Office is looking for self-motivated, energetic individuals with demonstrated legislative drafting skills who will use their excellent English language writing ability to draft high quality Government Bills for introduction in the Legislative Assembly and to draft Regulations and Orders in Council for Government. You will provide advice to the Government and Crown agencies on the development of legislation and regulatory policies.
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Legislative Counsel, you will assist the Alberta Government and its Ministries in achieving their legislative objectives by drafting complex bills and regulations in accordance with Legislative Counsel Office standards and performing related legal services.

This position will ensure client Ministries’ policy objectives are met by:

• Providing legal and legislative advice and opinions on legislative proposals made by ministries;
• Advising ministry officials on their legislative proposals and assisting them in achieving their policy goals through legislation where appropriate;
• Providing impartial, high-quality legislative drafting services to the government;
• Drafting bills and regulations in a timely and effective manner in accordance with drafting standards; and
• Responding to client ministries’ concerns and questions regarding the making, drafting, and filing of regulations.