Staff Lawyer - Alberta

at  Ecojustice

AT A GLANCE

• Location: Calgary, or Remote within Alberta
• Hours: 35 weekly
• Salary: $105,000-$122,000 annually, dependent on year of call
• Department Program - Alberta Region
• Reports to: Managing Lawyer – Alberta Region
• Office Requirement: Hybrid or Remote

ABOUT US

As Canada’s largest environmental law charity, our mission is using the law to defend nature, combat the climate crisis, and fight for a healthy environment for all. To achieve this, Ecojustice does three things:

• We go to court - Our lawyers represent citizens, environmental organizations, First Nations, sustainable businesses, labour organizations, and any other groups that share our mission.
• We push for better laws - Our experts testify in front of committees and make recommendations to strengthen environmental legislation.
• We engage the public - Our work highlights environmental issues and changes the conversation, forcing our leaders to sit up and listen.

Our Mission is why people join Ecojustice. People who choose to join us recognize that this planet is our most treasured inheritance, and it is our imperative to be good stewards for the generations who follow us. We believe in protecting the environment while having enough time off to enjoy it. If you are courageous, collaborative, and dedicated to the fight for a healthier environment, you will find your people here.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Staff Lawyer you will be at the cutting edge of environmental law: working with Ecojustice lawyers from across Canada in bringing strategic, game-changing public interest lawsuits and reforming Canada’s laws to deliver lasting solutions to our most urgent environmental problems: the climate emergency, species extinction and the pollution of the air, water and soil on which all life depends.
A Staff Lawyer works as part of the Ecojustice program team to develop and conduct litigation and law reform files, on behalf of a broad range of clients. Staff lawyer duties also include a range of related tasks that contribute to our organizational effectiveness and are essential to ensuring our legal work has the maximum impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Staff Lawyer, your responsibilities include:

• Developing and carrying litigation files, and supporting law reform and other work identified as priorities for Ecojustice
• Contributing as a Program (Climate, Nature, Healthy Communities) team member by:
• researching and developing files
• contributing to development of Program team work-plans
• helping to evaluate projects proposed to the team
• Keeping up-to-date on new developments in relevant areas of law, undertaking reasonable training to maximize expertise
• Assisting program peers in training and maintaining the highest practice standards
• Professional case management and file management
• Sharing administrative tasks, including interviewing new staff, supervising, and mentoring students, and helping with responses to new case inquiries

• Guiding and collaborating with supporting communications staff to develop communication opportunitiesAttending and participating at fundraising or other profile-raising events (external/internal)

ROLE SUCCESS

We are currently working to embed our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation into all aspects of our organization. We value candidates who enjoy building meaningful, collaborative partnerships with equity-seeking groups and operationalizing JEDI-R values in day-to-day practices and operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in law and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta
• 2+ years of litigation experience, ideally in one or more practice areas such as environmental law, administrative law, or Aboriginal law – including experience as first chair or lead in matters before a trial court, appellate court or tribunals.
• Ability to explain legal and scientific information and concepts to the general public
• Experience and training in administrative, environmental, or Aboriginal law is an asset
• Motivation to independently research, develop and run their own cases
• Commitment to working in a team environment, across disciplines, with individuals across Canada