Counsel, General Counsel's Office

Counsel, General Counsel’s Office

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s largest and most successful law firms, has an opportunity for an experienced legal professional to join the General Counsel’s Office as Counsel. This position is based in our Toronto office. Blakes will consider flexible arrangements.
 
Reporting to the Senior Counsel, General Counsel’s Office and Director, Information Governance, this role will provide support in managing risk on behalf of the Firm.
 
Primary responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Negotiating terms of a broad range of Firm commercial contracts including:

  • Software and service agreements with IT-based and other suppliers

  • Recruitment contracts

  • Non-disclosure agreements

  • Sponsorship, event and publication contracts

• Reviewing and supporting lawyers in the negotiation of outside counsel guidelines and engagement letters, with guidance from the Senior Counsel on more complex or sensitive issues

• Monitoring and suggesting design changes to the Firm’s software that manages outside counsel guidelines

• Reviewing, analyzing and advising on law society compliance and supporting the Senior Counsel on other compliance matters and regulatory changes

• Maintaining risk management precedents such as template engagement/retainer letters

• Supporting the Client Relations & Marketing team on requests for proposal and client questionnaire matters

• Supporting the IT and Marketing teams by providing all risk/regulatory answers for client questionnaires and attending client due diligence review meetings with third-party risk management vendors

• Supporting other risk management matters, including information security and privacy matters

Qualifications
Education/Experience:

• LLB/JD is required

• Minimum of three years of legal experience preferably in corporate/commercial or IT practice areas

 Skills/Abilities:

• Strong drafting, negotiating and communication skills

• Ability to work independently and effectively with various stakeholders across the Firm

How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please submit your application along with a cover letter and résumé directly to our application portal.
 
Blakes wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
 
Who We Are
At Blakes, we are all about our people. We are committed to not only providing exceptional client experiences, but also fostering an open and inclusive workplace culture for legal professionals and administrative professionals. As a winner of the Canada’s Best Diversity Employers award, as well as the Greater Toronto’s Top Employers award, we know that diversity and inclusion are not simply initiatives on the perimeter of our business — they are the core of our success. We understand the importance of cultivating an environment that brings out the best in each person. Our success as a Firm starts with the hiring, development and retention of top talent.
 
Blakes welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. The Firm is committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment comprised of people with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, identities and cultures.
 
The Firm provides accommodation for applicants with disabilities and in respect of other protected grounds during the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws. Please contact us to request accommodation.