Role Responsibilities

Do you have a strong background in legal research and writing and well-developed analytical skills? If so, the Court of Appeal is recruiting to a legal position that may interest you!

Under the general supervision of and reporting to the Chief Justice of Alberta and the Court’s Executive Director/Registrar, this position assists one or two Court of Appeal Justices.

This role involves:

• Assisting the Court in the efficient administration of justice through the provision of legal and administration services.
• Preparing for the hearing of appeals and applications, conducting research and legal analysis, preparing legal memoranda, and editing and proofreading judgments.
• Reviewing appeal materials and consulting with the Justices on legal issues that may require additional research, which also entails assigning and overseeing that research by Court students.
• Staying apprised of changes in legislation and case law.
• Maintaining and updating internal legal resources for use by the judiciary and judicial staff. 
• Drafting and/or editing papers, speeches, or presentation materials, as requested. 
• Participating in Court administration committee work and helping manage the student program. Legal counsel act as mentors to the articling students.
• Adapting to change and working with evolving technologies such as e-filing, paperless court records, and electronic hearings.
  
  

To be successful in this role, you must possess:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including speechwriting skills.
• Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, prioritizing, and multi-tasking skills.
• Well-developed legal research skills.
• Ability to work in a highly demanding environment with limited supervision.
  
  

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in-depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

As the successful candidate, you will demonstrate the following competencies:
 

• Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and work effectively in a changing environment.
  
  
• Develop Networks: Proactively build networks and connect and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.
  
  
• Build Collaborative Environments: Lead and contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
  
  
• Systems Thinking: The work done within the APS is part of a larger integrated and interrelated environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems Thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
  
  
• Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
  
  
• Drive for Results: Determine what outcomes are important and maximize the use of resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and all stakeholders.
  
  
• Develop Self and Others: Commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of self and others.

Qualifications

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree supplemented with a minimum of four (4) years directly related legal experience. 

Related legal experience includes extensive experience with Canadian legal research tools, well-developed research and analytical skills, and exceptional legal writing skills. 

Strong academic standing is essential.

Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta or eligibility for membership is required. 

All applicants must provide a cover letter, law school transcripts, and a general writing sample. In your cover letter, please provide a brief overview (approximately 300-400 words) of how your skills and qualifications make you suitable for this role. Writing samples will be assessed for quality of work as part of the screening process.

Assets
Preference will be given to candidates with:

• A Master of Laws degree (LLM)
• Law journal and other legal writing experience
• Prior court or tribunal experience
• Supervisory work experience 
• Written and oral communication skills in French
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Position Information:

• This posting will be used to fill one (1) permanent, full-time position.
• Hours of Work: 7.25 hours per day (36.25 hours per week), Monday to Friday. 
• Location: Court of Appeal in Calgary (TC Energy Tower, 450 - 1st St. S.W.).
  
  

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in hybrid work arrangement, working from home up to two days per week.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.