Staff Lawyer Positions – Complex Criminal & Strategic Litigation – Halifax

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NOVA SCOTIA LEGAL AID COMMISSION

STAFF LAWYER (4 Vacancies)

COMPLEX CRIMINAL & STRATEGIC LITIGATION OFFICE

 

Type of Employment: 1-Year Term Contract with Potential for Permanency
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Salary: Staff Lawyer Pay Plan Policy – Based on Relevant Experience
Closing Date:  July 9, 2025 at 4:30 pm

Who We Are:
The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on providing support for the most vulnerable and historically disadvantaged. NSLAC provides a full range of legal aid services in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law, with specialized service offices for youth, social justice, mental health legal services, and criminal and family appeals.

NSLAC employs staff in 25 offices and 3 sub-offices across the Province. Our staff is a group of dedicated, caring, and experienced professionals comprised of Staff Lawyers, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Court Support Workers, Social Workers, Social Justice Support Workers, and a Prison Law Support Worker. Our staff help thousands of clients every year. We are committed to helping overcome historical and ongoing barriers to access to justice and our Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens and communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented and equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous Peoples, African Nova Scotians and other racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and women in underrepresented roles. If you are a member of one or more of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your electronic application, cover letter, or resume.

About the Complex Criminal and Strategic Litigation (CCSL) Office:
The Complex Criminal and Strategic Litigation Office handles complex criminal matters and undertakes systemic advocacy initiatives aimed at addressing inequities in the criminal justice system, creating positive legal precedent, and improving access to justice for qualified applicants, paying particular attention to vulnerable populations who are overrepresented in the criminal justice system.

Primary Functions:
We are seeking a Staff Lawyer to join our newly established CCSL Office. This role demands a seasoned advocate with a proven track record of excellence in criminal law, particularly in handling intricate and high-stakes cases. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional trial and appellate advocacy skills. We are looking for a strategic thinker who can navigate novel legal challenges, contribute to groundbreaking litigation aimed at addressing systemic issues in the criminal justice system, and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to achieving justice for our clients.

The Staff Lawyer will give legal opinions, file legal documents, attend court proceedings, and offer useful advice to clients. The successful candidate will be expected to deliver legal education in the areas of criminal law and related procedures. This position requires a demonstrable history of achieving positive outcomes in challenging legal environments. If you are a driven, highly skilled litigator seeking to advance your career in a dynamic and impactful setting, we encourage you to apply.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
  • Practicing member in good standing with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.
  • Experience in complex criminal and strategic litigation.
  • Demonstrated understanding or experience in systemic advocacy or impact litigation.
  • Demonstrated understanding of Anti-Indigenous and Anti-Black Racism.
  • Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Experienced in developing and maintaining positive working relationships.

Ideal Abilities and Skills:

  • Five (5) years of experience practicing criminal law.
  • Demonstrated excellence in criminal litigation.
  • Ability to work with clients who have complex needs, creatively solve problems, and work independently in a fast-paced environment as well as part of a team.
  • Provide legal advice, representation, and advocacy to clients facing complex criminal charges, including but not limited to murder, manslaughter, sexual assaults, complex frauds, and serious drug offences.
  • Conduct legal research, prepare legal documents, and represent clients in court.
  • Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
  • Ability to investigate facts, identify issues, ascertain organizational objectives, consider alternative solutions, analyze risk, and advise clients.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively.
  • Experience in public speaking and delivering presentations.
  • Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including legal research applications and Microsoft Office.
  • Experience advocating for Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian clients and/or communities.

If you are talented, hardworking and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we’d like to hear from you. Please indicate position title and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the posting in the email subject line. Please send a resume, cover letter, and a legal writing sample (e.g., legal brief or memorandum you have authored and submitted to court) to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca.

While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications will be held in strict confidence.