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Job Posting: Staff Lawyer (One Year Contract)

Please note: job posting is now closed.

About Animal Justice:

Animal Justice is Canada’s leading charity devoted to using the law to protect animals. Our lawyers work to pass strong new animal protection legislation at all levels of government, ensure laws already on the books are vigorously enforced, and fight for animals in courtrooms across the country.

Animal Justice’s office is located in downtown Toronto. However, staff are currently working remotely due to public health recommendations.

This is a unique opportunity for a junior lawyer with litigation experience to contribute to Animal Justice’s work leading the legal fight for animals in Canada.

About the Role:

Animal Justice is looking for an enthusiastic junior lawyer that shares our commitment to animals and that wants to gain public interest litigation experience supporting our organization’s important work.

This staff lawyer role will be focused on supporting several key strategic litigation initiatives. You will litigate on behalf of Animal Justice to uphold laws that protect animals and those that advocate on animals’ behalf, setting important legal precedents. The role may also involve legal analysis and participating in Animal Justice’s law reform initiatives at the federal, provincial, and municipal level.

This full-time role will be for a one-year term, with the possibility of an extension.

Salary:

Dependent on relevant experience.

About You:

You are a lawyer who is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario or another Canadian law society.  If you are not called to the bar in Ontario, you are willing and able to take the necessary steps to obtain a membership with the LSO. 

You are a passionate animal advocate with litigation experience, ideally including animal law, human rights law, constitutional law, and/or administrative law.  You are eager to use your excellent legal writing, research, oral advocacy, and communication skills to improve the lives of animals in Canada and protect the rights of animal advocates working to expose and stop the abuse and mistreatment of animals.

You are committed to promoting Animal Justice’s philosophy and mission, have excellent interpersonal skills, and will be a valuable member of Animal Justice’s team, working collaboratively in a non-profit environment. In addition to your legal work, you will engage with and mentor students and volunteers, and assist with Animal Justice’s public communications efforts.

You are self-motivated and resourceful, with strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate professionally and persuasively. You are willing and able to travel as needed, are proficient with computer software including Microsoft Office, Google products, and Dropbox. You are comfortable working remotely.

Our preference is that you are located in Toronto or are willing to relocate to Toronto, although other locations may be possible. Being bilingual in English and French will be considered an asset, but is not a requirement.

How to Apply:

Animal Justice is a small non-profit organization strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the growth or our organization.  Animal Justice offers a friendly and positive work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer. 

If you are a passionate about animal protection and want to apply your legal expertise in a non-traditional legal setting, you are encouraged to submit a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample by October 1, 2020 to [email protected]. Please quote “Contract Lawyer Position” in the subject line. Applicants in their first five years of legal pratice are asked to include law school transcripts with their application.

We appreciate all applicants’ interest in this position, but only those applicants under consideration for an interview will be contacted.

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