Senior Counsel, Public Interest cases & Issues Management Position Summary The Senior Counsel, Public Interest Cases & Issues Management is responsible for leading NCCM’s highest-impact legal matters and providing senior legal and strategic advice on emerging issues affecting Canadian Muslims. The role sits at the intersection of strategic litigation, legal advocacy, public policy and issues management. Unlike NCCM’s routine legal operations, the Senior Counsel focuses on cases and issues with the potential to establish precedent, create systemic change, influence government or protect the broader community.

Reports to: Vice President, Government Affairs, Public Policy & Legal Location: GTA Employment Type: Full-time, Senior Leadership Key Responsibilities Strategic Litigation & Legal Advocacy - Lead NCCM’s major public interest litigation, including constitutional, human rights, administrative and other strategic cases.

- Identify cases with potential for significant legal or systemic impact.
- Develop litigation strategies, legal theories and case plans.
- Draft or oversee pleadings, factums, legal opinions and other major litigation materials.
- Work with external counsel, co-counsel and legal experts where specialized expertise is required.
- Assess opportunities for NCCM to intervene, act as counsel, support strategic litigation or participate in other legal proceedings.

Issues





Management - Serve as a senior legal advisor to NCCM leadership during major or emerging issues.

- Rapidly assess legal, political, reputational and community risks.
- Advise leadership on appropriate responses, including litigation, government engagement, communications and mobilization.
- Work closely with Government Affairs, Policy, Communications and Mobilization teams on coordinated responses to significant issues. Strategy & Organizational Leadership - Develop a framework for identifying and prioritizing strategic cases.
- Maintain a pipeline of potential public interest litigation.
- Build relationships with leading litigators, law firms, academics and legal organizations.
- Mentor junior legal staff and help strengthen NCCM’s strategic legal capabilities.
- Contribute to senior leadership discussions on organizational risk, strategy and priorities.

Qualifications Required - Law degree and membership in valuable standing with a Canadian law society

- Significant Canadian litigation experience.
- Demonstrated experience in public interest, constitutional, human rights, administrative or equality rights law.
- Excellent legal research, writing, advocacy and strategic judgment. Preferred - 8+ years of legal experience.
- Experience before superior or appellate courts, tribunals or human rights bodies.
- Experience with constitutional/Charter litigation.
- Experience working with non-profits, civil society or community organizations.

📌 Senior Counsel, Public Interest Cases & Issues Management (Markham)
🏢 National Council of Canadian Muslims
📍 Markham