Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Legal Counsel to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most significant natural areas and the species they sustain. With office locations in all ten provinces across Canada, NCC delivers results you can walk on

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

NCC is seeking a Legal Counsel to join its in-house legal team. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this legal counsel role acts as a business partner to NCC’s operating units, with a focus on those units located in Eastern Canada, and is responsible for providing legal support on a wide range of matters. A major focus for this position will include drafting, reviewing and assisting operating unit managers and directors in the negotiation of commercial contracts, land purchase and donation agreements as well as conservation agreements with landowners, and agreements with third parties regarding the use of NCC lands.

Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including service provider contracts, consultant agreements, grant agreements, gift agreements, licenses, leases partnership agreements and other legal agreements and correspondence related to managing NCC lands as well as other functional services in areas such as marketing & development, public affairs & communications, IT,



finance and HR.

Advise relevant staff on individual land conservation transactions, including securement-related legal documentation (eg. Advise on compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including those specific to charitable organizations and land trusts, with the assistance of external counsel.

Develop, draft, maintain and continuously improve contract templates, policies, procedures and associated legal support documentation to meet regulatory requirements and improve internal workflows.

Provide training or coordinate externally supported training, from time to time, for internal teams.

Perform legal research and providing general advice and counsel on a variety of legal topics.

Provide "triage" legal support for Operating Unit staff, distinguishing issues based on urgency, importance to NCC, risk, cost and quality of result.

In conjunction with internal clients and the in-house legal team, manage the referral of issues to external counsel as required to effectively balance NCC risk, client service and overall costs to the organization.

In conjunction with the Chief Legal Officer, support key relationships across NCC’s operations including those with Indigenous communities and government partners.

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to the bar of at least one of the following provinces:



A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a law firm or in-house including in the following areas:

Commercial contracting for a broad range of supply and professional services agreements.

Real estate law and real property conveyancing including experience in negotiating and drafting agreements of purchase and sale and other legal documents related to the acquisition and management of real estate

Experience related to conservation agreements, commercial and residential tenancies, mining law, liability issues and / or civil litigation preferred.

Experience with Indigenous and charitable donor relationships would be an asset.

Creative problem solver with sound judgement in identifying solutions to complex legal and risk management issues.

Prior experience working for an in-house legal department is an asset.

Bilingual proficiency in French and English is strongly preferred, including the ability to read, write, and speak both languages.

A limited amount of travel within Canada will be required.

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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