Law Clerk (One Year Contract) with possibility of extension

Who is OMVIC:

OMVIC (Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council) is Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator. OMVIC enforces the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and other consumer protection statutes for the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. OMVIC’s mandate and role is to maintain a fair and informed marketplace by protecting the rights of consumers, enhancing industry professionalism, and ensuring fair, honest, and open competition for registered motor vehicle dealers. This is achieved by maintaining strict dealer/salesperson registration requirements; inspecting all Ontario dealers (new and used); providing free complaint handling to consumers; developing/delivering consumer and dealer education/awareness programs; and investigating and prosecuting industry non-compliance and illegal sales (curbsiding).

What we offer:

OMVIC is made up of dedicated and hard-working individuals who take pride in the work they do each day to ensure that our mandate is being met. It is this great group of people that create a team atmosphere that is comfortable, friendly, and open which works to foster the team spirit.

Position Summary:

The Law Clerk is responsible for a wide variety of legal and administrative duties within the Legal Services Department.  This includes the preparation of legal documents and correspondence, responding to inquiries, performing file research, maintaining OMVIC’s file management database, interacting with internal and external stakeholders and interacting with others in the legal department and those involved in OMVIC’s administrative actions.  Broad and thorough knowledge of basic legal concepts and principles is essential for this role.

Responsibilities

• Prepare legal documents based on written instruction, verbal direction, records of court proceedings, and precedents.
• Draft, issue, file and serve legal documents and correspondence with respect to litigation matters.
• Proofread and edit all documentation for grammar, spelling, and content accuracy.
• Obtain and follow direction or instructions from lawyers and prosecutors with respect to office and practice management including filing, scheduling meetings via various virtual platforms, keeping OMVIC’s file management database up to date, booking internal meeting rooms, preparing agendas and making travel arrangements.
• Conduct legal research as directed by lawyers and prosecutors, including research on statutes, ordinances, rules of practice, court and administrative tribunal decisions, opinions, and articles.
• Assemble and prepare legal documents based on research, such as summaries, resolutions, disclosure, briefs, compendia and pleadings including preparation of records on Case Centre when required.
• Assist with case preparation by assembling and reviewing case records and updating case progress into internal database.
• Participate in witness interviews regarding complaints, depositions, and statements under the direction and supervision of a lawyer or prosecutor.
• Prepare presentations.
• Participation in internal projects or internal committees are voluntary but are encouraged for career development and enhancement of knowledge relating to organizational initiatives and mandates.
• Reviewing emails, and other general correspondence received by the legal department and ensuring correspondence is addressed and stored in the appropriate place in electronic or hard copy files.
• Liaising with outside organizations, Ministries, other regulators (including other Delegated Administrative Authorities), courts, hearing offices and law enforcement agencies.
• Maintaining and keeping up to date the department tracking system for hearings, appeals, meetings and return/due dates.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• • Bachelor’s degree or college diploma in a legal field is required.
  • ILCO Law Clerk designation or Paralegal license in good standing with LSO is required.
  • At least 3-5 years of proven legal experience, preferably including litigation support with respect to regulatory or administrative proceedings before tribunals, Provincial Offences Act prosecutions, civil litigation or any combination of such experience.
  • Good knowledge of basic legal concepts, principles, and terminology.
  • Familiarity with or practical knowledge of one or more of the following statutes is an asset: the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002 and related regulations, the Canada Evidence Act, the Ontario Evidence Act, the Provincial Offences Act, the Highway Traffic Act and related regulations, the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and related regulation, the Sale of Goods Act, the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act, and the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
  • Practical knowledge of the Licence Appeal Tribunal rules and practice directions and familiarity with the standard template forms used in Licence Appeal Tribunal proceedings is an asset.
  • Good understanding of legal reference materials, procedures, and legal filing systems.
  • Ability to read, interpret and apply legal documentation, laws or legislation.
  • Strong sense of ethics and the ability to handle sensitive or private information with tact and discretion.
  • Superior interpersonal and communication skills to interact with employees, lawyers or prosecutors, witnesses, other departments within OMVIC, and external agencies.
  • Critical thinking, analysis, and research skills are essential, including proficiency in using internet and traditional research sources such as Quicklaw/Lexis+, Westlaw, and CanLii.
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneDrive/SharePoint.
  • Strong knowledge of Adobe (Pro).
  • Strong written (including letter writing), drafting, spelling, grammar, and punctuation for correspondence and legal documentation.
  • Effective time and file management skills, and the ability to prioritize tasks with minimal supervision.
  • Sound and independent judgment, reasoning, and diplomacy.
  • Resourcefulness and flexibility in handling various situations.

  We respectfully thank all applicants for their interest in working at OMVIC. However, we will only contact those meeting the qualifications for an interview.

  OMVIC fosters an environment that respects people’s dignity, ideas and beliefs, thereby working to ensure diversity, equality and inclusion and has been committed to and will continue advocating for an environment where all persons are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. OMVIC is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Should you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify the Human Resources department.