As a Director of Litigation Services, you will lead a team of legal professionals responsible for managing, coordinating, and delivering litigation support across the Department of National Defence. In this role, you oversee all aspects of civil litigation, including case strategy, legal research, court proceedings, and settlement negotiations. You provide senior legal advice to departmental leadership on complex litigation matters and ensure compliance with legal obligations and federal court procedures.
Your responsibilities include supervising litigation lawyers and support staff, managing litigation budgets and resources, developing litigation policies and procedures, and representing the Department in civil court proceedings. You will work collaboratively with other government departments, external legal counsel, and stakeholders to protect the Department's interests and manage legal risks. This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and expertise in federal litigation practices.
You will work in a dynamic legal environment within National Defence headquarters or regional offices. The role involves managing high-stakes cases, meeting court deadlines, and balancing multiple priorities. You will interact regularly with senior government officials, external lawyers, and court personnel, and may occasionally be required to travel.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of litigation services services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the litigation services team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To qualify for this position, you must have a law degree from a recognized university and be a member in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society. Most candidates have 10+ years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in litigation practice and demonstrated experience in a supervisory or management capacity.
Professional development is encouraged and may include specialized litigation training, advanced legal research courses, management and leadership development programs, and federal government administration courses. You may pursue continuing legal education (CLE) credits to maintain professional standing. The Department supports participation in professional legal associations and conferences relevant to your practice area. Many directors pursue advanced credentials such as mediation or arbitration certifications to enhance their legal expertise.
Entry Plans
Entry into this Director-level position typically occurs through several pathways within the federal Public Service:
Competitive Staffing: The primary method is through open or limited competitions advertised on the Government of Canada's Job Bank or through DND's internal staffing processes. These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents and follow federal Public Service Commission guidelines.
Lateral Moves: Experienced litigators working in other federal departments or provincial government legal services may transition into this role through interdepartmental competitions or Priority Placement Programs (if applicable).
Internal Advancement: Lawyers currently employed by DND in litigation or legal advisory roles may advance to Director positions through internal competitions, demonstrating increased management responsibility and legal expertise.
Experienced Lawyer Stream: Government of Canada may recruit experienced lawyers from private practice or other sectors through targeted recruitment initiatives, though candidates must compete fairly with other applicants.
All candidates must undergo security screening, including a Top Secret security clearance for access to sensitive defence information.
Part-Time Options
This Director-level position is typically offered on a full-time, permanent basis. However, flexible work arrangements may be available depending on operational requirements and departmental policy.
Remote and hybrid work options have become more common in federal legal services, with potential for telework on certain days when not required for court appearances, client meetings, or team leadership activities. The extent of remote work flexibility depends on the litigation schedule, court proceedings, and departmental needs.
Part-time or job-sharing arrangements at the Director level are uncommon but may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Any flexible arrangement would require approval from senior management and would need to ensure continuity of litigation services and team leadership.
You should inquire about specific work arrangement options during the recruitment process, as they vary by office location and current operational demands.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
