As a Law Clerk in Legal Advisory Services at the Department of National Defence, you will provide essential support to legal professionals and contribute to the delivery of legal services across the organization. You will work alongside lawyers and legal advisors to ensure that DND operations comply with Canadian law and meet the highest standards of legal practice. This role is critical to supporting military operations, personnel matters, procurement, and policy development with sound legal guidance.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include legal research and analysis, preparing legal documents and correspondence, reviewing contracts and agreements, maintaining legal files and databases, and assisting with legal proceedings. You will work on diverse files ranging from employment law and administrative law to military law and international humanitarian law. You will interact with various DND stakeholders, other government departments, and external legal counsel to gather information and provide support.
You will work in a professional legal environment where accuracy, attention to detail, and discretion are essential. The work can be demanding during busy periods, particularly when supporting ongoing operations or legal proceedings. You may work at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa or at other DND locations across Canada.
Key Responsibilities
Provide legal advisory services support to departmental clients, Research and analyze legal issues and precedents, Draft legal opinions, contracts, and regulatory instruments, Advise on legal risks and compliance requirements
Post-secondary education or equivalent experience relevant to the position
Training
To qualify for this position, you typically need a diploma or degree in legal studies, law clerk certification, or equivalent experience in a legal environment. Many successful candidates hold a Legal Assistant or Law Clerk certificate from a recognized Canadian college program. Some positions may accept applicants with a high school diploma plus significant relevant work experience.
Professional certifications that strengthen your application include credentials from the Canadian Association of Legal Professionals (CALP) or the law society in your province. Once hired, you may have the opportunity to pursue additional certifications, such as in legal research, military law, or government administration.
The Government of Canada supports ongoing professional development. Depending on your position and department priorities, you may access training in legal technology, federal legislation, DND-specific policies, and specialized legal areas. Internal mentoring and formal training programs help you develop expertise in government legal practice.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career with the DND civilian workforce through several pathways. The most common route is through a public service competition (advertised on the Government of Canada's Job Bank) where you apply and compete based on your qualifications, education, and experience. These competitions may be open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or existing federal public service employees, depending on the specific posting.
If you are already a federal public service employee, you may apply through internal competitions or lateral movement processes, which can provide faster access to Law Clerk positions. DND also participates in federal student recruitment programs, including the Post-Secondary Recruitment Campaign (PSRC) and Co-op Placement Program, which offer pathways for students pursuing legal studies or related programs.
Some candidates enter as casual or indeterminate employees through job pools maintained by DND's Legal Services. These pools allow the department to quickly staff positions when legal support is needed. Your application will be assessed on your education, technical skills, and ability to work in a federal legal environment.
Part-Time Options
Part-time work is available for Law Clerk positions, though most positions are structured as full-time indeterminate or term employment. Part-time opportunities may be more common during specific projects or seasonal legal needs.
Flexible work arrangements, including compressed work weeks and flexible hours, are increasingly available across the federal public service. Many DND locations support flexible schedules to help employees balance work and personal commitments. Eligibility depends on operational requirements and manager approval.
Remote and hybrid work options have expanded across the Government of Canada. Depending on the specific legal team and work requirements, some Law Clerk duties can be performed remotely, particularly legal research, document preparation, and file management. However, some in-person presence may be required for confidentiality, file security, and collaboration with the legal team. Discuss flexible arrangements with your hiring manager, as they vary by position and location.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
