As a Legal Counsel in Justice Legal Policy Services at the Department of National Defence, you will provide expert legal advice and support to senior management and policy teams on matters affecting DND operations, personnel, and strategic initiatives. Your role is to interpret and apply federal legislation, regulations, and case law to guide organizational decisions and ensure compliance with legal requirements. You will work collaboratively with other government departments, military leadership, and external legal experts to develop legal positions on complex policy issues.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include drafting legal opinions and memoranda, reviewing contracts and agreements, advising on employment law and administrative law matters, and representing the department in legal discussions with other federal bodies. You will analyze emerging legal issues, research case precedents, and provide strategic counsel on risk management and dispute resolution. This role requires sound judgment, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work under tight deadlines on matters of national importance.
You will work in a professional office environment within DND headquarters or regional offices, collaborating with lawyers, policy advisors, military personnel, and civilian staff. The position offers exposure to diverse legal areas including constitutional law, administrative law, labour law, and national security matters. Your contributions directly support the legal integrity and operational effectiveness of Canada's Department of National Defence.
Key Responsibilities
Provide justice legal policy 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
You must be a Canadian lawyer with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a recognized Canadian law school or equivalent. You must be a member in good standing of a provincial law society in Canada and maintain active bar membership throughout your employment.
Certification and professional development include membership with your provincial law society and compliance with continuing legal education requirements. DND supports ongoing professional development through access to legal seminars, government policy courses, security clearance training, and specialized programs in administrative law, military law, and federal governance. Many lawyers in this role pursue additional credentials in public law, alternative dispute resolution, or government law practices.
Familiar knowledge of federal legislation, Treasury Board policies, and the Canadian military structure is valuable. DND provides orientation and training on departmental procedures, security protocols, and the military environment to support your success in the role.
Entry Plans
Most Legal Counsel positions at DND are filled through competitive federal public service staffing processes managed by the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) and the Department of Justice. Entry typically occurs at the AS-03 or AS-04 level (Associate Counsel or Senior Counsel) depending on experience.
You can enter through: (1) Open competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website - these are available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents; (2) Priority pools or inventory lists from previous competitions; (3) Lateral transfers from other federal departments if you are already a Public Service employee with legal experience; (4) The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or similar student internship programs, which can lead to permanent positions after graduation.
To be considered, you must have your law degree completed, be licensed to practice law in Canada, and obtain a federal security clearance (Secret or Top Secret level depending on the role). Application processes typically require submission of a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and references from legal professionals. Some positions may require an interview and assessment of your legal knowledge and analytical abilities.
Part-Time Options
Legal Counsel positions at DND are typically offered as full-time permanent roles, given the specialized expertise required and the nature of legal work supporting departmental operations. However, flexible work arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and management approval.
Remote work is increasingly accommodated for legal counsel roles in the federal government, particularly for research, writing, and advisory work that does not require in-person interaction. However, some attendance at the office may be required for meetings with senior leadership, legal team collaboration, and accessing secure information systems.
Job sharing or part-time arrangements are uncommon but not impossible for this role. If you are interested in flexible work options, these would need to be discussed and negotiated with the hiring manager and DND Human Resources. The feasibility depends on the specific legal assignments, security requirements, and operational demands of the position. Most lawyers in this role work standard full-time hours, with occasional requirements for additional hours during busy policy cycles or legal crises affecting the department.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
