As a Senior Counsel in Legislative Services, you provide advanced legal expertise and strategic advice to support the Department of National Defence's legislative agenda and parliamentary affairs. You work on complex legal issues related to legislation, regulations, and government operations, ensuring that DND's actions comply with all applicable laws and constitutional requirements. This role involves analyzing proposed legislation, drafting legal opinions, advising senior management on legislative implications, and representing the department in legislative consultations and parliamentary processes.
Your responsibilities include reviewing and commenting on bills and regulations that may affect DND operations, coordinating legal positions across the department, and providing counsel on legislative compliance matters. You work collaboratively with other government departments, Parliament, and external stakeholders to advance government legislative priorities. This position requires strong analytical skills, sound legal judgment, and the ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences, including senior executives and elected officials.
You will work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where legislative priorities can shift with parliamentary schedules and government priorities. The role offers opportunities to influence policy at a national level and contribute meaningfully to the governance of Canada's defence organization.
Key Responsibilities
Provide legislative 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 have a law degree (Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor) from a Canadian law school or equivalent qualification recognized by provincial law societies. You must be a member in good standing of a provincial law society in Canada or be eligible for admission. Admission to the Law Society of Ontario, Law Society of British Columbia, or other provincial law societies is required to practice law in Canada.
Professional development is ongoing in this role. You will have opportunities to develop expertise in legislative law, constitutional law, and government operations. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Justice Canada, and other federal departments offer training and professional development programs relevant to legislative counsel work. Many practitioners pursue specialized certifications or advanced training in areas such as parliamentary law, regulatory affairs, or public law. Active participation in professional law associations and keeping current with legal developments in your practice area is expected.
Entry Plans
Entry into this position typically occurs through advertised competitions open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. You may enter as a Senior Counsel directly if you have substantial experience in legislative law, government counsel work, or similar advanced legal roles. Many successful candidates come from positions as Counsel or Lawyer within the federal public service, provincial governments, private law firms with government law practices, or in-house counsel roles in large organizations.
The federal Public Service uses both open competitions and priority hiring processes. Some competitions may be restricted to current federal employees as part of internal development initiatives. Student programs such as the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or Post-Secondary Recruitment (PSR) can provide entry pathways for law students and recent graduates, though these typically lead to Lawyer or Counsel positions before advancement to Senior Counsel. Lateral moves from other federal departments or provincial governments are common, particularly for those with relevant legislative or government law experience. You should monitor the Government of Canada's official job board (jobs.gc.ca) and DND's careers website for advertised opportunities.
Part-Time Options
Part-time work arrangements may be available depending on operational needs and department policy, though Senior Counsel positions are typically full-time due to the strategic and advisory nature of the work. Remote work options have become more flexible across the federal public service; many legal services roles now offer hybrid arrangements allowing work from home on certain days while maintaining office presence for collaboration and meetings.
Flexible work arrangements, such as adjusted start and end times or compressed work weeks, may be negotiable with your manager. Flexible work is subject to operational requirements and approval. The nature of legislative services work—which often involves urgent parliamentary deadlines and time-sensitive advice—may limit flexibility during certain periods. Discussion of specific work arrangements occurs during the hiring process and can be revisited during your employment based on business needs and mutual agreement with your supervisor.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
