In-House Counsel

JD Development Group

$125K — $170K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
  • 4-9 years of legal experience, preferably in construction, real estate, or commercial law.
  • Strong knowledge of Ontario's Construction Act.
  • Excellent negotiation, drafting, and risk management skills.
  • Proven leadership and staff development capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic legal advice to executive leadership and operational teams on various legal matters.
  • Negotiate and approve complex agreements, including contracts and leases.
  • Advise on compliance with Ontario's Construction Act and related issues.
  • Assess and mitigate legal risks across all projects and operations.
  • Oversee litigation and manage relationships with external legal counsel.
  • Ensure compliance with regulations and approve legal templates and policies.
  • Supervise the Law Clerk, mentoring and reviewing their work.

Benefits

  • Opportunity for career advancement in a leadership role.
  • Involvement in high-value and complex legal matters.
  • Collaborative work environment with executive leadership.
  • Mentorship and development opportunities for legal staff.
Full Job Description
Position Summary
The In-House Counsel leads the company's in-house legal function across its construction and real estate development operations. This role provides strategic legal guidance, owns risk and compliance, manages complex contracts and disputes, and supervises the Law Clerk. The In-House Counsel sets direction and exercises the legal judgment the role requires, while delegating documentation, coordination, and administrative execution to the Law Clerk.

Key Responsibilities
  • Provide strategic legal advice to executive leadership and operational teams on construction, real estate, commercial, and corporate matters.
  • Negotiate and approve high-value and complex agreements, including prime contracts, subcontractor and consultant agreements, purchase and sale agreements, and leases.
  • Advise on Ontario's Construction Act, including liens, holdbacks, prompt payment, and adjudication.
  • Own legal risk assessment and mitigation across projects and corporate operations.
  • Oversee litigation, arbitration, mediation, and adjudication, and manage relationships with external counsel and external legal spending.
  • Ensure regulatory and statutory compliance and approve corporate policies and legal templates.
  • Supervise, mentor, and review the work of the Law Clerk, setting priorities and quality standards.
Qualifications
  • Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
  • 4-9 years of legal experience, preferably in construction, real estate, or commercial law.
  • Strong working knowledge of Ontario's Construction Act.
  • Excellent negotiation, drafting, and risk-management skills.
  • Proven ability to lead, delegate, and develop staff.

Compensation
$125-170K annually
Work Location
5 days on site

Vacancy Status
This job posting is for an open vacancy.

Use of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used throughout the recruitment process, including resume screening, candidate assessment, and selection, to ensure efficiency and alignment with hob requirements.

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