Minimum 4 years of post-call legal experience in a corporate environment or top-tier law firm, preferably in-house at a Fortune 500 company or comparable food industry company.
Proven capability to perform essential job functions through equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Strong legal and business acumen, balancing legal risks with business objectives.
Ability to present complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal audiences.
Excellent time and case management skills with a responsive and adaptable work style.
Self-starter with capacity to work independently, requiring minimal supervision.
Fluency in English required; fluency in French is a plus.
Responsibilities
Provide general legal advice to business and operational employees.
Manage sensitive legal issues in employment law, including termination negotiations and compliance.
Negotiate and draft commercial contracts, recommending risk mitigation strategies.
Support corporate legal matters such as business acquisitions and mergers.
Assist in real estate law matters including lease reviews and property transactions.
Help manage litigation with external counsel and internal personnel.
Research regulatory developments affecting the business and develop compliance training.
Benefits
Hybrid work model allowing for flexibility.
Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and EAP after 30 days.
Full flex benefits program tailored to personal needs.
Company matching RRSP to support future savings.
Profit sharing potential to reward employee contributions.
Established 125-year family-owned company culture.
Opportunities for career advancement within a family-oriented environment.
Full Job Description
This role is based in Milton, Ontario as a part of the growing legal team in Canada.
What We Offer:
The salary range for this position is $145,000 to $165,000 plus 20% bonus potential
Hybrid work
Travel across Canada and occasionally in US
Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and EAP Benefits after 30 days of employment
FULL flex benefits program
Company matching RRSP
Profit Sharing
125-year, family-owned and operated company history
Family culture and advancement opportunities
What you would do:
General provision of legal advice to business and operational employees of company and specialty companies including but not limited to:
Employment Law: Management of sensitive legal issues such as employee termination negotiations and related litigation, human rights complaints, integrity hotline complaints, investigations, ensuring consistency in template documents, advising on employment equity compliance, assist with immigration and work permit applications, work with Compliance and HR in policy development and respective processes
Corporate Law: Support on business acquisition and merger activities, including due diligence, negotiation, and documentation
Real Estate Law: Lease review, landlord disputes, purchase and sale of real property, lease negotiations, contractor management, etc.
Litigation: Assist in the management of litigation through collaboration with external counsel and business personnel
IP Law: Non-disclosure agreements; licensing agreements; consultation on IP, IT, CASL
Regulatory: Research new regulations affecting the business in all areas; conveying them to the business through development of compliance training.
Collaborate with other members of the Legal Team to support the Canadian Business and the broader organization where appropriate.
Assist with project work and strategic efforts, including the advancement of contract lifecycle management technology.
Performs other duties as assigned
Does this sound like you?
Minimum 4 years of post-call legal experience in a corporate legal environment or Top-tier law firm with some exposure to several of the substantive areas listed; preference for in-house lawyer (Fortune 500 or comparably sized food industry company is a plus).
In lieu of the specified experience requirements, a proven capability to perform the essential functions of the job, as demonstrated by an equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant work experience may be considered.
Legal and Business Acumen:
A pragmatic, business-oriented approach to problem-solving with a demonstrated ability to balance legal risks with business objectives
Proven ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical, actionable advice for a non-legal audience
Presentation skills that can reach audiences of operational employees through senior executive level employees
Excellent time and case management skills; exceptional responsiveness and the ability to shift quickly between substantive areas of law in a fast paced environment
Self starting and independent work style, without need for frequent points of contact/supervision throughout the day
Good judgment, triage capability, and ability to spot issues; strong workload management skills with the ability to work independently or collaborate, conduct research and assess risk, and escalate matters when appropriate
Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, strategies or when defending/conveying a point
High level of integrity exercised internally and in representing GFS to outside parties
English fluency required, additional French fluency strongly preferred.
