The senior legal counsel plays a key role within the Legal Services Team, with a primary focus on providing legal advice, advocacy and support to Ontario Principals' Council (OPC) Members on a broad range of matters connected to their roles as principals and vice-principals. This includes workplace investigations, dispute resolution processes, professional discipline proceedings and other employment-related legal issues. Reporting to the general counsel, the senior legal counsel also provides legal advice and support to local districts on matters affecting local membership, including constitutional, policy and terms and conditions matters. The role also provides broader legal and strategic support to OPC staff and the organization, including developing and delivering training materials, reviewing and preparing corporate contracts, assisting with human resources and operational issues and advising the general counsel on governance, policy, legislative and corporate matters affecting the OPC. The role also involves providing guidance to legal counsel and assigning tasks to the law clerk as required.

In support of the OPC’s commitment to supporting human rights, truth and reconciliation and combatting oppression and discrimination in all its forms, all staff are expected to engage in ongoing learning reflective of their personal understanding of historical and systemic oppression. Learning opportunities may be provided during staff meetings or other sessions offered internally or there may be additional opportunities with which individuals can engage voluntarily.

Staff in leadership roles are expected to consistently practice and model principles of anti-oppression and human rights and support their own professional growth and the learning of other staff. As well, staff in leadership roles should be consistently reviewing the systems and practices within their department and the organization to promote continuous improvement.

Reason for Posting: This position is to fill an upcoming vacancy. 

Key Responsibilities

In addition to the responsibilities described below, the senior legal counsel will complete other duties as assigned by the general counsel or the executive director to ensure the successful operations of the organization.

 Collaboration

• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other OPC staff.
• Collaborate with the director of protective services and the Protective Services Team (PST) consultants on Member files.
• Collaborate with the executive director, the president, director of protective services and PST consultants on support to local districts.
• Collaborate with other departments in developing educational materials and delivering workshops.

Supervision

• Supervise articling students upon request including acting as Articling Principal.
• Provide support and guidance to legal counsel.
• Assign tasks to law clerk.

Corporate Matters

• Support general counsel in the review, analysis or drafting of ministry and other third-party contracts and in dealing with human resources issues or any other operations matters upon request.
• Support general counsel in advising the governance table on matters related to education policy, legislation affecting school boards or the OPC, the OPC’s constitution, policies and other governance or corporate matters, including relations with districts and other partners.
• Attend governance table meetings as required.
• Participate in Member Advocacy and Support Team, PST and staff meetings.

District and Member Support

• Develop educational materials for principals and vice-principals for publication in the OPC’s magazine and on its website.
• Develop and deliver training and educational sessions for Members.
• Conduct constitutional reviews for local districts for policy compliance.
• Provide legal advice and support to locals on matters affecting the local membership.

Member Files

• Conduct written and oral advocacy with arbitration boards and tribunals, including but not limited to representing the OPC and Members at mediations and at arbitration proceedings.
• Under the direction of general counsel, liaise with and provide instructions to external counsel on individual Member files as necessary, to ensure appropriate expertise is available.
• Provide legal advice and support to the PST consultants and, where appropriate, directly to OPC Members on employment-related matters.
• Support the efforts of the PST consultants representing Members in employment investigations and dispute resolution procedures.
• Represent principals and vice-principals in professional discipline proceedings at the Ontario College of Teachers.
• Assist principals and vice-principals in responding to other legal proceedings related to the performance of their employment duties.
• Provide advice or legal representation for principals and vice-principals regarding Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, long-term disability appeals and return to work matters.

Terms and Conditions

• Develop training materials, deliver training sessions and provide advice and support in the negotiations for principal and vice-principal terms and conditions contracts, both locally and provincially.
• Provide legal advice and support as part of the provincial negotiations team.
• Provide legal support by conducting research and drafting new contract language as part of the provincial and local negotiations processes.
• Advise locals on legal matters related to the negotiation and application of local terms and conditions.

Qualifications and Skills

• Member in good standing or eligible for the Law Society of Ontario
• Demonstrated experience in education law, labour law or professional discipline is required
• Minimum seven years of legal experience
• Extensive experience in negotiation and advocacy, including drafting, research, writing and analytical abilities
• French language capabilities beneficial

Working Conditions

• Salary range: $163,615-$199,974  
• Hybrid work model (up to 60% remote)
• Occasional work outside regular office hours may be required
• Other terms as outlined in the OPC’s polices and employment contract

Expected Start Date: September 2026

Application Process

Applicants are asked to submit

• a cover letter
• a curriculum vitae and
• contact information for two professional references, one of which must be a direct supervisor.

Applications will be accepted until a successful candidate is identified. 

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