About Us

As the regulator of Nova Scotia's legal profession, the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society exists to uphold and protect the public interest in the practice of law. The Nova Scotia Barristers' Society oversees clerks' and lawyers' accreditation with their admissions and licensing process, establishes ethical standards, ensures the professional responsibility of lawyers, and strives to improve the administration of justice. The Society proactively works to create a legal profession that broadly reflects the diverse public it serves.

Learn more about the Society.

What you'll be doing:

Legal Services Support (LSS) focuses on assisting lawyers and firms to deliver legal services competently and ethically, in large part through implementation of a Management System for Ethical Legal Practice (MSELP). The LSS Counsel works with a team of cross-departmental staff to proactively identify risk in practice that can be addressed through practice advice, educational and resource-based approaches. In response to this work, and through the MSELP and other regulatory programs, they create tools and resources to assist in mitigating risk in practice and provide advisory services to support the development of an effective management system for ethical legal practice. LSS Counsel works within the Education & Credentials (E&C) team to support the Society's educational and credentialing priorities broadly.

Key Responsibilities

• As part of the Education & Credentials (E&C) team, offering support and advice to lawyers, firms and colleagues on practice management and credentialing-related issues;
• Providing assistance, support, resources and advice to lawyers in relation to the means by which they can achieve an effective MSELP, and tailoring the tools and resources to varying types of legal entities;
• Assisting the Society in maintaining awareness of emerging practice issues;
• Advising applicants for admission and new firms on all aspects of regulatory compliance and best practices as part of the New Firm Registration program;
• Developing and providing workshops and education sessions on regulatory and practice issues to lawyers, articled clerks, law students, and others;
• Developing additional resources for practice management based on results of data collected and analyzed;
• Liaising with other Society staff to identify risk, collect information, and provide resources to lawyers and entities;
• Collaborating with Education staff to ensure articling requirements are fulfilled;
• Advising articled clerks and principals in relation to program requirements and questions arising during the articling term;
• Working with the Lawyers' Insurance Association of Nova Scotia (LIANS), contribute to the Fraud Alerts service and LIANSWERS to ensure information is accurate and timely;
• Working with the Society's communications team, contribute to external communications highlighting relevant practice advice and resources;
• Maintaining a Practice Resource database on the Society's website;
• Supporting Society committees, working groups and other projects relating to practice support and MSELP;
• Liaising with counterparts nationally to identify best practices and develop practice supports; and
• Assisting with other Society work as required.

What we are looking for:

This position requires significant initiative, sound judgment, excellent communication skills and the ability to analyze data and measure outcomes. The individual is a technology 'adopter'. They must have experience in identifying organizational risk, practice management strategies, facilitation and training skills, high-level communication skills as well as the ability to have difficult conversations and work cooperatively with staff, lawyers and other stakeholders. The LSS Counsel has a professional and mature demeanour, the ability to work with minimal supervision, and strong problem-solving skills. Excellent organizational, interpersonal and time management skills are required to manage the diverse workload and clients.

• Law degree and a substantial knowledge of the legal profession as well as law firm structure, culture and operations;
• Practicing member of the Nova Scotia bar or eligible for membership;
• At least 5 years experience in private practice;
• Significant experience using technology-based law practice management systems, e.g., electronic file and practice management software, litigation software, accounting and billing software;
• Adult education experience and an ability to develop training materials and facilitate training programs;
• Ability to establish and manage multiple, competing priorities in consultation with stakeholders;
• Understanding of concepts of organizational risk and risk prevention strategies;
• Strong information management and relevant technical skills; e.g., database experience, report and presentation creation;
• Ability to coordinate, engage with and motivate staff to provide legal services support in a coordinated, consistent, and Triple P (proactive, principled and proportionate) manner;
• Well developed interpersonal and leadership skills;
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written;
• Ability to analyze situations, discern issues and communicate empathetically applying anti-discrimination and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) practices and principles, as appropriate;
• Formal communications and adult education training, an asset;
• Training in Cultural Competence, an asset; and
• Experience managing a legal practice, an asset.

What's in it for you:

We offer a competitive salary based on qualifications and experience, a comprehensive health benefits package, a retirement savings program and flexible work options.

NSBS is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace that starts with our selection process. We welcome applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized; members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; newcomers to Canada; and people with disabilities. Our goal is to create opportunities for individuals from groups that have historically faced barriers to participation. If you identify with one or more of these equity-deserving groups, we invite you to share this information in your application and to include your pronouns if you feel comfortable doing so. We are also dedicated to accommodating individuals experiencing disabilities at any stage of the selection process. If you require accommodations, please let us know, and we will work with you to address your needs.

If you are interested in this exciting career opportunity, please submit your application in confidence (including resume and cover letter) to us via email at [email protected].

This posting will remain open until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those considered for an interview will be contacted.