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.
- 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
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.
Skills Required
- Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- 4-9 years of legal experience.
- Strong working knowledge of Ontario's Construction Act (liens, holdbacks, prompt payment, adjudication).
- Excellent negotiation, drafting, and risk-management skills.
- Proven ability to lead, delegate, supervise, mentor, and develop staff (Law Clerk oversight).
- Experience in construction, real estate, or commercial law.
What We Do
JD's vision for its residential developments is based on high-quality design, construction, and a management that recognizes and leverages niche market needs across the Canadian urban landscape. Our mission is to generate opportunity for investors, purchasers, and tenants through our innovations while creating 'A Different Way of Living'. We are committed to creating long-term value by our strong track record in only offering our partners opportunities that meet stringent criteria. Our projects are developed with a singular goal, to provide the greatest return potential to our clients while ensuring all of our developments provide high-quality investments. We're different because we are considerate of the needs of others. Our capability is built on vision and experience. And our strength is built on our ability to work efficiently and diligently with our partners to deliver affordable quality products.
