Legal Counsel - Montréal, Canada - McGill University

McGill University

Verified Company

Montréal, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Please refer to the

job aid for instructions on how to apply.

Position Context:

Under the supervision of the General Counsel, and in collaboration with another in-house counsel dedicated to research and innovation (including compliance matters), the incumbent provides guidance and legal advice to the units managing the main research functions at the University including the Research and Innovation Office and the Office of Sponsored Research (research grants, contracts, agreements, licensing, material and data transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements, etc.), units supervising research ethics approvals, investigating allegations of breaches to research practices, and units responsible for governance and compliance with applicable legislation and policies (including in particular compliance with federal and provincial guidelines related to research security for data and partnerships), all to ensure the protection of the University's legal interests in areas related to academic research.

The incumbent is responsible for analyzing and drafting contracts and proposing flexible approaches meeting the needs of the parties with whom the University is contracting while ensuring that all legal requirements are taken into account and correctly dealt with, with a focus on compliance matters and institutional risk.

Main Responsibilities:
Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time, and from time to time.

Update, and where required develop, a set of standard (template) agreements useful to research related functions;
Review and approve research related contracts and agreements, including commercially driven agreements, where required and ensure they meet legal requirements;
Negotiate provisions of research related contracts at the request of Research Services officers, whenever legal or business expertise is required;
Advise Research units on matters of policy (IP, copyright, ethics, research data and privacy, investigation of research misconduct, etc.), including training of VPRI personnel as required.
Support policy and guideline development in accordance with granting agencies and institutional requirements, through articulation of issues and principles, and drafting, as required.
Interpret contract law as it applies to University policies and regulations related to research.
Investigate, conduct research and provide advice and counsel on a variety of legal, corporate, commercial and contractual issues.
Analyze the scope and complexities of legal issues; identify and mitigate risks to the legal rights of the University and guard against associated legal risk; articulate alternatives and recommend solutions.
Provide legal advice and professional guidance to researchers and existing or potential partners within assigned areas/sectors of responsibility as it relates to research contracts and agreements.
Monitor, interpret and propose measures meant to implement existing and emerging legislation related to compliance (such as, but not limited to, legislation governing the protection of personal information) and applicable federal and provincial government guidelines (such as, but not limited to, the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships) and support the assessment of operational impacts by relevant units.

Education and Experience:

B.C.L.
Member of the Bar of Quebec.

Five (5) years'

Seven (7) years' related experience
Experience in commercial and contractual law, ideally with a focus on intellectual property rights and protection of personal information, with negotiating and drafting experience.
Experience in the higher education sector will be an asset.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

Excellent communication skills and team approach to facilitate solutions leading to desired results.
Fully bilingual in English and French, verbal and written.
Excellent drafting and negotiating skills, and strong ability to articulate challenges and solutions, verbally and in writing.
Strong organisational, multitasking and prioritizing skills.
Demonstrated ability to work under pressure on multiple projects and meet strict deadlines in a fastpaced environment where priorities are constantly changing.
Focused and selfmotivated individual who works well autonomously and can also function well as part of a team.
Proven ability to take initiative, solve complex problems and propose solid alternatives with tact in delicate situations.
Strong sense of ethics, leadership and ability to share experience and expertise with client groups.
Ability to work in a complex environment, where differing interests must be reconciled to achieve desired results. To that end, experience of the higher education sector will be an advantage.

- "Knowledge of French and English:_

McGill University is an Englishlanguage university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position h