Lawyer ; Family Law

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Closing Date:05-Feb-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

This is an opportunity to join the government’s law firm – the Legal Services Division of the Department of Justice. Legal Services lawyers advise and represent the provincial government on the most pressing legal and public policy issues of the day. We are the legal counsel for the Government of Nova Scotia, Crown corporations, agencies, boards, and commissions. We help ensure that public affairs are administered effectively, efficiently and in accordance with the law.

For more information on the Department of Justice Legal Services please visit our website.

This opportunity is for a position on our Family Litigation team in Halifax. Successful candidates may be asked to appear at Court locations outside of Halifax.

• Consult with client representatives, including Deputy Ministers, Executive Directors, and other senior leaders on matters involving law, negotiation, tactics or public policy; may attend management committees of client departments or frequently attend the meetings.
• Advising Ministers, Deputy/Associate Deputy Ministers, Executive Directors, and other senior government leaders on matters involving law, negotiation, strategy, and public policy;
• Appear before the Supreme Court (Family Division), Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada (occasionally);
• Drafting Affidavits and other documents and representing the client in court, often on short timelines;
• Presenting information about government and law to the public generally or as part of a consultation process for public policy development; and
• Serve on interdepartmental committees and project teams with senior and intermediate staff of client departments.

As our successful candidate, you will:

• Be a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society (or eligible for practicing membership).
• Have legal practice experience in family law.
• Have a working knowledge of computer software programs, internet and electronic mail.

Our successful candidate will have excellent research, analytical, and organizational skills. You communicate effectively and persuasively, orally and in writing, and have the ability to function with minimal supervision in a team environment. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to offer creative and innovative solutions to complex challenges and have the flexibility to adapt and thrive in a continuously changing and demanding environment.

• Practice experience in child protection law.
• Practice experience representing a child protection agency.
• Experience practicing within government.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

This competition is selling to fill one (1) permanent and one (1) term employment opportunity, located in Halifax, NS. The term has an anticipated end date of February 26, 2027.

The successful candidate must have access to a vehicle.

Will be required to work overtime on occasion.

This is an Association position initially restricted to current Nova Scotia Government Lawyers Association employees. In accordance with the Agreement with the Nova Scotia Government Lawyers Association, the order of consideration will be eligible ‘Expression of Interest’ EOI applicants, eligible internal applicants then external applicants.

PLEASE NOTE:

Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths

Salary Range: $3,568.55- $7,240.93 Bi-Weekly

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer.