Legal Counsel (15-month opportunity)

Dentons is designed to be different. Our Firm leads the way in a rapidly changing legal marketplace. We challenge the status quo and deliver consistent results as well as uncompromising quality and value to our clients. Our global presence is renowned as a firm with over 21,000 individuals in more than 200 offices serving clients across 80+ countries.

Dentons Canada is committed to its people and communities. We are consistently recognized as an employer of choice having received numerous awards including being selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2026). Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2026), and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2026).

This role is an opportunity for you to join Canada’s Global Law Firm, a firm that offers opportunities to build your career while growing your skills and deepening your expertise.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking a lawyer to join the national team in a temporary position (15-month parental leave coverage from July 2026 – October 2027).  This role is a hybrid opportunity requiring a minimum of two days per week in the office.

Dentons’ Office of the General Counsel is an in-house team of trusted legal advisors to the Firm who provide legal advice to lawyers, management, the board and business services colleagues. The Office of the General Counsel advises on a variety of issues including: third party vendor contracts and service agreements, claims and litigation; legal ethics, professional and legal obligations; insurance coverage; law society complaints and reporting procedures; confidentiality and privacy; compliance with anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and fraud avoidance rules and regulations; compliance with regional and global policies and procedures; and training and educational programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Senior Deputy General Counsel, the responsibilities of the Legal Counsel will include:

• Working with the Firm’s Privacy Officer and the Privacy and Compliance Manager, to support the Firm’s enterprise privacy program, including by providing day-to-day guidance  and privacy legal advice to business services teams, responding to requests from regulators, liaising with global privacy colleagues, managing incidents, supporting the development and implementation of privacy-related policies, processes, and risk assessments, and promoting privacy awareness and education throughout the Firm.
• Reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements with external suppliers, including, professional services and consulting agreements, software and service agreements with IT-based and other suppliers, non-disclosure agreements, sponsorship, event and publication contracts, and recruitment and agency contracts.
• Providing advice on professional and regulatory obligations, insurance, and a variety of issues relevant to the Firm’s business.
• Working with the Firm’s business services personnel and leadership on special projects, including on the topics of AI, legal technology and new Firm initiatives.
• Advising on the Firm’s information governance programs, including in the areas of data loss, access requests, records retention, data protection, etc.
• Supporting the develop and drafting of new policies, advising on the implementation of policies, and supporting education and awareness.
• Identifying areas of risk within the Firm and making recommendations to the Chief Legal Officer.

REQUIREMENTS

Technical Skills

• Licensed lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia, Law Society of Alberta, Law Society of Ontario, or Barreau du Québec with 4 or more years called to the Bar.
• Fundamental understanding of privacy laws.
• Professional certifications such as CIPP/C, CIPP/E, CIPM or AIGP are strongly preferred.
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of the Firm’s personnel, including lawyers, staff and clients.
• Ability to maintain discretion when dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
• Detail oriented and well-organized.
• Project management skills with ability to prioritize, organize and execute on multiple deliverables.
• Excellent research, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Strong technology and client service orientation.
• Bilingual language skills in English and French an asset.

*We thank all applicants who apply however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

This position is a coverage role.

The target salary range for this position is $150,000 – $180,000, commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications. Dentons is committed to equitable and competitive compensation. This target range falls within our internal salary ranges, which are based on comparable roles in the external market.  We strive to hire, promote, and transfer individuals at the entry point of the range, with consideration given to prior experience, relevant skills, and market conditions.

We recognize that rewarding exceptional talent goes beyond salary. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes inclusive and flexible benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. This includes extended health and mental health benefits, paid time off, retirement savings plans, a fitness subsidy, parental leave top-up, and more.

In addition, our learning and development programs—such as mentorship opportunities, employee networks, and leadership development initiatives—are designed to support personal and professional growth.

At Dentons, all candidate screening, assessment, and hiring decisions are made by people. From time to time, we use AI-enabled tools to assist in enhancing our recruitment process and materials; however, these tools do not screen candidates or make hiring decisions.

Note: Availability of benefits and programs may vary depending on your location and employment type and may be subject to eligibility criteria. Dentons reserves the right to modify or discontinue offerings, in whole or in part, at its discretion and without prior notice.

Equal Opportunity Statement

At Dentons Canada, inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) are not just ancillary values, they are foundational to our business. We believe that IDEA is essential to the shared success of our team and our clients. Our forward-thinking and inclusive culture supports the professional development of all our people, enhances the leading services we offer to our clients, and informs our commitment to make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. As a testament to our commitment to IDEA, we have been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employer’s for 16 consecutive years (2011-2026), as well as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2026) for the ninth time.

Dentons Canada is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome your application. All employment decisions, including hiring, will be made without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, creed, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity, marital status, place of origin, race, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable human rights legislation.

We are committed to providing you with an inclusive, barrier-free, and accessible workplace to support your success. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, for example as a result of a disability, please contact us at careers.canada@dentons.com.