Law Management Group Job Evaluation Standard

Duties

1. Leads and manages strategic, operational, financial and human resource planning for the Commercial Law section. Monitors and modifies plans to meet changing requirements.
2. Oversees and manages the work of staff in three subordinate units in the monitoring, analysis and provision of legal advice and guidance on commercial law issues, trends and risks to the Department of Justice and client departments/agencies, and manages the financial resources of the section.
3. Leads and manages project teams in the research, analysis and development of advice and guidance on commercial law-specific issues and case files.
4. Acts as principal legal advisor for client departments/agencies across government and for the Department of Justice in the area of commercial law.
5. Develops methods and procedures and contributes to the development of technologies and systems for the collection and dissemination of information, policies, advice and guidance; organizes national conferences and workshops, and develops and delivers training.

Knowledge and expertise in commercial law and related sub-specialties, including intellectual property law, real property law, contract law and corporate law, is required to lead and mentor a specialized staff in the provision of legal advice and guidance; to act as principal legal advisor to client departments/agencies and to the Department of Justice in the specialty area of law; and to lead project teams on commercial law-specific issues.

Knowledge of areas of legal practice such as contract law, crown law, corporate law and administrative law as it relates to commercial law and broader client and legal contexts, is required to provide legal advice and guidance and to assess risks.

Knowledge and experience in strategic and operational planning to develop and implement integrated plans that balance and meet the priorities and objectives of client departments, the Department of Justice and the Government of Canada.

Knowledge of broad Government of Canada priorities and objectives (e.g., business transformation, legislative reform, change management) to contribute, as a member of the Business and Regulatory Law portfolio executive team, to these priorities at a corporate and operational level within the section.

Knowledge of human resources and financial management to develop human resource and financial plans, manage salary and operational budgets, attract and retain staff, develop employee capacity, and assess employee performance in commercial law and its related specialty areas (intellectual property law, real property law, and contract law).

Knowledge of project management to plan, manage and coordinate legal specialist teams in the development of legal guidance, advice, and risk assessment.

Knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies, programs, plans and operational realities of Department of Justice portfolios, stakeholders, centres of expertise, regional offices and Departmental Legal Services Units to coordinate, formulate and disseminate clear, comprehensive, integrated advice and guidance on commercial law issues.

Identifies strategic, operational, human resource and financial requirements and develops and implements plans to meet section requirements.

Coordinates, synthesizes, analyzes and integrates information on legal issues and legal trends in commercial law, conducts risk assessments, develops risk mitigation strategies, and provides advice and guidance to the Department of Justice and client departments consistent with government and departmental priorities and objectives.

Analyzes legal documents, options and guidance, briefings and correspondence prepared by section counsel to ensure quality and consistency of advice. Considers broad government implications and impacts, identifies legal and risk management issues, and proposes alternative solutions to counsel to ensure the provision of consistent expert advice.

Analyzes cases emanating from the courts (at all levels) to determine implications for the practice of commercial law.

Leads project teams consisting of legal counsel and client representatives on a variety of commercial law files that may be national in scope or client specific. Analyzes issues and drafts advice and guidance for approval by senior management.

Develops positive working relationships with senior management, legal managers and counsel from across government to provide advice and guidance on issues relating to commercial law; to lead project teams requiring national coordination of resources; and to respond to requests for specialized commercial law analysis, advice, guidance and training.

Establishes working relationships with private counsel involved in the practice of commercial law to anticipate, identify, discuss and share information on emerging issues and best practices.

Drafts briefings and guidance on emerging and legal policy issues; advise senior management of issues; and drafts and disseminates guidance through executive management channels in order to influence or persuade and to ensure consistency of commercial law-related advice across government.

Responsible for strategic and operational planning for the Commercial Law section to ensure alignment of plans and priorities with those of the Business and Regulatory Law portfolio, the Department of Justice and the Government of Canada.

Leads and manages the activities of staff through three subordinate legal specialist teams (intellectual property law; real property law; and contract and corporate law), including: setting goals, priorities and objectives; contributing to the section's and the portfolio's human resources plans; assigning work; leading performance review processes; and identifying training and development needs of counsel to meet operational requirements.

Manages the section's financial resources through the development of financial plans and the management of salary and O& M budgets.

Responsible for national leadership, management, coordination and integration of commercial law advice, guidance and risk management that is consistent with the priorities and objectives of clients, the Department of Justice and the Government of Canada.

Regularly sits for prolonged periods of time when attending meetings, negotiations, consultations, document review or when conducting legal analysis.

Occasionally carries or moves/lifts items used in the support of the work, including but not limited to, legal briefcases, boxes of files or legal texts.

Regularly views computer screens and reads and reviews documents for prolonged periods requiring extensive visual effort.

The work requires dealing with conflicting issues and parties, multiple demands, time pressures, shifting priorities and deadlines which may lead to a lack of control over one's agenda.

There is an occasional requirement to travel and work overtime with resulting impact upon home life.

Work is regularly performed in a typical office environment.

There is a requirement for occasional travel, resulting in jetlag and fatigue.

Organization Context and Position Summary

The Bureau of Pensions Advocates is a small (< 100 FTEs), nation-wide organization of advocates (lawyers) within Veterans Affairs Canada. The Bureau's mandate is to assist clients in the preparation of applications for review or appeals and to arrange for them to be represented by an advocate at hearings before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.

The Bureau of Pensions Advocates operates at arm's length from Veterans Affairs Canada in regard to its advocacy mandate and has 14 offices organized into four areas (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Western) across Canada. There is an Appeal Unit at headquarters, comprising a team of five advocates.

Manages the Appeal Unit and provides direction and oversight to the four area offices.

Plans and manages national advocate services to assist clients in the preparation of applications for review or appeals and to represent clients at hearings before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board and represents clients on appeal cases.

Duties

1. Provides input to the Bureau's strategic directions and plans. Sets and manages the national business direction and priorities for advocate services; develops and manages operational, human and financial resources and related plans and budgets.
2. Assigns, reviews and monitors files and cases, identifies broader strategic implications and risks and provides related advice and guidance to the executive management team; develops and implements policies and procedures to improve client services.
3. Provides advice and guidance to Bureau advocates on complex cases, ethical issues, and medico-legal issues; recommends alternative approaches or solutions; advocates on behalf of individual clients where cases are complex, lack jurisprudence or have a high media profile.
4. Presents Applications for Reconsideration before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board and coordinates the return of cases by the Federal Court of Canada to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.
5. Represents the Bureau on matters of interpretation before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board and on applications for judicial review before the Federal Court of Canada.

Knowledge of the Pension Act, New Veterans Charter, Veterans Review and Appeal Board Act, War Veterans Allowance Act, Department of Veterans Affairs Act, Interpretation Act, and related jurisprudence, as well as knowledge of administrative law and rules of evidence to plan and manage advocacy services, provide legal counsel, provide advice and expertise on cases, and represent clients throughout Veterans Review and Appeal Board processes. This knowledge is also required to bring questions of interpretation before the Federal Court.

Knowledge of the Public Service Employment Act, Financial Administration Act, Official Languages Act, Public Service Staff Relations Act and Access to Information and Privacy Act is required to manage advocate operations and ensure the confidentiality and privacy of employee and client information.

Knowledge of the principles of legal ethics and codes of professional conduct to lead and manage advocates and to provide legal services to clients of the Bureau.

Knowledge of medical principles, ethics, medical terminology, etiology and disease interrelationships, medico-legal practice with respect to personal injury and disability, and of related medical-legal issues, to assess legal risks and provide legal advice and direction to advocates and advice to clients.

Knowledge of the mandates, structure, policies, strategic direction and priorities, programs, and legal and operational policy contexts of the Bureau of Pension Advocates, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, and of key departments (Department of National Defence and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) to manage advocate services and contribute to the strategic direction of the Bureau of Pension Advocates.

Knowledge of the mandate, structure and priorities of veterans' organizations (e.g., Royal Canadian Legion) and the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman in order to consult on veterans' issues, and provide training on the Bureau's services, processes and issues.

Knowledge of business processes and operational management is required to develop operational plans, contribute to strategic planning and reviews of the Bureau, ensure financial management and control of budgets, and manage human resources.

Analyzes, identifies and establishes national operational priorities, plans and performance/accountability frameworks to guide advocate services and influence the organization's strategic direction. Defines and administers the accountability, monitoring and reporting frameworks to ensure activities are in accordance with established legislative regulatory and policy requirements; identifies areas of non-compliance and determines corrective action.

Analyzes cases and files from a national perspective, identifies trends, legal risks and implications for the Bureau and develops strategies and plans to manage broad or emerging issues, balance legal and business requirements, and address client legal needs.

Analyzes individual cases and files, identifies risks and issues; provides legal advice to advocates on diverse, controversial legal issues affecting clients; and identifies options and strategies to address those issues and minimize legal risk.

Identifies, analyzes and determines the implications of Veterans Review and Appeal Board decisions and the impact on client appeals and reviews and advises advocates and management of the implications. Develops new strategies and courses of action, novel arguments and approaches in the absence of jurisprudence or when cases break new ground.

Formulates and implements policies and procedures to improve client services on a national basis, in collaboration with the Director, Strategic Planning and Management Support.

Develops networks within Veterans Affairs Canada and among stakeholder groups (e.g., Veteran's Ombudsman, Royal Canadian Legion, private law societies) to increase understanding of issues and resolve problems.

Builds and manages a network of relationships within Veterans Affairs Canada, and represents the Bureau nationally and locally, with clients, veterans' organizations, the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, the Canadian Armed Forces, and other stakeholders and colleagues and utilizes persuasion and diplomacy in order to:

• increase understanding of legal and policy issues affecting client outcomes;
• identify opportunities to influence national policy or legal approaches;
• advocate changes to national policies and practices to improve client access to benefits and assessments to which they are entitled;
• coordinate approaches for the resolution of issues impacting the client;
• ensure the quality and consistency of service and advice; and
• provide expert advice on disability advocacy issues.

Participates as a member of the Senior Management Committee to influence the Bureau's strategic direction, priorities, corporate values and culture.

Directly manages the financial and human resources of the Appeal Unit and, through the Area Directors, the national advocacy resources of the Bureau, including:

• establishing human resources plans, setting work priorities, aligning team members and case files; monitoring and evaluating performance, recognizing achievements, resolving performance issues and supporting career development;
• fostering an environment that supports legal knowledge sharing, quality client service and good law practice behaviours;
• establishing financial plans and managing salary and O& M budgets;
• providing input to and supporting the Bureau's business plan, human resources plan and annual budget; and,
• providing review and guidance on legal issues.

Provides national direction, advice and guidance to Bureau advocates through the review of files to ensure quality and consistency of opinions and advice to clients. Identifies legal and policy issues and risks and provides advice to the Bureau's management.

Formulates and implements policies and procedures to improve client services on a national basis in conjunction with the Director, Strategic Planning and Management Support.

Regularly sits for long periods of time (with breaks) in order to review and revise documents and participate in appeal/review proceedings and meetings

Occasionally carries or moves/lifts items used in the support of the work, including, but not limited to, legal briefcases, boxes of files or legal texts.

Frequently views computer screens and reads and reviews documents for prolonged periods requiring extensive visual effort.

The work requires dealing with conflicting issues, multiple demands, time pressures, shifting priorities and deadlines, which may lead to a lack of control over one's agenda.

There is a requirement to provide advice on sensitive, complex and emotionally-driven and politically-charged issues, which may result in stress and fatigue.

Work is performed in a typical office environment.

There is some requirement to travel, resulting in jet lag and fatigue.

Organization Context and Position Summary

The Department of Justice has established dedicated departmental legal services units (DLSUs) for most government departments and agencies. DLSUs provide departments with legal advice and guidance to facilitate their operations and fulfill their mandates. Legal counsel of the DLSUs are employees of the Department of Justice, but are typically co-located within the client department's offices. Costs of legal services are negotiated through service agreements between the Department of Justice and the client department. Clients fund a portion of the costs for legal counsel and directly employ all non-legal staff of the DLSU.

The subject position is Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, responsible for the leadership, oversight and management of a large DLSU of the Department of Justice that provides legal services to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Agriculture Portfolio) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Health Portfolio).

Legal services are embedded within the client organizations at headquarters and within four regions (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, and Western Canada). The DLSU employs approximately 38 lawyers and 20 non-legal staff.

Duties

1. Leads and manages strategic and operational planning for the DLSU; monitors plans against stated objectives and reallocates resources to fulfil planned activities; oversees and manages DLSU financial and human resources; ensures strategic and operational coordination and integration of client, Department of Justice and government-wide objectives, priorities and initiatives.
2. Negotiates with clients, on an annual basis, resource levels and service agreements for the provision of national, integrated legal services and advice.
3. Oversees and manages advisory and litigation services in all areas of law affecting the clients' regulatory mandate, programs and corporate affairs. Provides leadership and oversight in the identification, analysis and management of clients' legal risks. Consults with counterparts or subject matter specialists at the Department of Justice on legal and risk management issues with a view to developing common legal positions for the Government of Canada.
4. Acts as principal legal advisor to clients, their respective Ministers, Deputy Ministers or equivalents, and executive teams.
5. Participates as a member of the Department of Justice, Business and Regulatory Law portfolio executive team and as a member of the clients' executive teams to ensure strategic consideration and coordination of legal and management issues.

Primary knowledge of, and expertise in, regulatory, commercial, crown and administrative law and the program legislation of clients to provide advice to clients' executive management (up to and including the Deputy Minister or equivalent) and Ministers on legal cases, issues and risks. This knowledge is also required to oversee and manage the work of legal services staff of the DLSU.

Knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies, programs, plans, operational realities and legal contexts of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Department of Justice to manage a large DLSU; to serve as the executive-level intermediary between the client organizations and the Department of Justice on strategic issues; to develop and manage strategic plans and services; and to provide advice to clients and the Department of Justice on legal issues and risks.

Knowledge of the structure, organization, policies and programs of the Department of Justice, client departments and agencies, and the stakeholders of clients, including regulated parties, industry, unions, private sector lawyers, other levels of government and international organizations, to build and maintain relationships, exchange information, and identify, discuss and resolve issues.

Knowledge of strategic and operational planning to develop and implement integrated plans that balance and meet the priorities and objectives of clients, the Department of Justice and the Government of Canada.

Knowledge of broad Government of Canada priorities and objectives (e.g., business transformation, legislative reform, change management) to contribute to these priorities at a corporate level and at an operational level within the DLSU as a senior member of the Business and Regulatory Law portfolio executive team.

Knowledge of human resources and financial management to plan and manage the delivery of legal services across multiple departments and agencies and within a decentralized service delivery framework.

Analyzes and integrates Government of Canada, Department of Justice, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food goals, objectives and business plans to develop strategic and operational plans of the DLSU which provides services across multiple areas of the law (e.g., regulatory law, public law, administrative law, commercial law, employment law) to: contribute to the Business and Regulatory Law portfolio, the Department of Justice and government initiatives; identify financial and human resource requirements; and, negotiate resources and service levels.

Analyzes client issues and serves as an executive level intermediary between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Business and Regulatory Law portfolio of the Department of Justice on strategic legal issues, and ensures strategic and operational coordination and integration of client, Department of Justice and government-wide objectives, priorities and initiatives.

Analyzes legal issues within the broader social, economic and regulatory contexts in which clients operate; identifies emerging trends in the law, and complex legal issues affecting clients' mandates, programs, operations and regulatory frameworks; assesses legal risks and develops mitigation strategies; and, provides expert legal advice to client and Department of Justice executive management on broader legal, policy and risk management issues.

In collaboration with the DLSU management team, establishes and maintains relationships with senior Department of Justice management to: identify and manage strategic and operational issues affecting the provision of legal services, legal advice and the assessment of legal risks; contribute to strategic, business and operational priorities and plans; and, negotiate service agreements.

There is a requirement to establish working relationships within the Department of Justice and client organizations, and with stakeholders of clients, including regulated parties, industry, unions, private sector lawyers, other levels of government and international organizations. These relationships are established for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: exchanging information on legal or management issues; identifying, discussing and resolving legal issues; influencing, persuading and leveraging legal outcomes; influencing legal policy positions; and, negotiating agreements.

There is a requirement to participate on departmental and interdepartmental committees; and to provide input and advice on legal or other corporate initiatives and priorities such as strategic reviews or government-wide priorities.

Responsible for the strategic and operational planning and management of a large, decentralized DLSU that provides legal services (advisory, litigation, support for legislative drafting, and representation before an administrative tribunal) on regulatory, commercial and corporate issues across multiple areas of law to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Facilitates and coordinates legal services (e.g., litigation, advisory and legislative drafting) provided by other specialty areas of the Department of Justice.

As principal legal advisor to clients, is directly responsible for ensuring strategic consideration and coordination of legal issues and for providing input to clients' strategic and operational initiatives, issues and decision making through the provision of legal and risk management advice and guidance.

As a member of the senior management team within the Business and Regulatory Law branch of the Department of Justice, contributes to strategic, operational and change management initiatives in support of departmental and broad Government of Canada initiatives and priorities.

Responsible for ensuring that the goals, priorities and objectives of each client department/agency and the Department of Justice are balanced and integrated to meet objectives and priorities.

Oversees and manages financial and human resources and the work of legal counsel, paralegals and administrative staff at Headquarters and in the regions through subordinate legal and administrative managers and senior legal practitioners. Ensures that the DLSU has the capacity to meet the legal services requirements set out in service agreements and plans.

Regularly sits for prolonged periods of time during meetings, negotiations, consultations and document reviews or when conducting legal analysis.

Occasionally carries or moves/lifts items used in the support of the work, including, but not limited to, legal briefcases, boxes of files or legal texts.

Regularly views computer screens (including tablets and BB) and reads and reviews documents for prolonged periods, requiring extensive visual effort.

There is lack of control over schedule due to conflicting demands, time pressures, and shifting priorities and deadlines.

There is a requirement to travel and work overtime which has an impact on home life.

There is a requirement to establish effective outcomes with challenging or difficult employees, clients, opposing counsel or others.

The work is performed in a typical office environment

There is a requirement to travel, resulting in jet lag and fatigue.

Organization Context and Position Summary

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada is a federal organization responsible for prosecuting offences that fall within federal jurisdiction and providing prosecution related legal advice to law enforcement agencies. The Public Prosecutions Service of Canada prosecute persons who contravene federal laws on such matters as controlled drugs, proceeds of crime, contraband goods, the security of the border and the immigration laws. In addition, regulatory and public welfare offences are prosecuted such as, evasion of taxes and of customs duties, copyright infringement, and environmental protection laws.

The Ontario regional office employs over 180 legal, paralegal and other staff. Counsel operate in courts in Toronto, Brampton, Kitchener and London and may also serve in other courts within the sphere of the office in southern Ontario. In addition to counsel on staff, there are many counsel throughout the region who are on contract and serve as prosecution agents in these communities. Counsel litigate in the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Superior Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada. Occasionally, counsel can also appear in the Federal Court of Canada.

Public Prosecution Service of Canada work closely with various police forces and investigatory agencies including the RCMP, the OPP, the Toronto Police Service, the Canada Revenue Agency, the Canada Border Service Agency in addition to the police agencies in the various municipalities throughout southern Ontario.

The subject position leads and manages the Ontario regional office in the provision of a full range of consultative services and the promotion of a consistent approach to prosecutorial services at the federal level across the country.

Duties

1. Manages the development and implementation of balanced, integrated, strategic and operational priorities and plans for the region; ensures alignment with the department's business direction, priorities and plans; contributes to the development and management of the departmental strategic national direction through leadership and participation on departmental committees.
2. Manages human resources (employees and Crown agents who are on contract) and, financial plans and budgets; balances and integrates multiple service delivery activities including prosecution services related to trials; manages the cost recovery of regulatory prosecutions involving federal government departments and agencies and the provision of legal advice to their investigative staff.
3. Oversees all legal work performed by the region, including the preparation of opinions and advice, briefings and correspondence for senior officials and all levels of court, and the review of legal documents; ensures the quality of legal opinions and advice and consistency with the overall national approach for federal prosecution services and appeals.
4. Provides direction and authoritative strategic legal advice to resolve prosecution issues that may be precedent setting and may have Charter or legislative implications; develops options and strategies to address challenges and the availability of resources.
5. Analyzes legal issues and judicial decisions; conducts risk analyses of broad reaching, precedent setting issues and facilitates the resolution of major, complex, diverse and controversial issues that have national impacts.
6. Directs and monitors the provision of prosecution services, litigation files and legal advice provided to investigative agencies and other departments in order to identify issues, trends or alternative solutions and ensure national consistency with the department's approach for federal prosecution services and appeals.

Knowledge of the respective mandates, policies and programs of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General of Canada in legal matters; knowledge of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act and the shared federal-provincial jurisdictional responsibilities over the administration of criminal law matters in order to provide for the cohesive delivery of prosecutorial services for the region and ensure consistency and alignment with the department's national approach for federal prosecution services and appeals.

Knowledge of the Constitution of Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian federal laws and statutes including domains of the law which are regulated exclusively by Parliament and disputes between provinces, such as interprovincial transport as well as interprovincial trade and commerce. This knowledge is required to lead and manage the regional office in the provision of prosecution services, to oversee the conduct of all cases for the region, to provide balanced and integrated legal and risk management advice to crown counsel, and to represent the Crown in cases and appeals. This knowledge is also required to gauge the impact of prosecutions on jurisprudence and the comprehensive impacts on both the public and broader legal and governmental environments.

Knowledge of theories, principles and practices associated with the federal, provincial and territorial laws relevant to prosecutions, and how the laws interact and their impact on the operations of the department; compliance and enforcement policies developed by various departments and agencies responsible for underlying legislation, as well as an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of intergovernmental and investigative agencies (e.g.: Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police forces) and the consequent challenges in developing strategic and operational priorities and plans for the region in order to serve the interests of the public to continuously promote a consistent approach to the provision of prosecution services and legal advice at the federal, national level.

Understanding of the respective mandates, objectives, strategies, policies, programs, plans and operational realities of the department, the region, the various investigative agencies, partners, stakeholders and centres of expertise, as well as operational service providers in order to navigate the various interrelationships among interests and jurisdictions to properly align the delivery of the region's strategic and operational management of prosecution services and advice.

Knowledge of strategic, operational and risk management as well as planning and priority setting in order to align, balance and integrate program priorities and activities across the broad spectrum of prosecutions under more than 40 federal statutes (e.g., drug, organised crime, federal offences to protect the environment, natural resources, economic and social health), and to promote a fair and effective justice system focused on the provision of expert consultative services for the region and also on a national federal level.

Knowledge of financial management forecasting, budget development and reporting in order to integrate the regional financial resources and requirements with those of headquarters as well as manage the region's finances. Knowledge of human resources management in order to plan, organize and manage the resources of the regional office.

Analyzes and integrates broad departmental goals and strategies with regional strategies; monitors, analyzes and adjusts the management and delivery of prosecution services for the region with fluctuating operational requirements; develops integrated regional operational plans for human resources and information management and technology that are aligned with organizational strategies; develops proposals to obtain additional funding or to reallocate resources for the region.

Explores a variety of legal issues, decisions and trends that are primarily strategic in nature and may involve multiple areas of law (e.g., prosecution of youth, national security and terrorism, drug, regulatory or economic prosecutions, and criminal code offences), multiple investigative agencies, and competing prosecution priorities and resources, to develop strategies that may be precedent setting and have national implications. Decisions and recommendations influence the Government's position on federal prosecutions, the body of related case law, and the businesses, individuals and Canadians impacted by these cases.

Analyzes case facts, jurisprudence and case law to provide strategic legal analysis, advice, guidance and risk management for Crown counsel on major, complex, diverse and at times, controversial prosecution files. Synthesises and balances a variety of competing inputs to direct and manage the legal strategy for the region which carries national and international implications on precedent setting jurisprudence. Provides briefs, direction and advice, mitigation strategies, alternative approaches and identifies broader horizontal interests and impacts of legal advice; identifies linkages and implications for other regional offices and the broader departmental context. As Chief Federal Prosecutor, makes recommendations regarding the approval of any intervention made on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions in any court.

Develops and integrates management frameworks, strategies, business, financial and operational plans, determines both the operational and the strategic direction for the region and establishes priorities for multiple executive public service management accountabilities.

Weighs and assesses the impact of new or proposed corporate policies and procedures on the region's operations in order to provide headquarters with a regional perspective and develop solutions for their implementation in order to ensure national consistency of departmental operations.

Continuously improves the rigour of the department's internal prosecutorial policies and procedures by making recommendations regarding confidential advice to federal prosecutors and reviewing proposed confidential advice directives.

Contributes to national litigation by making recommendations regarding applications for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada; making comments and providing input regarding factums to be filed in the Supreme Court of Canada on behalf of the Attorney General of Canada in matters of interest to the Director of Public Prosecutions; makes recommendations on approval of factums to be filed in the Supreme Court of Canada; and provides advice to the Director of Public Prosecutions on any legal issue of interest in the region.

Contributes to national advisory committees by approving prosecution plans for mega-cases of national importance, monitors emerging trends in the federal prosecution practice and makes recommendations on how the department should adjust to such trends; ensures consistency of approaches throughout the country; and identifies regional practices or approaches that may be of national interest and makes recommendations for their broader diffusion.

Builds and manages a network of senior and executive level relationships:

• externally with provincial and territorial governments, investigative agencies, associations, bar societies, educational institutions and public and private organizations to develop joint strategies and facilitate the achievement of departmental objectives, programs and initiatives;
• internally to ensure alignment of plans, operations, and approaches with overall national strategy to facilitate the resolution of major, complex, diverse and controversial issues and sensitive situations which may have a national impact and could be precedent setting.

Participates in national, interdepartmental and departmental committees to influence and/or make decisions impacting the region and the department.

Establishes and leverages an extensive network of relationships, with investigative agencies and officials from other levels of government, to promote departmental objectives; develop strategies to improve and harmonize the delivery of regional prosecution services and legal advice.

Leverages an extensive network of relationships with provincial and territorial governments, investigative agencies, and officials from other levels of government to anticipate legal and operational issues and trends on major, complex and sensitive cases in order to influence the approach to the resolution of such issues.

As Chief Federal Prosecutor, for all prosecutions regarding national security (e.g., terrorism, espionage, war crimes or a crime against humanity), recommends commencement of proceedings and ensures the preparation of a legal memorandum to the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions seeking endorsement to commence legal proceedings.

Provides authoritative advice on the potential legal and business risks associated with the prosecution of major, complex and sensitive cases and influences and coordinates approaches for the resolution of these issues.

Contributes to departmental strategic plans; determines and implements the vision, business direction, operational objectives, priorities and plans for the region; provides advice and guidance to investigative agencies to ensure coordinated, integrated delivery of prosecution services.

Participates in and contributes to the establishment and management of the national direction of the department as a whole through leadership and participation on various national executive committees, such as the Executive Council, the Management Resources Committee and the Information Technology Committee.

Synthesizes and analyses information from within the region and from headquarters related to anticipated workloads and resource projections/allocations; performs risk assessments and develops and integrates work plans to obtain additional funding or reallocate resources.

Manages the regional budgets and financial plans; contributes to and supports the departmental business plan and strategic performance reviews. Develops and implements the regional's human resources plan; establishes work priorities; monitors and evaluates performance; fosters an open, diverse and multicultural environment that reinforces and encourages career and leadership development; provides advice, coaching, mentoring or guidance to staff, investigative agencies and interdepartmental and intergovernmental colleagues; ensures compliance with departmental law practice management objectives and requirements.

Leads and manages prosecution services mostly through two subordinate Associate Chief Federal Prosecutors on issues ranging from prohibited drug prosecutions including organized crime groups, to anti-terrorism and regulatory prosecutions.

Responsible for over 180 staff and has 16 direct reports which includes law managers, law practitioners, paralegals and administrative positions, in addition to 118 contracted crown agents. Also oversees the prosecution work of several teams which primarily prosecute drug and other contraband importers.

Provides leadership in the region's legal work including, providing review and guidance on complex legal issues and opinions, reviewing legal documents, briefings and correspondence prepared for or reviewed by senior officials, which may have national implications; monitors legal risks in the region, including financial risks, clarifies the content of objectives and policies, and ensures conformity with the rule of law, statutes and federal government objectives.

There is a requirement to regularly sit for prolonged periods of time during meetings, negotiations and consultations.

There is a requirement to occasionally carry or move/lift items used in the support of the work, including but not limited to, legal briefcases, boxes of files or legal texts.

There is a requirement to regularly view computer screens for prolonged periods and regularly reads for prolonged periods numerous documents.

The work involves significant lack of control over one's agenda, controversial, litigious and conflicting issues and priorities, multiple demands, confrontations, time pressures, shifting priorities and deadlines.

The work may involve exposure to difficult fact situations and may lead to viewing graphic material (i.e., crime scene photos) that may impact upon psychological wellbeing.

The work involves exposure to highly charged public and media environments when prosecuting cases, and there is the risk of being subject to physical and psychological intimidation, openly or disguised, personal attacks or becoming a personal target that may endanger one's safety or that of one's family from hostile parties aimed at destabilizing prosecution cases.

There is a requirement to travel and work overtime, often during weekend and holiday periods, with resulting impact on home life.

Work is regularly performed in an office or courtroom environment.

Prosecutions are subject to public and media scrutiny, which includes occasional demonstrations by the general public.

There is a frequent requirement to travel for meetings, which may be over long distances resulting in jetlag and fatigue.

Organization Context and Position Summary

The Public Law sector of the Department of Justice Canada is comprised of the office of the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), the Business Administration centre and six specialized legal advisory and policy sections with expertise in: 1) human rights law and policy; 2) constitutional, administrative and international law and policy; 3) information and privacy law and policy; 4) official languages law and policy; 5) judicial affairs, courts and tribunal policy; and, 6) international trade law.

The Public Law sector provides legal and policy advice to the Department of Justice and across the federal government.

Provides national leadership, oversight and management of the Public Law sector within the Department of Justice and is responsible for joint oversight and management with Global Affairs Canada of the Trade Law Bureau. The Trade Law Bureau is responsible for providing the Government of Canada with legal representation and advice concerning international trade and investment law.

Duties

1. Sets and oversees the national vision, strategic direction, priorities and change strategies of the Public Law sector of the Department of Justice, ensuring consistency with the priorities and objectives of the Government of Canada. Oversees the development and implementation of strategic and business plans, and the management of financial and human resources of the sector.
2. Leads, oversees and manages the legal services and policy activities of the six specialized legal advisory and policy sections, each one a departmental centre of legal expertise which provides legal and policy advice and guidance to the Department of Justice and the federal government.
3. Provides oversight, legal advice and guidance to sector management and counsel, and provides functional direction and advice to client departments and other stakeholders across government on a range of broad-reaching strategic, risk management and legal issues within public law.
4. As principal legal advisor on public law sector issues, explains and defends policy and legal positions, and provides legal and policy advice to the Deputy Minister, the Minister, the Privy Council Office, Cabinet and Cabinet Committees.
5. Jointly manages the Trade Law Bureau with Global Affairs Canada.

Knowledge of constitutional law, Crown law, administrative law, public international law, international private law, official languages law, human rights law, informational and privacy law, and international trade and investment law to provide strategic oversight, direction, management and legal expertise to six highly specialized centres of legal expertise that provide advice and guidance to the Department of Justice and to clients across the Government of Canada.

Knowledge of judicial affairs, courts and tribunal policy to fulfill the sector's specialized legal advisory role and policy function on all matters relating to the Canadian judiciary and the courts.

Knowledge of the priorities and objectives of the Government of Canada, its legal, administrative and governance structures to: serve as the Department's principal advisor on public law; manage a diverse sector and its resources; and, work within government to influence the strategic directions of the Public Law sector and its areas of legal expertise.

Knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies, programs, plans, operational realities and legal contexts of the Department of Justice to manage a large, diversified sector in the provision of integrated legal and policy advice and risk assessment to the Department and clients across the Government of Canada.

Knowledge of the structure, organization, policies and programs of the Department of Justice, client departments and agencies, and stakeholders of clients including regulated parties, industry, other levels of government and international organizations to build and maintain relationships, exchange information and identify, discuss and resolve issues on a wide variety of legal and policy issues and shape the overall development of public law.

Knowledge of strategic and operational planning to develop and implement integrated plans that balance and meet the priorities and objectives of clients, the Department of Justice and the Government of Canada.

Knowledge of broad Government of Canada priorities and objectives (e.g., business transformation, legislative reform, change management) to contribute to departmental strategies and to implement these priorities at the sector level as a senior member of the Department of Justice executive team.

Knowledge of human resources and financial management to plan and manage the delivery of legal services across multiple areas of expertise.

Anticipates, monitors and analyzes the national, strategic, business and legal implications and risks of proposals and/or changes in legislation and government-wide priorities, initiatives and directions in order to frame strategies, plans and responses from the perspective of the Public Law sector and the Department of Justice.

Oversees and manages the delivery of legal and policy services for diverse areas of law to clients within the Department of Justice and across government. The work of the sector impacts on the development of constitutional, human rights, international and trade law, government-wide social policies, programs, and governance structures, and national and international laws and negotiated instruments.

As principal legal advisor on public law issues, analyzes, explains and defends strategic policy and legal positions and risks, and provides related advice to the Deputy Minister, the Minister, the Privy Council Office, Cabinet and Cabinet Committees.

Gathers and analyzes information from key program, departmental, and other sources, and through the development of strategic relationships within and outside government. Develops strategies to shape the overall development of public law and to influence legal and policy positions with respect to the sector's areas of expertise.

Analyzes resourcing and sector capacity requirements to meet planned needs and develops financial and human resources plans to meet diverse demands for legal services across multiple areas of expertise.

Cultivates and leverages an extensive network of key strategic relationships and alliances on behalf of the Department of Justice within and outside the government and internationally to:

• shape overall development of public law, and influence legal and policy positions with respect to areas of the sector's legal expertise;
• provide briefings and strategic legal advice and services to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada or other ministers, and to the most senior officials of departments, agencies or the Privy Council Office on highly sensitive and public profile matters, influencing the Cabinet agenda and shaping the development of the law;
• persuade senior government officials of the appropriateness of legal positions and policies;
• contribute to and support public service-wide priorities/initiatives; and
• identify and anticipate strategic, legal, operational and policy issues relating to major, complex, diverse and/or controversial matters that affect clients, in order to coordinate and influence the approach to resolving issues, anticipate demand for legal services, and influence clients' funding priorities for the business line.

Advises departmental executive management on the potential legal and business risks inherent in current or proposed departmental policies, processes, and programs in order to minimize these risks and influence the development of departmental priorities and management objectives.

Builds strong working relationships with counterparts at Global Affairs Canada to jointly manage the services and activities of the Trade Law Bureau.

Contributes to the vision and strategic direction of the Department of Justice as a whole. Leads capacity-building and change management initiatives to meet evolving demands of the sector, the Department of Justice and the Government of Canada.

Plans, manages and leads the development of the vision, priorities, national strategies and objectives for the Public Law sector, ensuring they are integrated with and reflect the Department of Justice and Government of Canada priorities and plans.

Responsible for ensuring strategic consideration, coordination and integration of legal issues within and across practice areas and for providing input to strategic and operational initiatives, issues and decision-making through the provision of legal and risk management advice and guidance.

Oversees and manages the work of law managers, law practitioners, paralegals and administrative staff at Headquarters and the Trade Law Bureau. Ensures that the sector has the capacity to meet the legal services requirements set out in the Department of Justice and Government of Canada plans.

Responsible for the financial management of resources to meet stated plans.

Regularly sits for prolonged periods during meetings, negotiations, consultations and document reviews or when conducting legal analysis.

Occasionally carries or moves/lifts items used in support of the work, including but not limited to legal briefcases, boxes of files, or legal texts.

Regularly views computer screens and reads and reviews documents for prolonged periods, requiring extensive visual effort.

Significant lack of control over own schedule, conflicting issues and parties, multiple demands, time pressures, and shifting priorities and deadlines.

There is a regular requirement to travel and work overtime, often during weekend and holiday periods, which has an impact on home life.

The work is performed in a highly political and sensitive environment that involves conflicting issues and confrontations, and requires the management of simultaneous and conflicting priorities.

Work is performed in a typical office environment.

There is a regular requirement to travel, resulting in jetlag and fatigue.

Organization Context and Position Summary

The Litigation branch of the Department of Justice has oversight of and functional, nation-wide responsibility for civil litigation for the Government of Canada. The Branch supports the Government of Canada, mitigates risks and manages the law before, during or as a result of litigation. The Branch is also responsible for providing legal advice on extradition, mutual legal assistance requests and related legislation, as well as national security litigation and coordination. In addition, the Branch exercises broad responsibilities for the procurement and contracting of outside legal services and the appointment of Legal Agents for the government as a whole.

The Litigation branch structure comprises seven areas: Office of the Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Civil Litigation, Class Actions and Mass Litigation unit, National Security Group, International Assistance Group, Litigation Practice Management Centre and National eDiscovery and Litigation Support Services.

The subject position provides national leadership, oversight and strategic management of the Litigation branch within the Department of Justice.

Duties

1. Sets and oversees the national vision, strategic direction, priorities and change strategies of the Litigation branch of the Department of Justice, ensuring consistency with the priorities and objectives of the Government of Canada. Oversees the development and implementation of strategic and business plans, and of the financial and human resources of the Branch.
2. Chairs the National Litigation Committee and the Supreme Court of Canada Committee, and oversees all government litigation in the Supreme Court of Canada.
3. Provides national functional direction and guidance of decentralized litigation services across Canada (with the exception of criminal prosecutions and tax litigation) and ensures consistency of approach of litigation by or against the Crown.
4. Oversees the provision of legal advice on national security litigation, extradition, mutual legal assistance requests and related legislation.
5. As principal legal advisor on litigation issues, explains and defends policy and legal positions and provides legal and policy advice to the Deputy Attorney General, the Attorney General, the Privy Council Office, Cabinet and Cabinet Committees, and provides oversight, advice and guidance to Branch management and counsel.
6. Oversees the Agent Affairs Program that is responsible for the outsourcing of legal work through the appointment and management of legal agents (i.e., private law practitioners appointed by the Crown).

The work requires knowledge of diverse areas of the law including civil/tort law, common law, Crown law, procedural law, and administrative law in order to provide strategic leadership, oversight and advice to the Department of Justice regarding civil and class action litigation, extradition, and laws governing national security. This knowledge is also required to understand the impact of litigation activities and outcomes on the government's broader legal, social and political directions, and to provide strategic advice to the Deputy Attorney General and the Attorney General.

Knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies, programs, plans and operational realities of the Department of Justice, the Litigation branch, other departmental portfolios, Department of Justice stakeholders and centres of expertise, regional offices and DLSUs, including their inter-relationships and governance mechanisms, in order to structure and align litigation services to meet requirements and to provide functional direction on litigation across the Department.

Knowledge of the Government of Canada's strategic directions and priorities and its influence on the law in order to understand and anticipate the impacts that litigation outcomes and Supreme Court Appeals have on the direction of the law and achieving the Government's strategic objectives.

Knowledge of legal advisory, litigation, legislative or policy services, including legal risk management and the role of law and its comprehensive impacts across government and society in order to lead and oversee Branch legal services and activities.

Knowledge of strategic and operational planning, financial and human resources, materiel, information and technology management to oversee the resources of the Branch and a national program for contracting with legal agents.

Knowledge of change management concepts and techniques to adapt organizational structures and operational procedures/practices to the requirements of an ever-evolving environment, affected regularly by the advent of new legislation, trend-setting court judgments and major government initiatives.

Anticipates, monitors and analyzes the strategic, business and legal implications of proposals and/or changes in legislation and government-wide initiatives, strategies and directions in order to contribute to the Department of Justice strategies, plans and responses and frame Branch strategies and responses.

Provides functional direction and advice on litigation to client departments and other stakeholders on a range of complex, politically sensitive and controversial issues that have broad-reaching impacts on the government in order to develop strategies, resolve disputes, issues and concerns, manage risk, and mitigate impacts on government policy, administration, or social policy.

Anticipates, monitors and analyzes the government's requirements for the provision of legal services, in order to develop a consistent national framework for the delivery of Branch services and establish and implement legal services standards, legal and business risk management, and law practice management standards for litigation.

Establishes, analyzes, and interprets the Department's position, from the Litigation branch's perspective, on high impact, cross-cutting, unprecedented or highly political legal disputes and problems, or on matters being considered by Cabinet Committees, in order to advance and defend the departmental legal position with Cabinet Committees, client groups, and other stakeholders.

Oversees litigation for the high profile, complex files involving major risks, such as financial implications for the Crown or a significant impact on government policy or administration, and typically involving the development and implementation of highly sophisticated advisory/litigation strategy.

Monitors litigation cases nationally and identifies salient issues, inherent risk factors and level of involvement required of the sector and senior officials of client/stakeholder departments and agencies.

Establishes and leverages an extensive network of key strategic relationships and alliances on behalf of the Department within and outside the government and internationally to:

• shape overall development of litigation, and influence legal and policy positions;
• provide briefings and strategic legal advice and services to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada or other ministers, and to the most senior officials of departments, agencies or the Privy Council Office on highly sensitive and public matters, influencing the Cabinet agenda and shaping the development of the law;
• persuade senior government officials of the appropriateness of legal positions and policies;
• contribute to and support public service-wide priorities/initiatives; and
• identify and anticipate strategic, legal, operational and policy issues relating to major, complex, diverse and/or controversial matters that affect clients in order to coordinate and influence the approach to resolving the issues, anticipate demand for legal services, and influence clients' funding priorities for the business line.

Advises departmental executive management on the potential legal and business risks inherent in current or proposed departmental policies, processes, and programs, in order to minimize these risks and influence the development of departmental priorities and management objectives.

As a member of the executive team, contributes to the vision and strategic direction of the Department of Justice as a whole. Leads capacity-building and change management initiatives to meet evolving demands of the Branch, the Department of Justice and the Government of Canada.

Plans, oversees and leads the development of the vision, priorities, national strategies and objectives for the Litigation branch, ensuring they are integrated with and reflect the Department of Justice and Government of Canada priorities and plans.

Chairs the National Litigation Committee and the Supreme Court of Canada Committee to ensure that: the Government of Canada's interests are properly represented in legal proceedings; consistent legal positions are adopted; the Attorney General acts as a model litigant; necessary consultations across government are undertaken; legal risk is managed appropriately; and, sound advice is provided to the Minister and Deputy Minister in significant litigation.

Provides functional direction, guidance and advice to litigators across seven regions to ensure appropriate levels of strategic coordination and the consistency of direction across the more than 45,000 litigation files in process during any given fiscal year, and to manage risks.

Oversees and manages the work of law managers and law practitioners. Ensures that the Branch has the capacity to meet the legal services requirements set out in departmental and Government of Canada plans.

Responsible for the financial management of resources to meet stated short- and long-term plans.

Regularly sits for prolonged periods during meetings, negotiations, consultations, and document reviews or when conducting legal analysis.

Occasionally carries or moves/lifts items used in support of the work, including but not limited to legal briefcases, boxes of files or legal texts.

Regularly views computer screens and reads and reviews documents for prolonged periods, requiring extensive visual effort.

Significant lack of control over own schedule, conflicting issues and parties, multiple demands, time pressures, and shifting priorities and deadlines.

There is a regular requirement to travel and work overtime, often during weekend and holiday periods, having an impact on home life.

The work is performed in a highly political and sensitive environment that involves conflicting issues and confrontations, and requires the management of simultaneous and conflicting priorities.

Work is performed in a typical office environment.

There is a regular requirement to travel, resulting in jetlag and fatigue.

Context

The guidelines of each element are designed to assist evaluators understand the spirit and intent behind each individual element, as well as, the job evaluation standard as a whole. This information will help evaluators understand each element as it relates to the job, select the most appropriate ratings, and will ensure consistency in the interpretation and application of the standard. That being said, this document alone is not intended to replace any training for classification advisors.

For all components of the job evaluation standard and these guidelines, context is critical. Words and language should never be interpreted in isolation of their overall context.

It is critical for evaluators to understand the full context of a given job both as part of the organizational design/structure within which it sits, as well as within the context of the full law practitioner group across government. LC work covers jobs at the Manager, Director, Director General and Assistant Deputy Minister or equivalent levels. For the most part, jobs at the higher levels of this spectrum of work will be found in larger more complex legal business units and operations typically characteristic of the Department of Justice and Public Prosecution Service of Canada organizations. This broader CPA context understanding is of particular challenge to smaller organizations housing small legal units, since they may not necessarily have access to understanding the broader spectrum of LC work.

The context challenge is to understand that scope and complexity of a department's operational business will impact the complexity and scope of legal matters managed by the legal unit, in turn affecting the relative value level of the management job. While there will likely be breadth in the legal issues from employment law, to contracts and agreements, to legal opinions on policy direction, the complexity and impact tends to remain at the operational level when compared to higher levels of LC work that exist in organizations like the Department of Justice and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada whose primary business is the law and the management of the law. The levels of LC work and management challenges that come with their businesses will far outreach that which resides in a smaller unit in other Departments and Agencies across Government and must be understood and considered in evaluating work across the whole of government.

A Suggested Evaluation Approach

Each element contains a number of degrees that describe the various levels at which an aspect of work is present in Law Management jobs. It is important to read all of the degrees for each element, along with all of the guidelines and the benchmarks contained in the job evaluation standard before selecting the rating which best describes the level at which the job is required to operate. It is also important to remember that the whole degree statement must apply, not the selection of individual specific phrases or words. Only one degree for each element is selected.

In selecting the most appropriate degree, remember to apply the guiding principles of work description writing and evaluation:

• Jobs not People
  • Recognition of an individual incumbent's performance or achievements is not captured under classification.
• Consider only typical ongoing job responsibilities of the assigned work
  • Do not consider exceptional, one-time circumstances or those developmental or stretch opportunities that are often provided to employees that enable them to perform responsibilities that are above and beyond their substantive job.
• Select the statement that best describes the highest level of responsibility at which the job is typically expected to work and that best represents a significant part of the ongoing responsibilities of the job.

Below is a suggested evaluation sequence for using the LC job evaluation standard, based on the natural structure of both the LC work and the supporting job evaluation standard.

When examining Management structures in any organization, there is a strong correlation between the scope of the organization being managed (including, size, diversity of business operation, span of control, risk and impact) and the corresponding complexity in the management responsibility. Further, the complexity of the management challenges and responsibilities in the work allows us to understand the corresponding level of knowledge, critical thinking and influencing skills required to execute these responsibilities. This correlation in the work design is reflected in the job evaluation standard and must be understood holistically. With that premise, we suggest the following evaluation sequence:

• Element 4: Leadership and Management
• Element 2: Critical Thinking and Analysis
• Element 1: Knowledge
• Element 3: Relationship Building and Influencing
• Element 5: Physical and Sensory Effort
• Element 6: Work Environment

The rationale for this suggested evaluation sequence is as follows:

1. The Leadership and Management element is the cornerstone to the entire job evaluation standard in that it speaks directly to the foundation of the management structures that underpin the 4 levels of management in the LC group, as well as the organizational scope and context that differentiates the complexity in management accountability from first level manager to Director, Director General, and finally to ADM level.
2. While it can be argued that all management jobs are required to perform the same type of tasks (i.e., planning and managing people and financial resources in the delivery of work), as with management structures in most organizations, scope and size of the work-unit provides a good proxy for the complexity of management issues present in the work, i.e., an increase in scope, span of control, number of people, subordinate management structures, etc. leads to an increase in complexity of management accountability and challenge in the work as we move from first level manager to most senior executive roles.
3. The Critical Thinking and Analysis element builds on this foundation of scope and complexity by considering the corresponding increase in complexity of both management and legal issues inherent in the work as law manager roles increase in scope. This leads to an increasing level of critical thinking and judgment required to manage these issues.
4. When rating the Knowledge element, the key question is always "what degree of knowledge is required to perform the assigned work responsibilities?" By evaluating the two above mentioned elements first, this will provide a combined understanding that will assist evaluators in understanding the complexity of issues encountered in LC work and the scope and challenge of management accountability. This understanding then supports assigning the appropriate knowledge rating.
5. Relationship Building and Influencing speaks to the requirement of LC jobs to perform work across and outside of formal organizational structures in order to advance priorities and facilitate the accomplishment of the work. The organizational scope of LC structures facilitates a clearer understanding of purpose and complexity in this element. For example, the need to build networks and exercise influence is lower when scope is focused on day-to-day operational legal service delivery. As the scope of management accountability grows, the "What" that needs to be accomplished correlates to higher level strategic relationships and higher level, broader risk and impact.

Together, these four elements describe the essence of LC work.

Each of these four key elements is highly inter-related in their measurement of LC work. This means that when the duties of a job require a certain level of responsibility, this will very clearly require a proportionate level of skill and knowledge. Therefore, with the design of LC work and its corresponding LC rating plan, one would not logically predict significant variability in rating patterns across key elements.

The four key elements are designed as a "single continuum of value" from low to high representing the degree to which a given aspect of work is present in jobs. Each of these elements is a cumulative progression or "pyramid" style element. A rating at a higher degree assumes that the skill described in the lower degrees is already included.

We suggest that after evaluating work on an element by element basis, evaluators go back and review the ratings and the degree descriptors horizontally, to ensure that there is cohesion in the overall evaluation.

Unlike these four elements, elements 5 and 6 can be evaluated on their own merits, in any sequence.