Job offer | NAWL is hiring a Staff Lawyer / Feminist Lawyer and Researcher

JOB OFFER

Staff Lawyer / Feminist Lawyer and Researcher

About us

The National Association of Women and the Law is an award-winning organization dedicated to advancing women’s rights in Canada through feminist law reform advocacy.

Since its creation over 50 years ago, NAWL has had a major role in achieving significant milestones for women’s rights, including in the areas of criminal, family, health and constitutional law.

Job summary

The Staff Lawyer is an integral member of NAWL’s legal team and plays a key role in advancing NAWL’s feminist law reform mission. Reporting to the Director of Legal Affairs, the Staff Lawyer conducts legal research and analysis, contributes to advocacy efforts, and supports grant writing and communications.

This is a full-time, one-year contract position with an anticipated start date of April 1, 2026, and an anticipated end date of March 31, 2027, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding.

NAWL’s office is located in Ottawa, Ontario, on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. We operate on a four-day work week, with two in-office days. Remote arrangements may be considered for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research and prepare briefs and memos on current and emerging law reform issues
• Engage and consult with experts and key stakeholders and develop NAWL’s intersectional positions
• Work with the Director of Legal Affairs to improve NAWL’s feminist law reform education tools, such as NAWL’s free online course, and deliver law reform training to students, partners and other stakeholders
• Study bills, research issues, and propose recommendations for upcoming legislation
• Supervise law students and legal volunteers when required
• Deliver presentations and testimony to organizations, parliamentarians, and other audiences, in Ottawa and elsewhere in Canada
• Draft or assist with grant proposals
• Work closely with NAWL’s communications team to communicate NAWL’s legal work in an accessible manner, including by drafting op-eds
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and qualifications

• Law degree (graduate studies an asset)
• Excellent writing skills in at least English or French (fluency in both languages an asset)
• Excellent speaking skills in at least English or French (fluency in both languages an asset)
• Excellent understanding of feminist issues and the social justice sector (expertise in at least one of the following areas an asset: climate / environmental law, poverty law, women’s economic empowerment, legislation and regulation, reproductive justice, family law. If you have expertise in a particular area of federal law, indicate it in your cover letter)
• Grant writing or fundraising experience an asset
• Expertise in racial justice and/or disability rights an asset
• Experience in media relations, public speaking, legal education or lobbying an asset

Work environment and work conditions

• As a feminist employer, NAWL offers a 4-day workweek and work hours are flexible.
• Indicate in your application if you are based in, or willing to relocate to, the Ottawa region, and if you are able to work in-person at NAWL’s Ottawa office two days per week. Fully remote work may be possible for the right candidate.
• You may occasionally have to work outside of normal work hours (for example, evening meetings or events, weekend staff retreat).
• You may have to travel within Canada, unless it is not possible due to your circumstances.

Compensation, vacations and benefits

• The salary range for this position is $75,000 – $83,000 annually, based on qualifications and experience.
• NAWL offers a competitive paid vacation and benefits package.

Equal opportunity

NAWL values the unique skills and experiences each individual has to offer and we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation to participate fully in our recruitment processes, please let us know when we contact you.

NAWL is an equal opportunity employer seeking to live its values in all we do. We are committed to taking proactive steps to provide and create opportunities for historically marginalized groups. We seek applicants who will strengthen our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized persons, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, and other members of marginalized communities to consider working with and for NAWL. We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications, and therefore we seek to use employment equity to evaluate candidates who meet the required qualifications.

If you are comfortable doing so, you are encouraged in your cover letter to identify as a member of an equity-deserving group.

Women and gender-diverse individuals often hesitate to apply when they do not meet 100% of the posted criteria. If you believe you would be a good match, please apply indicating your strengths and opportunities for growth, even if you don’t have every skill we are looking for.

How to apply

Please submit your application via email to contact@nawl.ca.

Kindly use the following subject line: Application – Staff Lawyer – [First Name Last Name]

Please include:

• a cover letter of up to two pages explaining your most relevant experiences and how you meet the requirements for this position. If you are fluent in both official languages, you may submit a bilingual cover letter. In your cover letter, indicate where you are based and if you are available for an in-person or online interview.
• your law school transcripts
• a complete CV
• two writing samples in English and/or French. Only include texts you’ve fully written yourself.

Applications will be received on a rolling basis and evaluated starting March 9^th, and until the position is filled.

Candidates whose applications pass the screening process will be asked to do an evaluation assignment which may take the form of written work or a presentation. Additionally, an interview and reference check will take place.

All questions regarding this position or your application should be directed to contact@nawl.ca.
Please do not contact NAWL staff directly regarding your application.