We’re Hiring:

Associate Lawyer - Civil & Public Interest Litigation

Chantler & Company (practising in association as Gastown Litigation Counsel)

Vancouver, British Columbia · Approximately 3–6 years' call · Full-time · Available immediately

About the practice

Chantler & Company is a Vancouver-based litigation practice devoted to civil and public interest litigation. Led by Neil Chantler, a litigator with nearly twenty years' experience, the firm acts for individuals, families, First Nations, non-profits, unions, strata corporations, and small businesses, frequently in disputes with municipal, provincial, and federal governments and other institutions.

The firm's work includes holding police and government to account; acting for families in cases involving deaths in custody; representing survivors of sexual assault, including historical claims; defending individuals and organizations against claims arising from their public participation; and litigation concerning the environment and the public interest. The firm has appeared in significant public inquiries and coroner's inquests and in Charter and civil rights litigation.

Chantler & Company is known for its professionalism, its ethical standards, and its willingness to take on difficult and significant matters in the service of access to justice, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable clients. In every matter, clients receive personal, dedicated, and high-quality representation, and the assurance that their concerns have been heard and understood.

Chantler & Company is one of several independent firms and lawyers practising in association as Gastown Litigation Counsel (GLC), a chambers-style association of Vancouver litigators who share a professional ethos and a common standard of excellence. The successful candidate would be employed by Chantler & Company and would have the collegiality and support of the wider GLC group. Further information is available at chantlerlaw.ca and glc-law.ca.

The firm's office is located in Vancouver, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Responsibilities

Carry civil litigation files from pleadings through discovery, chambers applications, mediation, and trial, with a degree of independence appropriate to the candidate's experience and the support of senior counsel.
Act on public interest and civil rights matters, including claims against police and government, Charter litigation, and other public and administrative law matters.
Advance claims in wrongful death, historical sexual assault, environmental and public interest litigation, professional regulation and discipline, employment, and small-business and commercial disputes.
Appear in the British Columbia Supreme Court, before administrative tribunals, and at coroner's inquests.
Draft pleadings, affidavits, written argument, and legal opinions, and conduct research on novel and complex questions of constitutional, administrative, and civil law.
Manage client relationships with professionalism, care, and attention, ensuring that clients feel heard and well served.

Qualifications

Called to the Bar in British Columbia with approximately three to six years of litigation experience.
Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, and the judgment to carry files with limited supervision.
A demonstrated record of managing litigation matters and competing deadlines across active files.
A genuine commitment to access to justice, civil liberties, and public interest work, and a willingness to take on difficult and sometimes unpopular cases.
Sound judgment, discretion, and strong client-care skills, including the ability to ensure that clients feel heard and respected.
A collaborative and entrepreneurial approach, and an interest in contributing to the development of the practice.
Experience in civil litigation, administrative or constitutional law, or a related public interest field is an asset.

What the firm offers

Base salary. A base salary of $120,000 to $160,000, commensurate with year of call and experience.
Productivity bonus. A bonus of 50% of collected billings above an annual target.
Direct mentorship from a senior litigator with nearly twenty years of civil and public interest experience, together with the opportunity to conduct files independently.
Substantial and meaningful work on matters of genuine public importance, including opportunities for pro bono and public interest work, within the collegial Gastown Litigation Counsel group.
Support for marketing and business development to assist the associate in building a professional profile and practice.
Coverage of Law Society and Canadian Bar Association dues and professional insurance.
A respectful and flexible working environment that values both excellent work and a sustainable practice.
A clear path for professional growth as the firm develops.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume and references, in confidence, to neilchantler@chantlerlaw.ca with the subject line “Associate Lawyer Application.” The position is available immediately, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until it is filled. The firm thanks all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Chantler & Company is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, both in its work and within the legal profession. The firm welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and particularly encourages applications from those traditionally under-represented in the legal profession, including individuals who identify as Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, and/or persons with disabilities. Accommodation is available on request at any stage of the selection process.