Staff Legal Counsel, Digital Rights

Duration: One-year contract (with possibility of renewal)

Hours: Full-time

Salary range: $76,882–$96,103 per year (commensurate with experience)

Start date: Flexible, as soon as possible

Unit: Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC), University of Ottawa

Reports to: Prof. Bassem Awad, CIPPIC Director

About CIPPIC

The Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC), based at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, Common Law Section and the Centre for Law, Technology and Society, is Canada's first and only public interest technology law clinic.

Since its founding in 2003, CIPPIC has advanced the public interest through litigation, law reform, policy advocacy, and public legal education in areas including privacy, copyright and access to knowledge, freedom of expression, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, consumer protection, telecommunications, internet governance, and digital rights.

Working alongside law students, faculty members, and partners across Canada and internationally, CIPPIC develops innovative legal strategies that shape the future of technology law and digital governance in Canada and beyond.

About the Position

CIPPIC is looking for an exceptional lawyer committed to advancing public interest technology law to join its growing team as Staff Legal Counsel – Digital Rights .

The successful candidate will work closely with CIPPIC's Director, fellow lawyers, students, and external partners to advance litigation, regulatory advocacy, legislative reform, and strategic policy initiatives. The position provides an opportunity to work on precedent-setting legal matters involving emerging technologies while supervising law students engaged in CIPPIC’s clinical programs.

The specialized Digital Rights position is dedicated to advancing CIPPIC's work on digital rights and freedoms in Canada and internationally. The successful candidate will contribute to strategic initiatives concerning platform accountability, content moderation, online safety, algorithmic governance, freedom of expression, privacy, digital markets, and emerging regulatory frameworks for digital technologies.

Responsibilities

Reporting to CIPPIC’s Director, the Staff Legal Counsel/Clinical Associate will contribute to litigation, policy advocacy, and public interest legal work. Responsibilities may include:

• Contributing to litigation and regulatory interventions involving digital rights before courts, administrative tribunals, and regulatory bodies.
• Participating in legislative, administrative, and multi-stakeholder policy processes related to digital rights at the federal, provincial, and international levels.
• Preparing legal opinions, consultation submissions, policy briefs, reports, and comparative research on Canadian and international developments in technology law and digital regulation.
• Supervising and mentoring law students participating in CIPPIC's clinical programs, ensuring an outstanding experiential learning environment.
• Building and strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations, regulators, academics, and international collaborators.
• Contributing to public education initiatives, through reports, workshops, conferences, media engagement, and other knowledge mobilization activities.
• Representing CIPPIC in public forums, conferences, stakeholder consultations, and media discussions.

Position Requirements

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Relevant experience in legal practice, clinical teaching, or equivalent public interest experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and advocacy skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced academic and clinical environment.
• Commitment to public interest, access to justice, and the protection of rights in the digital environment.
• Excellent proficiency in either English or French is required. Proficiency in both languages is a strong asset.

What We Offer

At CIPPIC, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work on nationally and internationally significant public interest litigation and policy initiatives concerning emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with leading scholars, practitioners, regulators, and civil society organizations.
• Mentor outstanding law students through one of Canada's premier legal clinics.
• Contribute to innovative research and policy initiatives with national and international impact.
• Salary will be commensurate with experience and consistent with University of Ottawa compensation policies.

Existing vacancy: This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are committed to fostering an environment of respect, collaboration, and excellence in research, teaching, and public service.

We welcome applications from Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. Candidates who wish to be considered as members of one or more designated groups are invited to complete the University's confidential self-identification questionnaire during the application process.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment, assessment, and selection processes upon request.

For inquiries about the position, please contact CIPPIC’s Director at View email address on apply.j-vers.com