Job description

Position

Sunnybrook Legal Services has an opening for a Legal Paraprofessional (Research) to join its team in providing services to both Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and Sunnybrook Research Institute (together “Sunnybrook”). As a member of the Legal Services team at Sunnybrook, the Legal Paraprofessional will report to Senior Legal Counsel (Research). This role will require the successful candidate to work independently and collaboratively within a very busy client environment providing legal support for research operations at Sunnybrook. This role is a hybrid role with a requirement to be on-site at the Sunnybrook Bayview Avenue campus at least 2 days a week.

Summary Of Duties

The Legal Paraprofessional (Research) will focus on providing legal support to researchers, research administration and other research staff members. Duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Drafting, reviewing, negotiating and providing advice to researchers and research administration personnel on a broad range of clinical and pre-clinical research agreements, including clinical trial agreements, sponsored research agreements, sub-site agreements, material and/or data transfer agreements and research services agreements;
Supporting the Sunnybrook Technology Transfer Office on the commercialization of intellectual property, including drafting and negotiation of technology licenses and other intellectual property agreements;
Liaising with the Research Finance office on a regular basis to support the timely development and review of research budgets and to support applications for grants as needed;
Providing advice on strategic research initiatives and large research projects;
Participating in the ongoing development and implementation of process improvements for the negotiation of research agreements with the aim of ensuring that research studies at Sunnybrook are initiated in a timely manner; and
Other duties as requested.

Sunnybrook has established partnerships with external hospitals to provide similar legal services for such hospitals. The role for the Legal Paraprofessional (Research) may include the provision of such services.

Qualifications

College diploma or certificate in a Paralegal or Law Clerk program.
Three to five years of relevant experience gained in an in-house setting or leading law firm.
Experience working in an academic hospital or research institute setting and/or the broader medical research industry will be considered an asset.
Fully proficient with MS Suite, Adobe and Document Management Systems.

Additional Qualifications

Excellent organizational and time management skills;
Excellent drafting skills, particularly in dealing with a broad range of research contracts, legal documents, policies and procedures;
Must be resourceful and able to manage multiple competing demands and prioritize tasks appropriately and effectively;
Enthusiastic, energetic, results-oriented;
Exceptional inter-personal and communication skills, with effective group presentation skills and stakeholder engagement abilities;
Ability to work independently and as a team member;
High level of composure with the ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact, with the ability to work well under pressure and to maintain strict confidence;
Excellent research skills with demonstrated strategic thinking, creative problem solving and planning combined with exceptional tactical implementation and project management skills, with good business acumen; and
Ability to identify legal issues, research and analyze complicated solutions and develop and recommend practical and informed solutions in an effective and efficient manner.