Overview As a member of the military, Legal Officers deliver legal services in the fields of operational law, international law, training, military personnel law, and military justice. Responsibilities Providing advice on international and domestic law to the commander of a deployed force Providing general legal advice and services to the commanding officer of a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Base Providing advice on operational legal issues at National Defence Headquarters Representing clients at Court Martial and appearing before the Court Martial Appeal Court Representing the interests of the CAF and the Department of National Defence (DND) as: A member of a Canadian delegation negotiating international treaties A member of the military liaison staff at an allied headquarters Delivering training on military law and military justice Work Environment Legal Officers are members of the Legal Branch of the CAF, commanded by the Judge Advocate General (JAG). The JAG acts as a legal adviser to the Governor General, the Minister of National Defence, the DND and the CAF, and administers military justice in the CAF. A Legal Officer may also work at the Office of the DND/CAF Legal Adviser, covering areas such as legislative drafting, pensions, claims and administrative law. Some Legal Officers may be appointed to the military bench or serve in the independent Office of the Chief Military Judge. Entry Plans and Qualifications All Legal Officers must be admitted to the Bar of a Canadian province or territory and be a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial law society. Qualification requirements depend on the time since graduation from Law School: If you have graduated within the last two years, you must have practice experience within the last two years, including clinic work or articling in Canadian Criminal Law, International Law, Administrative Law, Labour and Employment Law or Human Rights Law. If it has been more than two years since graduation, you must have practised law on a full‑time basis in Canada since graduation. If you have not worked as a lawyer since law school, your legal experience will be evaluated by the Office of the JAG. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned. Training After enrolment, you begin 12 weeks of basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec, covering military knowledge, leadership, regulations, customs, weapons handling, first aid and physical fitness. Success in basic training is a prerequisite for further training. Official second language training may follow, lasting from two to nine months. During the first posting, Legal Officers complete Legal Officer basic occupational training to work across the Office of the JAG, and may later pursue specialized courses, on‑the‑job training or graduate degrees. Part‑time Options This position is available for part‑time employment with the Primary Reserve across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time with a military unit in their community, while they may concurrently attend school or hold a civilian job. They are paid during training, are not required to relocate, and may volunteer for deployment or relocation. Reserve Legal Officers typically serve evenings and weekends, but full‑time positions are also available at fixed terms. Pay is 92.8% of Regular Force rates, with a reasonable benefits package and pension eligibility. Placement and Relocation For a Regular Force career, upon completion of training you will be assigned to your first base. While there is flexibility with postings, relocation may be required at some point. For Primary Reserve officers, you will serve in your designated reserve unit on a part‑time basis and are not obligated to relocate to a different base. #J-18808-Ljbffr