Who are we?
For more than four decades Rafih Auto Group has been a leading automotive group in both Canada and the USA. Our number one priority is to provide our valued customers with industry-leading services and world-class experiences.
What are we looking for?
At Rafih Auto Group we believe that our people are our biggest asset and our greatest strength. We understand the industry and the world is changing every day, and that is why we are always proactive and prepared to meet challenges with determination, collaboration, innovation, and enthusiasm. We are seeking passionate, dynamic, and driven individuals who share in our strong commitment to excellence and success to join our incredible and industry leading Canadian team.
We are seeking In-House Corporate Counsel. The In-House Corporate Counsel will serve as the primary strategic legal partner handling day-to-day legal affairs across our multi-location automotive dealership group. This position is responsible for managing a diverse range of legal matters including commercial contracts, regulatory compliance (OMVIC, MVDAs, CPA), consumer and manufacturer relationships, real estate leasing, employment law, and risk management. The ideal candidate will provide practical, business-focused legal advice to executive leadership and dealership general managers to mitigate risk while supporting business growth in our Canadian (Ontario) and U.S. (Ohio, Michigan) dealerships.
Qualifications:
· Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from an accredited Canadian or U.S. law school.
· Bar Admission: Active member in good standing with a Canadian provincial Law Society (e.g., Law Society of Ontario) AND/OR an active member in good standing with a U.S. State Bar (e.g., Ohio, Michigan).
· Experience: Minimum of 4 to 7 years of post-call corporate/commercial legal experience. Experience working in-house within the automotive sector, or at a law firm representing automotive dealerships or OEMs, is highly preferred.
· Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, Consumer Protection Act, and Sale of Goods Act.
· Skills:
- Strong commercial drafting and negotiation skills.
- Practical, solutions-oriented business acumen with an ability to assess and balance legal risk against commercial realities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with executive stakeholders and dealership staff alike.
Job Requirements:
1. Regulatory Compliance & Industry Governance
- Monitor and ensure organizational compliance with evolving federal, state, and provincial laws. This includes navigating cross-border data privacy frameworks (e.g., PIPEDA/provincial laws in Canada, and CCPA/CPRA, FTC regulations, and state-specific laws in the U.S.).
- Ensure full compliance across all retail operations with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC), the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA), and the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
- Oversee compliance regarding vehicle pricing transparency, mandatory disclosures, financing (TILA/MCOB), and advertising regulations.
- Manage investigations, audits, or inquiries from OMVIC, the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, or other regulatory bodies.
2. Commercial Contracts & Franchise Operations
- Draft, review, and negotiate critical commercial contracts, including vendor agreements, IT/SaaS contracts, marketing agreements, and fleet supply contracts.
- Advise on and manage Dealer Sales and Service Agreements (DSSAs) and factory/manufacturer relations (OEM compliance, facility image programs, and incentive programs).
- Manage real estate and facility matters, including commercial leases, property acquisitions, and dealership renovation/construction contracts.
3. Consumer Relations & Dispute Resolution
- Provide legal guidance to dealership General Managers regarding complex customer disputes, vehicle returns, CAMVAP (Canadian Automotive Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan) claims, and warranty issues.
- Oversee and manage small claims court matters or coordinate with external litigation counsel on high-exposure files.
4. Corporate Governance, Privacy & Employment
- Oversee corporate maintenance, filings, and governance for Canadian (federal/provincial) and U.S. subsidiaries. Prepare board materials, resolutions, and maintain corporate minute books.
- Maintain corporate records, minute books, and entity management for multiple corporate holding companies and individual dealership entities.
- Ensure compliance with federal and provincial privacy legislation (PIPEDA / upcoming Ontario privacy updates) concerning consumer data protection and F&I (Finance & Insurance) operations.
- Partner with Human Resources to provide guidance on employment law, including employment contracts, terminations, workplace policies, and Ministry of Labour complaints.
- Provide foundational legal guidance on remote work policies, independent contractor classifications, and employment standards across various U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with corporate team and bring forth ideas and suggestions
- Other training, as needed
- Conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times
- Maintain a safe work environment
- Maintains a professional appearance
- Adhere to all company polices and procedures
Why choose Rafih?
- Competitive compensation and bonus plans
- Competitive Employee Benefits program
- Comprehensive training to set you up for success in your role
- A leadership team which strongly believe in providing personal and professional growth opportunities, mentorship, ongoing training, and continuous support
- Advancement opportunities
- A company culture focused on inclusivity, diversity, employee wellness, and community engagement
- Employee engagement and recognition events
Rafih Auto Group is an equal opportunity employer. We have accommodation processes and policies in place and will provide accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or documented medical need, please contact the Human Resources department so that arrangements may be made throughout the selection process and prior to the beginning of employment.
We appreciate your interest in joining our incredible team at Rafih Auto Group, however only applicants will be contacted for an interview will be considered at this time.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $150,000.00-$200,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Store discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Windsor, ON N8R 1A1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Are you a licensed lawyer and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO)?
Work Location: In person
