Legal Aid Ontario Looking for Staff Lawyer – Generalist Lawyer (Criminal) at Greater Toronto Area, Canada Full Time

Job Number: J1023-0433

Job Type: Permanent Full Time

Job Location: Toronto

Job Category: Legal

Job Classification: SL

Role Designation: Flexible Hybrid – In person days can be flexible from week to week subject to manager approval and operational requirements.

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It’s an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

Primary function

Duties

This staff lawyer position is a hybrid role, with a primary focus on criminal law. It is also an asset if you possess knowledge of and ability to perform duties in immigration and family law services as well:

• Criminal law: You will be responsible for providing the full suite of certificate management services on criminal law matters. You will provide expertise to the Centralized Services department on complex criminal files, including complex case management budgets The criminal staff lawyer will be responsible for providing training, guidance and mentoring to Centralized Services staff, including in-depth support and advice on change of lawyer requests, as well as complex financial assessments.
• Immigration law: You will be responsible for supporting Immigration transactional work, and providing back up to Centralized Services’ current Immigration staff lawyer. You will also support staff with respect to change of lawyer requests, and complex financial assessments.
• Family law: You will be responsible for providing support on complex family files and family law legal aid settlement conferences.

Home Location: Provincial Office – Toronto

Other Locations: Not applicable

Reporting to: Manager, Certificate Services, Centralized Services, Operations Division

Key accountabilities

• Certificate management of complex criminal files and Immigration transactional work.
• Limited management of complex family law files.
• Review and set budgets for complex criminal case management files, which may include corresponding with counsel and follow up with, certificate management.
• Train and mentor staff and provide guidance to Centralized Services staff, particularly in the case of change of lawyer applications and complex financial assessments.
• Provide input and expertise to staff and other departments on criminal law matters.
• Act as liaison between Centralized Services and other departments.
• Work collaboratively with other LAO departments as well as external stakeholders to address any issues or concerns that may impact client service.
• Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned

Required Skills & Experience

• Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
• Demonstrated criminal law experience and knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Criminal Code of Canada and court procedures.
• Demonstrated experience handling criminal matters.
• Experience practicing law as a lawyer or criminal duty counsel, including providing advice.
• Some experience in Immigration law or a demonstrated interest in learning Immigration law and transactional work
• Demonstrated knowledge of or interest in learning family law.
• Client-focused with personal motivation and accountability.
• Ability to work independently, with limited supervision, and to lead in a fast-paced environment.
• Sound judgment and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work in a team with other Legal Aid Workers, staff lawyers, per diem Duty Counsel and Managers.
• Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria.
• Ability to generate certificates in accordance with office procedures, standard formats, and to submit files and appropriate documentation to administrative staff for processing.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
• Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other office applications. Experience with DivorceMate, Legal Files and PeopleSoft is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually.
• Ability to communicate in written and oral French is considered a strong asset.

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

This position is represented by The Society of United Professionals and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi-weekly from date of hire.

First preference will be given to current members of The Society of United Professionals. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.

Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position. Already have an Njoyn account? Just sign in and select “my jobs” to apply.

Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.

Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.

Are you interested in this job?

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), an independent but publicly funded and publicly accountable non-profit corporation. None of this material may be commercially reproduced, but copying for other purposes, with credit, is encouraged.

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