Duty Counsel, Criminal and Family

Company Bio

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.

Primary function

This Duty Counsel position will provide direct client service to eligible individuals with criminal and family law matters, virtually and in-person. Should a successful candidate lack experience in one area of law, training will be provided with the objective of becoming a strong practitioner in both criminal and family law.

Criminal Duty Counsel are responsible for intake and assessment of criminal law clients to determine the appropriate service for those charged with criminal offences, including but not limited to providing legal advice, in-court representation, drafting and reviewing court documents, and other duties as assigned.

Family Duty Counsel are responsible for intake and assessment of family and child protection law clients to determine the appropriate service, including but not limited to providing legal advice, in-court representation, drafting, reviewing and commissioning court documents and pleadings, and other duties as assigned.

Home Location: Woodstock Family and Criminal Duty Counsel Office

Secondary locations: Guelph Family and Criminal Courthouses and Stratford Courthouse.

Reports to: Manager of Legal Services

Key accountabilities

• Determine legal and financial eligibility for certificate and duty counsel services based on LAO eligibility criteria
• Ensure high quality of legal work in a cost effective manner
• Triage and interview clients to assess legal issues and client needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to determine the appropriate service and facilitate referrals, as needed
• Assist with training and onboarding per diems and colleagues, including other staff lawyers, paralegals, students, and Legal Aid Workers (LAWs)
• File management and record keeping, including timely creation and maintenance of client files and conflict lists
• Prepare reports and submit duty counsel accounts/dockets, as required, in accordance with LAO policy
• Participate in working groups, pilots and LAO initiatives
• Stakeholder engagement and public legal education
• Other duties and administrative tasks as assigned

Criminal

• Assist eligible unrepresented clients with criminal matters before the Ontario Court of Justice
• Review disclosure and provide legal advice
• Conduct bail negotiations and resolution-focused pre-trials
• Represent clients at bail hearings, guilty pleas, sentencing hearings, Judicial pretrials, Crown pretrials, case management courts, and remands/adjournments
• Represent clients in Specialty Courts, including Mental Health, Gladue/ Indigenous Peoples Court, Domestic Violence Court, Youth Court, and Drug Treatment Court
• Interview sureties and prepare surety declarations
• Assist colleagues with the preparation of bail hearings, guilty pleas and other forms of resolution services
• Other duties as assigned

Family

• Assist eligible unrepresented clients with family and child protection law matters before the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice
• Provide advice lawyer services at the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)
• Provide family law duty counsel services, including legal advice, preparation of court documents, and reviewing and commissioning family court documents and pleadings, such as Applications, Answers, Motions, Affidavits, Financial statements, and Conference briefs
• Provide representation at first appearances, conferences, motions, negotiations, Family Responsibility Office (FRO) matters, and other family court hearings and services, as required
• Assist unrepresented clients with Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) matters, including document preparation and in-court appearances
• Assist eligible clients with LAO family settlement conferences, as required
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills & Experience

• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO)
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice or public interest work
• Knowledge of Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 and Legal Aid Services Rules, and a strong understanding of LAO as a public service agency
• Practical understanding of the LSO’s Rules of Professional Conduct
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant criminal legislation, rules of evidence, procedure, and practice directives
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant family law legislation, child protection law, Indigenous Peoples legislation, family law rules, procedure, and practice directives
• Knowledge and appreciation of the intersecting nature of legal issues experienced by LAO clients
• Dedication to serving vulnerable populations and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and in the delivery of legal service
• Experience working with marginalized communities and addressing systemic barriers within the justice system
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, coupled with strong written and oral advocacy and legal research skills
• Sound judgment and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe, Zoom and Teams
• Familiarity and competence with client and file management systems, including PeopleSoft, Service Integration, Legal Files, Case Center, and Divorcemate is an asset
• Ability to travel within the district to other court locations and institutions

What do we offer?

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal wellbeing.

We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that include dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance and Short-Term Disability (STD) coverage. Legal Aid Ontario also offers a personal spending account which is an allotment of funds geared to supporting your mental, physical and financial well-being.

Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid time-off policy, including vacation days, sick days, discretionary days, and statutory holidays.

Employees are eligible to be enrolled to the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), administered by the Ontario Pension Board (OPB).

How To Apply

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.

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.

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 résumé 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 a position with 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 View phone number on ca.workus.org or email support: ***email_hidden***.

Equity Statement

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

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.