Senior Counsel, Criminal

Job Location: Toronto
Job Category: Legal
Open Positions: 1
Posting Date: November 5, 2026
Closing Date: November 19, 2026
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.
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.
Primary functionThe Senior Counsel Program has provincial scope and complements LAO’s existing mixed model of private bar and duty counsel services by providing eligible clients with another option for high quality full representation.
The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting vulnerable clients on a wide range of criminal matters, up to and including full trial representation. Senior Counsel also accept court appointments, and facilitate mentorship opportunities for staff lawyers and private counsel to further enhance access to justice.
Home location: Toronto and the GTA
Secondary/Tertiary Locations: Hamilton, Milton, Brantford
Reports to: Director and Manager, Legal Services – Senior Counsel Program
Key accountabilities
Work in conjunction with existing LAO staff lawyers, paralegals and Legal Aid Workers (LAWs) including in respect of responding to client referrals.
Carriage of criminal matters through to trial where client is eligible for, and wishes, the services of LAO Senior Counsel for extremely vulnerable and hard-to-serve clients, for example, those with mental health issues, who are homeless, street-involved, suffering with substance abuse, dealing with current or past intimate partner/domestic abuse, Indigenous, Racialized, and youth.
Conduct special and complex lengthy bail hearings, bail reviews, fitness hearings, NCR hearings, and ORB hearings.
Accept court appointments (primarily Amicus, 672.24, possibly 486.3 and O’Connor/Mills) and advance test case or public interest litigation, where appropriate.
Conduct client meetings and provide timely, clear and concise professional advice to clients.
Perform legal research to ensure the best outcome for the client.
Draft relevant legal documents in a timely and efficient matter.
Maintain currency of legal knowledge in criminal law, specifically relevant to the social justice sector.
Fulfill case management responsibilities to deliver the efficient defence of criminal matters.
Perform all administrative duties relating to file management to ensure efficient and timely management of client files and to support the Department’s business needs.
Maintain currency and compliance with LAO training, policies and procedures, including timely submission of dockets and disbursements and any expenses incurred.
Serve as mentors to duty counsel, providing coaching and support where needed, and where suitable, continuing professional development.
Provide mentoring and guidance to non-lawyer staff, particularly with respect to making appropriate referrals to the certificate program.
Partner on select matters with private counsel to support the certificate roster.
As needed, work in multi-disciplinary teams on projects, working groups and committees to recommend program enhancements and to design, improve and implement ideas arising from those committees.
As needed for client service, in-person attendance will be required, and some travel may be required for secondary locations, to meet the needs of the court and clients such as court appearances and client meetings, as well for as any other LAO needs. Necessary travel expenses will be compensated.
Required skills & experience
Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
Ability to work with others in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work independently
Collegial and team-oriented attitude with the ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams as required
Sound judgment and problem solving skills.
Applicants must meet LAO’s Criminal Law Standards or Equivalencies, including demonstrated expertise and substantial recent involvement in criminal law as outlined at:
Applicants who are LAO Roster members must have a demonstrable record of service quality, including a history of a positive working relationship with LAO and be in good standing with legal accounts.
Ability to develop an appropriate theory of a criminal case and to conduct pretrial motions and voir dires, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, the tendering and challenging of evidence, jury selection, opening and closing addresses, contested sentencing, and reopening.
Experience representing clients in all stages of criminal proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice including contested trials.
Experience serving low income Ontarians, Indigenous and racialized clients, and clients with mental health issues.
Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian criminal law and procedure (e.G. Criminal Code of Canada, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act), the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and other relevant legislation.
Excellent oral and written communication and advocacy skills including the ability to effectively communicate with a diverse clientele.
Proven ability to analyze and express legal issues and provide advice.
Understanding of the nature and scope of the work and the roles and responsibilities of LAO’s mandate and services.
Demonstrated interest in developing organizational capacity to deliver LAO senior litigation services.
Preferred Skills & Experiences
Ability to use the latest communication technologies including smartphones and video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually. (Zoom/Teams)
Proficiency in using computer-based file management and data entry systems such as PeopleSoft/Service Integration, Legal Files, as well as Microsoft Office
Eligibility for Extremely Serious Matters (ESM) and Complex Case Rate (CCR)
Proficiency in French is considered an asset
Ability to provide legal services in a language other than French or English will be considered an asset
Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
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 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.
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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