Manager, Legal Services

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

LAO is seeking a lawyer manager to oversee criminal and family duty counsel services in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent Counties. Reporting to the Director General, this new and dynamic position will be responsible for managing staff and per diems, developing and implementing new services, liaising with stakeholders, managing budgets, and supporting the Director General and management team with strategic analysis.

Home Location: Windsor-Essex Counties

Other Location(s): Chatham-Kent Counties

Reporting to: Director General, West District

Key accountabilities

Team Management and Leadership: Lead and support a diverse team of legal professionals, including lawyers, legal aid workers, and articling/law students. Manage workload allocation and HR responsibilities in a unionized environment, including performance evaluations, goal setting, training, and professional development to ensure high standards of client service and adherence to LAO policies.

Service Delivery and Innovation: Oversee the administration and delivery of legal services within LAO’s Duty Counsel Program, ensuring alignment with LAO’s mandate and strategic goals. Develop and implement innovative service delivery processes to improve efficiency and client outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a key liaison between LAO and external stakeholders, including the judiciary, Ministry of the Attorney General, private bar, and community organizations. Represent LAO at local courthouse committee meetings, conferences, and consultation groups to promote collaboration and address community needs.

Strategic Analysis and Advice: Provide strategic analysis and advice to the Director General and management team on legal service delivery, resource allocation, and program development. Contribute to the development of strategic initiatives to enhance service quality and accessibility.

Operational Oversight: Manage health and safety requirements and budgets (operations and per diem), ensuring financial accountability and compliance with LAO policies and procedures. Prepare reports, statistical analyses, and presentations to identify trends and inform decision-making.

Required Skills & Experience

Legal Qualifications: Lawyer in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario. Experience in Criminal and Family law is an asset. Knowledge of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 and Legal Aid Services Rules, and a strong understanding of LAO as a public service agency is required.

Management Experience: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, foster a positive work culture, and manage complex projects. Prior management experience, including supervising staff in a unionized environment is a strong asset.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, advocacy, and problem-solving skills. Ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders. Advanced written and verbal communication skills.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Client Service: Dedication to serving vulnerable populations and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the delivery of legal services. Experience working with marginalized communities and addressing systemic barriers within the justice system.

Technical Proficiency: Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe, Excel, Zoom, Teams, and other office applications. Familiarity and competence with client and file management systems, including Peoplesoft, Legal Files, Case Center, DivorceMate, and conflict of interest and file tickler systems is considered an asset.

Language: Fluency in French and other languages, in addition to English, is considered an asset.

What 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 offer 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 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 by email.

Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

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 View phone number on canada.jobradars.com 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.