Senior Counsel, 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

The Family Senior Counsel Program has provincial scope and complements LAO’s existing mixed model of private bar and duty counsel services by providing financially and legally eligible clients with another option for high quality, full-scope representation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting vulnerable clients on a wide-range of family law and child protection matters, up to and including representation at trial.

Representation will include, but is not limited to, acting as counsel of record for certificate-eligible clients. Family Senior Counsel also accept court appointments and create and facilitate mentorship opportunities for staff lawyers and private counsel to further enhance access to justice.

In addition to working with a team passionate about access to justice and making a difference in the lives of many of society’s most vulnerable, LAO offers comprehensive medical and dental benefits through Sun Life, an Employee Assistance Program through Telus Health, and membership in the Ontario Public Service Pension Plan.

Home Location: Sault Ste. Marie

Other Locations: Blind River and Elliot Lake

Reporting to: Manager of Legal Services – Family Senior Counsel Program

Key accountabilities

• Act as counsel of record for certificate eligible clients unable to secure private bar lawyers in family law and child protection matters.
• Representation of family law and child protection clients through all stages of litigation up to and including trial, with an emphasis on providing assistance for vulnerable and hard-to-serve clients.
• Serve as mentors to Legal Aid duty counsel, staff lawyers and private bar roster lawyers, providing coaching and support where needed
• Participate in community outreach presentations and projects
• Participate in legal education initiatives
• Ensure high quality of legal work in a cost-effective manner
• Maintain conflict lists, record data and produce reports as required
• Access to a vehicle or ability to rent a vehicle is preferred as this position will require travel
• Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned and remain adaptable and flexible in a changing environment

Required Skills & Experience

• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario with a minimum of 5 years family law experience
• Fluency in French, and/or in languages other than English and French, will be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience representing clients in family law matters and advanced knowledge of all relevant family law legislation, including the Divorce Act, Family Law Act, Children’s Law Reform Act, Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act and Family Law Rules.
• Demonstrated experience representing clients in child protection matters and advanced knowledge of all relevant child protection legislation, including the Child, Youth and Family Services Act and An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
• Demonstrated experience dealing with complex family law matter and of strong knowledge of relevant family law legislation and in particular child protection law, including in court experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing legal services for clients that are Indigenous, racialized, or from other vulnerable client groups, including domestic violence survivors and those experiencing mental health challenges.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Legal Aid Workers, staff lawyers, paralegals, per diem Duty Counsel and Managers
• Knowledge of the Legal Aid Services Act and Regulations, and a strong understanding of LAO as a public service agency
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms to deliver services virtually.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with computer software including, but not limited to: DivorceMate, CaseLines, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Client focused with personal motivation and accountability
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and provide sound advice/support to colleagues when required
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills

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 our commitment to enhance employees’ professional and personal well-being, reflecting our values of equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging.

Your health and wellness

Our Health And Wellness Program Includes

• Dental, health and life insurance
• Short-Term Disability and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Permanent employees are eligible for long-term disability insurance
• An employee assistance program (EAP) that offers professional, confidential counselling services to employees and members of their immediate families. The EAP operates programs that address common life issues such as childcare, smoking, financial difficulty, and more.
• Legal Aid Ontario offers a Health Spending Account (HSA) which is an allotment of funds provided by LAO for health and dental expenses, above what the regular plan provides.

Your work-life balance

Employees Enjoy Generous Paid Time-off Including

• 17 vacation days at hire,
• Sick days
• Discretionary days
• Three paid days for religious or cultural observances
• Statutory holidays and The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day and Easter Monday

Your career

LAO supports your career development by offering professional development and networking through several programs, including training to support a positive culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB), and lunch and learns to build client service skills

• Informal Employee Networks for staff with shared identities to connect, support each other and build professional networks
• Law Society of Ontario (LSO) accredited training to support learning and professional development for all employees
• EDIB-focused training
• Mentorship programs, including an Indigenous-focused mentorship program

Your future

Employees are eligible to enrol in the defined benefit Public Service Pension Plan which provides financial security during retirement.

How to apply?

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.

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.

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 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.