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
To act as Family Duty Counsel and oversee the delivery of family law duty counsel services in North Bay and throughout the Nipissing and Parry Sound Districts.
Family Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for family law matters in the courthouse. Family Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment of family law clients to determine the appropriate service for the clients, including but not limited to providing procedural and summary legal advice; drafting, reviewing and commissioning of family court documents and pleadings such as Applications, Answers, Motions, Affidavits and Financial Statements; in court representation at various stages of a family court and/or child protection proceeding; supervision of per diem duty counsels and other duties as assigned.
Home Location: North Bay (in person services have resumed in North Bay)
Secondary/tertiary locations: Nipissing, Parry Sound Districts & Sundridge
Reports to: Manager of Legal Services
Key accountabilities
- Provide family law duty counsel services, including providing instructions to Legal Aid Workers (and students), preparation of court documents for eligible clients, make appropriate referrals when required, including to mediation services
- Providing representation in the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ), Superior Court of Justice (Unified Family Court) at first appearances, conferences, motions, negotiations, Family Responsibility Office (FRO) matters, Children’s Aid Societies matters and other court hearings and services as required
- Advocate for clients in court and on court forms
- Assist unrepresented eligible clients with LAO family settlement conferences as required
- Assist unrepresented clients with Child Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) matters (with document preparation and in court appearances)
- Provide advice lawyer services at the Family Law Information Center (FLIC) and other advice clinics as required
- Provide advice lawyer services on the Summary Legal Advice (SLA) telephone service for family
- Ensure high quality of legal work in a cost effective manner
- Maintain client files and conflict lists
- Record data and produce reports as required and within established reporting times.
- Assessment of clients’ needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services.
- Oversee the administration and application of financial eligibility tests in accordance with LAO policy and ensuring high quality legal work in a cost effective manner.
- Assist the Director-General and Manager in the administration of the duty counsel office, including assisting with the coordination of duty counsel services and ensuring adequate resources are allocated to various courts and clinics.
- Assist with Panel Management, quality assurance and best practice measures.
- Assist with the preparation/management of operational and per diem budgets in conjunction with the District Office and Managers.
- Act as a liaison between Legal Aid Ontario, the judiciary, court services staff and the private bar, including sitting on local bench and bar committees and other consultation groups, on behalf of the Director-General.
- Travel may be required within the Districts to assist in satellite courts.
- 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
- Demonstrated family law experience and knowledge of relevant family law legislation, including child protection law and FRO legislation with the ability to research and retrieve information as required
- Demonstrated experience handling complex family legal issues
- Experience practicing law as a family duty counsel including providing advice, Summary Legal Advice Family (SLAF), mediation, settlement conferences, etc.
- 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 as a team with other Legal Aid Workers, staff lawyers, per diem Duty Counsel and Managers
- Knowledge of the Legal Aid Services Act and Regulations
- Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and other office applications. Experience with DivorceMate and PeopleSoft is an asset.
- Access to a vehicle or ability to rent a vehicle is preferred as this position may require travel within the District and to satellite courts.
To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.
This position is collectively represented by The Society of United Professionals (The Society) and the successful incumbent will be governed by the provisions of a collective agreement and subject to union dues.
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 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.
Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available upon request.
Legal Aid Ontario encourages applicants from equity seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis descent, persons with disabilities, women, members of racialized communities and the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We recognize the value of diversity, equity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and 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.
Please Note :
optimuspartners.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, optimuspartners.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, Site.com is the ideal place to find your next job.