Address
Form of workJob Number: J1222-0282
Job Title: Staff Lawyer - Family
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
City, Province, Country: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Job Location: Toronto
Job Category: Legal
Job Classification: SL
Open Positions: 1
Posting Date: January 24, 2023
Closing Date: February 7, 2023
Salary: $83,343.00 - $142,422.00/Year
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
Family staff lawyers are responsible for providing certificate management for family law matters. The family staff lawyer will be responsible for providing expertise to the Centralized Services department on complex family law files including setting budgets for Family and CYFSA case management requests and corresponding with counsel on requests, facilitating settlement conferences and providing training, guidance and mentoring to Centralized Services staff.
Home Location: Provincial Office - Toronto
Other Locations: Not applicable
Reporting to: Director, Centralized Services
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is in the process of developing an organization-wide hybrid workplace model, taking into consideration the range of services and roles performed throughout the organization. During this development phase, the work of this role in-person presence will be required.
Key accountabilities
- Certificate management of complex family law files
- Review and set budgets for complex family law case management files which may include corresponding with counsel and follow up with certificate management
- Facilitate settlement conferences including conducting settlement conferences and follow up which may include corresponding with counsel and drafting minutes of settlement and preparing certificate reports
- Co-ordination of family law certificate management service delivery taking an integrated approach across the district and region
- Train and mentor staff and provide guidance to Centralized Services staff
- Provide input and family law expertise to staff and other departments
- Act as liaison between Centralized Services and other departments
- Work collaboratively with other LAO departments as well as external stakeholders to address any issues or concerns that may impact client service
- Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned
- Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario
- Demonstrated family law experience and knowledge of relevant family law legislation, including child protection law and Family Responsibility Office (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 or lawyer including providing advice, Summary Legal Advice Family (SLAF), mediation, settlement conferences, trials 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
- Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria and to generate certificates in accordance with office procedures and standard formats and to submit files and appropriate documentation to area office staff for processing;
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
- Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and other office applications. Experience with DivorceMate, Legal Files and PeopleSoft is an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually.
- Ability to communicate in French is an asset.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.
This position is represented by the Society 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.
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.
