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.
This position is responsible for direct litigation support for the Family Senior Counsel Program. This role will assist staff lawyers who will represent clients on legal aid certificates. It includes file management (opening and closing files, docketing and billing on-line), communication with clients, opposing counsel/parties, family court staff and stakeholders; the preparation of correspondence and family court documents, and providing information on court processes and procedural matters under the direct supervision of a staff family.
The legal aid worker will closely assist staff lawyers with varied tasks and administrative duties required to advance client matters through the family court process. The position will be responsible for covering the geographic area of the Central East District, including virtual and in-person attendance throughout the District.
Home Location: Barrie
Other Locations: Orillia, Bracebridge, Collingwood, Midland and Huntsville
Reports to: Manager of Operations – Family Senior Counsel Program
Key accountabilities
- Provide general information by responding to in-person, email, and phone inquiries from clients;
- Perform client file management including tasks like opening and closing files, maintaining a tickler system, preparing, and reviewing correspondence, organizing files as well as motion, conference and trial materials and billing files;
- Responsible for client intake, drafting and referrals of client to other services as required;
- Liaise with other legal service providers, internal and external, including court-based services, to ensure seamless client service;
- Liaise with shelters and other community agencies;
- Liaise with private bar lawyers, Children's Aid Society counsel and workers, Mental Health and other court workers, police and other court staff as directed by the staff lawyer;
- Conduct preliminary client interviews to gather case information; serve as the primary point of contact; handle client inquiries and assist lawyers with queries, referrals, information requests, and interviews;
- Prepare court documents and assist with information gathering and correspondence under the direct supervision of the staff lawyer;
- Implement established systems to manage workload and compile information for statistical reporting and analysis.
- Act as floater LAW, including triaging clients and other administrative tasks as assigned;
- Demonstrate flexibility in terms of work hours including occasionally working through lunch breaks or past regular work hours; and
- Provide mentorship and/or training to other staff, information to legal and non-legal staff relating to PLEI, community outreach and drafting.
- Perform other duties as required.
Required skills & experience
- Fluency in French, and/or in languages other than English and French, will be considered an asset;
- Excellent interpersonal communication and interview skills, and sound judgment for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies;
- Resiliency, solution-oriented, possessing a calm temperament; adaptability to working well in a constantly changing environment;
- Ability to work well under strict time constraints;
- Ability to manage client expectations;
- Ability and willingness to work effectively in a team environment;
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with Legal Aid Workers, staff lawyers, paralegals, per diem Duty Counsel and Managers;
- Solid understanding of court processes, rules and practice directions;
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Legal Aid Services Act, Family Law Act and Child Support Guidelines, Children's Law Reform Act, Child and Youth Family Services Act, Divorce Act, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families and the Family Law Rules
- Minimum of 3-years demonstrated experience in drafting family law court documents.
- Aptitude and willingness to work effectively with and be sensitive to the needs of vulnerable clients, particularly clients with mental health issues, survivors of domestic abuse, clients from marginalized communities and clients who have concurrent immigration and/or criminal law matters;
- Sound knowledge of legal aid application procedures, financial principles and LAO policies and practices;
- Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria in accordance with office procedures and standard formats;
- Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures;
- Ability to assemble child protection and domestic family application records, status review records, motion records, trial records, appeal records, joint briefs and exhibit books;
- An understanding and adherence to discretion and client confidentiality;
- Must have competent computer skills and knowledge of the Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Divorcemate;
- Experience with Legal Files would be an asset; and
- Diploma or certificate in law practice or court-related area would be an asset.
Organizational Competencies Expected
- Client Focus
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Personal Motivation and Accountability
- Focus on Quality and Best Practice
- Problem Solving and Judgement
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork and Collaboration
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 this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal well-being.
We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that include dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Short-Term Disability (STD), and Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage.
Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid time-off policy including vacation days, illness days, discretionary days and statutory holidays.
Employees are eligible to be enrolled to OPSEU Pension Plan, administered by OPSEU Pension Plan Trust Fund (OPTrust).
How to apply?
Submit a résumé and cover letter.
Please clearly set out in your cover letter why you are interested in the Legal Aid Worker position, and highlight relevant experience, skills, and training that make you an ideal candidate.
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 OPSEU 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 résumé 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 a position with 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:
[email protected].
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.
