Legal Aid Worker – Senior Counsel, Family (West)

Job title:

Legal Aid Worker – Senior Counsel, Family (West)

Company

Legal Aid Ontario

Job description

Union: OPSEU – DistrictsJob Number: J0325-0259Job Title: Legal Aid Worker – Senior Counsel, Family (West)Job Type: Permanent Full TimeCity, Province, Country: Walkerton & area, Ontario, CanadaJob Location: Western RegionJob Category: LegalJob Classification: S4URole Designation: Flexible Hybrid – In person days can be flexible from week to week subject to manager approval and operational requirements.Open Positions: 1Posting Date: March 25, 2025Closing Date: April 1, 2025Salary: $55,200.11 – $82,396.92/YearLegal 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.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.Primary functionThe Family Senior Counsel Program has provincial scope and complements Legal Aid Ontario’s (LAO) 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 (LAW) 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 West District, primarily by providing virtual assistance to clients with in-person attendance as required throughout the District at the Family Court Branch of the Superior Court of Justice Court, Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice locations in Walkerton, Goderich, Kitchener, Guelph, Stratford and Owen Sound.Home Location: To be confirmed (Walkerton, Goderich, Kitchener, Guelph, Stratford and Owen Sound.)
Secondary location(s): To be confirmed (Walkerton, Goderich, Kitchener, Guelph, Stratford and Owen Sound.)Reports to: Manager of Operations – Family Senior Counsel ProgramKey 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;
• Preliminary interviews of clients to gather information about their case; primary contact with clients; field inquiries from clients, and assist lawyer with client queries, referrals, requests for information, client interviews, etc.;
• Procedural court document preparation; assistance with information gathering and correspondence, under the direct supervision of the staff lawyer;
• Implement established systems to manage the volume of work, and the ability to compile information for statistical purposes and reporting/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 Public Legal Education & Information (PLEI), community outreach and drafting.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required skills & experience

• Minimum of 3-years demonstrated experience in drafting family law court documents.
• 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
• 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 assemble child protection and domestic family application records, status review records, motion records, trial records, appeal records, joint briefs and exhibit books;
• 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, Duty Counsel (Staff Lawyers), paralegals, per diem Duty Counsel and Managers;
• Solid understanding of court processes, rules and practice directions;
• 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;
• 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;
• Diploma or certificate in law practice or court-related area would be an asset, and
• Fluency in French, and/or in languages other than English and French, will be considered 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

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.To apply, submit a cover letter & résumé.Only 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.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 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: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.

Expected salary

$55200.11 – 82396.92 per year

Location

Ontario

Job date

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 02:13:34 GMT

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