Duty Counsel - Criminal And Family

Job Title: Duty Counsel - Criminal and Family
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Location: Perth
Job Category: Legal
Role Designation: LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.
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.
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 function
This Duty Counsel will be required to provide family and criminal duty counsel services in Perth, with Brockville as a secondary location. This role may require travel throughout the district on occasion. As such, applicants with readily available transportation or an ability to rent a vehicle are preferred.
Family Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for family law matters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person once in-person services resume. 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; and other duties as assigned.
Criminal Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for criminal law matters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person once in-person services resume. Criminal Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment of criminal law clients to determine the appropriate service for those charged with criminal offences, including but not limited to providing procedural and summary legal advice; drafting and reviewing criminal court documents; in court representation at various stages of criminal court proceedings; and other duties as assigned.
Key accountabilities

Act as Family and Criminal Duty Counsel
Represent clients both in-person and remotely
Ensure high quality of legal work in a cost effective manner
File management as per LAO requirements including use of computer technology; data input for statistics measurements in a timely manner

Family

Advocate for clients in court and with court documents
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 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
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)
Ability to provide advice lawyer services at the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)
Demonstrated ability to provide sensitive and compassionate client service to those who may be victims of domestic violence
Provide advice lawyer services on the Summary Legal Advice (SLA) telephone service for family
Maintain client files and conflict lists
Other duties as assigned

Criminal

Assisting unrepresented clients who have been charged with criminal matters
Representing clients at bail hearings, guilty pleas and remands both in-person and remotely
Assessing clients' needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services
Provide criminal law services as defense counsel in the Ontario Court of Justice
Providing assistance and representation at federal, provincial, and youth, remand, bail and plea courts, including specialty courts (Drug Treatment Court / Mental Health Court)
Providing summary legal advice (SLA)
Interviewing clients, sureties, and witnesses
Disclosure review, Crown pre-trials meetings
Assisting with various motions and hearings (may include trials), including judicial pre-trials
Preparing and arguing bail hearings
Other duties as assigned

Required skills & experience

Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
FAMILY: Knowledge of relevant family law legislation and in particular child protection law and exposure to the practice of family law
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Ability to draft legal documents effectively with little to no errors
CRIMINAL: Legal knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to represent clients with sensitive legal issues including conducting bail hearings and guilty pleas
Demonstrated commitment to social justice or public interest work
Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and case law
Demonstrated experience in providing criminal law services including experience with complex legal issues and bail hearings, guilty pleas, remands and youth court
Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and case law
Practical understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct
Proven interpersonal, communication, presentation and negotiation skills coupled with strong advocacy skills
Proven judgment and analytical ability to determine appropriate legal remedies and demonstrated research skills
Knowledge and appreciation of impact of court proceedings on immigration, criminal, family and other poverty law issues; and the integrated nature of legal issues faced by LAO clients
Awareness of the challenges faced when serving vulnerable populations such as racialized communities, First Nations, youth and those experiencing mental health or addiction challenges or victims of domestic violence and/or homelessness
Ability to communicate with accuracy and fluency when speaking with clients and providing advice, as well as when representing clients in court
Ability to work independently and unsupervised in a busy environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
Ability to work as a team with other Legal Aid Workers, staff lawyers, and per diem Duty Counsel
Sound knowledge and understanding of Legal Aid Ontario's operations and mandate
Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually (Zoom/Teams)
Knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
Experience with Divorcemate and Legal Files
Ability and willingness to travel between the district court locations

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.
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: ******.
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