Lawyer, Criminal and Family

Position: Staff Lawyer, Criminal and Family
Location: St. Thomas

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
This staff lawyer position is a hybrid role, with a primary focus on Criminal Law Services in St Thomas, Ontario and Family Law Services in St. Thomas and London. A good understanding of People Soft and certificate management is also required.

Key accountabilities

Act as Family and Criminal Staff Lawyer

Representing 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

Travel to and from Primary and Secondary work locations

Other duties and assignments that may arise from time to time

Family

Advocate for clients in court and on court forms

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 (or 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

Maintain client files and conflict lists

Other duties as assigned

Criminal3

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 / Indigenous People Courts)

Interviewing clients, sureties, and witnesses

Disclosure review and 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

Demonstrated Knowledge and experience of relevant family law legislation and in particular child protection law and in court experience in both family and child protection matters. Experience being lead on family files.

Ability to draft legal documents without need for review

Criminal

Demonstrated experience in representing clients with complex legal issues including conducting bails hearings, and guilty pleas.

Proven experience in providing excellent client service to 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

Demonstrated knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, Divorcemate, Teams or Zoom platforms

Ability and willingness to travel between the district court locations.

What do we offer?
At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work…