Duty Counsel - Family & Criminal (Hybrid) - Jobs in St. Catharines, ON

Job Description

Union : The SocietyNuméro de concours : J0522-0704Titre du poste : Duty Counsel - Family & Criminal (Hybrid)Type de poste : Permanent, temps pleinVille, province, pays : St. Catharines and area, Ontario, CanadaEmplacement du poste : St. Catharines and areaCatégorie de poste : Services juridiquesJob Classification : SLPostes ouverts : 1Date daffichage : Le 18 mai 2022Date de retrait : Le 1 juin 2022Salaire : $82,607.00 - $142,422.00/annéeLegal 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. Its 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 functionThis Duty Counsel will be required provide family and criminal duty counselservices in St. Catharines, Welland and Fort Erie. This role may require travelthroughout the district on occasion. As such, applicants with readily availabletransportation or an ability to rent a vehicle are preferred.Family Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for family lawmatters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person once in person servicesresume. Family Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment offamily law clients to determine the appropriate service for the clients, includingbut not limited to providing procedural and summary legal advice; drafting,reviewing and commissioning of family court documents and pleadings such asApplications, Answers, Motions, Affidavits and Financial Statements; in courtrepresentation at various stages of a family court and/or child protectionproceeding; supervision of per diem duty counsels and other duties as assigned.Criminal Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for criminal lawmatters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person once in person servicesresume. Criminal Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessmentof criminal law clients to determine the appropriate service for those charged withcriminal offences, including but not limited to providing procedural and summarylegal advice; drafting and reviewing criminal court documents; in courtrepresentation at various stages of criminal court proceedings especially bail;support of per diem duty counsel lawyers and other duties as assigned.As a result of the pandemic most services are currently being provided virtually withminimal “on-site” supervision. This position will appeal to a lawyer experienced ina broad range of criminal and family proceedings who can effectively navigate thedemands of a hectic and sometimes frenetic workplace, both in-person andonline.Reports to: Manager of Legal Services, Niagara RegionKey accountabilities

• Act as Family and Criminal Duty Counsel
• 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

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 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 / Gladue Court)
• Providing summary legal advice (SLA)
• 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 work independently in a busy environment
• Ability to draft legal documents without need for review
• Some experience with virtual family court policies and procedures including virtual court filing rules

Criminal

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice or public interest work
• Demonstrated experience in representing clients with complex legal issues including conducing bails hearings, and guilty pleas.
• Experience acting as Criminal Duty Counsel on behalf of LAO’s vulnerable clients
• Demonstrated experience in providing criminal law services including experience with complex legal issues and bails 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
• Background/Knowledge/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 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)
• Demonstrated knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, Divorcemate and Legal Files
• Ability and willingness to travel between the district court locations when in-person services resume.

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.This position is represented by The Society of United Professionals 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.First Preference will be given to current members of the Society of United Professionals.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 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.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.Cet emploi vous intéresseQuick Apply

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