Bilingual Staff Lawyer - Family

LAO is seeking a bilingual family staff lawyer for its Integrated Legal Service Office (ILSO) in Ottawa.

Reporting to the Manager, Legal Services, this position provides full legal representation and advice services to eligible clients with family and child protection law matters. Responsibilities also include mentoring, outreach and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Location: The Integrated Legal Services Office is located in Ottawa, however, the services provided by ILSO span the Eastern District. Some travel is expected.

• Legal Representation and Advice: Provide full representation to family and CYFSA clients in various legal settings such as mediation, case conferences, settlement conferences, trial management conferences, motions, and trials in the Superior Court of Justice - Family Court (UFC). Provide summary legal advice and unbundled services to unrepresented family law clients who qualify for Legal Aid, both in-person and over the phone. Assist clients with ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) appeals and Landlord and Tenant disputes, as required.
• Quality and Efficiency: Ensure high-quality legal work is provided in a cost-effective manner. Maintain accurate records and produce necessary reports.
• Community Outreach and Legal Education: Engage in community outreach and continuing professional development / public legal education initiatives and presentations.
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): Implement and advocate for EDI principles in legal practice, ensuring services are inclusive and respectful of clients' diverse backgrounds. Participate in EDI training and apply these principles in mentoring and training.
• Mentorship and Training: Provide guidance and support to diverse members of inter-professional team, including paralegals, legal aid workers, and students. Help others develop skills and provide high quality client services.
• Travel: This role may require some travel throughout the Eastern district. As such, applicants with readily available transportation or an ability to rent a vehicle are preferred.
• Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned by the organization

• Legal Qualifications : Must be a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Knowledge and Experience: Strong background in family and child protection law. Experience in other areas of law, including immigration/refugee, criminal law, and poverty law is an asset.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Sound judgment and excellent interpersonal, negotiation, advocacy, and problem-solving skills. Ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders. At ease working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, independently and as part of a team. Advanced written and verbal communication skills in both English and French are required. Proficiency in other languages considered a strong asset.
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice: Dedication to serving vulnerable populations and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the delivery of legal services. Demonstrated experience working with marginalized communities and addressing systemic barriers within the justice system.
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe, Excel, Zoom, Teams, and other office applications. Familiarity and competence with client and file management systems, including Peoplesoft, Legal Files, Caselines, DivorceMate, and conflict of interest and file tickler systems is considered an asset.

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 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.

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Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.