Legal Aid Worker

This position is responsible for the preparation of family court documents and providing procedural advice, under the direct supervision of a family lawyer in the Family Law Service Centre, Sarnia. The legal aid worker will be responsible for the initial assessment and intake of the family law client to assist in determining the appropriate service for the client, the referral to appropriate services and resources, and applications for legal aid. The legal aid worker will also assist lawyers with front end tasks and the administrative work involved in moving client matters through the Sarnia Family Law Service Centre.

Home Location: Sarnia Family Law Service Centre
Secondary Locations: Sarnia Court house and Walpole Island Court

Reporting to: Manager of Family Law Service Centres, West District

• Provide general information, including procedural legal information, by responding to in-person and phone inquiries from clients. Prepare accounts for client file work, maintain certificates, file forms and provide support such as general correspondence on file matters under lawyer supervision;
• Perform client and certificate file management/ maintenance activities, including providing of information to clients relating to legal aid and court proceeding;
• 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;
• Assessment of the client need to determine the appropriate service for the client, including the early identification of vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made, under the supervision of staff lawyers;
• Outreach work with Clinics and other community agencies to promote and expand services co-ordination opportunities;
• Interview clients to gather information about their case, field telephone calls from clients, and assist the lawyers with client queries, referrals, requests for information, client interviews, etc.;
• Court document preparation; client interviewing and assistance with information gathering and correspondence under the direct supervision of the staff lawyer;
• Liaise with private bar lawyers, Children's Aid Society counsel and workers, Mental Health and other court workers, police and other court staff;
• Create systems to manage the volume of work and the ability to compile information for statistical purposes and reporting/analysis; and
• Perform other duties as required.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and interview skills, and sound judgment for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies;
• Solid understanding of court processes, rules and practice directions for all levels of court serviced by staff lawyers;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Family Law Act and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act;
• Aptitude and willingness to work effectively with vulnerable clients, particularly clients with mental health issues;
• Ability to maintain detailed functional and theoretical knowledge of legal aid application procedures, financial principles and Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) policies and practices;
• Knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Office and Divorce Mate;
• Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria in accordance with office procedures and standard formats;
• Fluency in spoken French or another language would be considered an asset;
• Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures;
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including Smartphones; Blackberry's and iPhone; and
• Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs; Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Divorcemate. Experience with Legal Files Access would be an asset.

As per the requirements of the Collective Agreement governing this position, first consideration is given to current OPSEU member applicants.

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.

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