Duty Counsel - Family & Criminal

To provide family and criminal duty counsel services in St. Catharines and throughout the Niagara Region, including Welland. Since this role requires occasional travel, applicants with readily available transportation or an ability to rent a vehicle are preferred.

In Family Law: Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for family law matters at court and through the Family Law Service Centre (“FLSC”), both virtually and in person. Family Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment of family law clients to determine the appropriate service for the clients, including service through duty counsel, referral to enhanced services through the FLSC, legal aid certificate or senior counsel representation. Duty Counsel is responsible for providing services including but not limited to: providing legal advice; drafting, reviewing and commissioning of family court documents and pleadings such as Applications, Answers, Motions to Change, Interim Motions, Default Disputes, Affidavits and Financial Statements; in court representation at various stages of a family court and/or child protection proceedings; supporting per diem duty counsel; maintaining records, and other duties as assigned.

In Criminal Law: Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for criminal law matters, both virtually and in person at the courthouse. 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 service through duty counsel or referrals for legal aid certificate and senior counsel representation. Duty Counsel is responsible for providing services including, but not limited to: providing legal advice; reviewing and drafting criminal court documents; negotiating resolutions with the prosecutor; in-court representation at various stages of criminal court proceedings; supporting per diem duty counsel lawyers; maintaining records, and other duties as assigned.

Experienced candidates may also be assigned to mentor other staff and per diem lawyers, and to represent Duty Counsel/LAO at stakeholder meetings.

Home position: St. Catharines
Secondary/Tertiary locations can include: Welland, other locations in Niagara

• Act as Family and Criminal Duty Counsel, both in person and remotely;
• Ensure a high quality of legal work in a cost effective manner;
• Assess clients’ needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services, including Legal Aid services and community services;
• File management as per LAO requirements including use of computer technology; data input for statistics measurements in a timely manner;
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, case law and court procedure, and facilitating knowledge-sharing and best practices among court locations and staff offices;
• Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned and remaining adaptable and flexible in a changing environment.

FAMILY
• Advocate for clients in court and on court forms;
• Provide advice and 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;
• Review court documents and statements and provide legal advice;
• Provide instructions to Legal Aid Workers and students in preparation of court documents;
• Maintain client files and conflict lists.

CRIMINAL
• Assist unrepresented clients who have been charged with criminal offences;
• Represent clients at bail hearings, guilty pleas, case management appearances and pre-trials;
• Provide summary legal advice to clients in or out of custody;
• Assist colleagues in preparation of bail hearings, guilty pleas and other forms of resolutions;
• Conduct disclosure review, provide legal advice and represent clients in Crown pre-trial (CPTs) negotiations for purposes of resolution;
• Provide assistance and representation in relation to specialized courts, including Mental Health and Drug Treatment Court (MHDTC), and Indigenous Peoples’ Court;
• Assist clients with applications to the MHDTC and various diversion programs, including Extra Judicial Sanctions and Early Intervention Program for youth.

• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario;
• Practical understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct;
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant family law legislation, including child protection law;
• Ability to draft legal documents without need for review;
• Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and case law;
• Knowledge and appreciation of the impact of court proceedings on immigration, criminal, family and other poverty law issues; and the integrated nature of legal issues faced by LAO clients;
• Proven experience in providing excellent client service to vulnerable populations such as racialized communities, Indigenous peoples, youth, victims of domestic violence, and those experiencing disabilities, addictions, mental health challenges and/or homelessness;
• Proven judgment and analytical ability to determine appropriate legal remedies;
• Proven communication, interpersonal, negotiation and advocacy skills;
• Demonstrated patience and compassion;
• Ability to prioritize and complete tasks and manage time wisely with minimal supervision;
• Ability to collaborate and communicate well with colleagues and stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies and video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually (including Zoom, Teams);
• Ability and willingness to travel/access to transportation;
• Ability to communicate in French and/or other languages is 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 be given to current members of the Society of United Professionals.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified. Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

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 résumé 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.