Duty Counsel - Family (12 months)

This position will be situated at the Sudbury Court House with regular travel to Court in Espanola and some travel to Courts located on Manitoulin Island.

To act as Family Duty Counsel in Sudbury and area. The Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment of family law clients to determine the appropriate service for the clients, including but not limited to assisting clients on Enhanced Duty Counsel basis, providing procedural and summary legal advice; drafting, reviewing and commissioning of family court documents and pleadings such as Applications, Answers, Motions, Affidavits and Financial Statements; in court representation at various stages of a family court and/or child protection proceeding; providing client service for family law matters in the courthouse; and other duties as assigned. This position will appeal to a lawyer experienced in a broad range of family proceedings who can effectively navigate the demands of a busy workplace, both in-person and online.

Home Location: Sudbury
Secondary: Espanola and Manitoulin Island (Wikwemikong, Gore By).

Reports to: Manager, Legal Services

• Providing full legal services in the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice
• Maintain conflict lists, record data and produce reports as required
• Travel may be required within the District to assist in satellite courts
• Ensure high quality of legal work in a cost effective manner
• Maintain client files
• Assessment of clients' needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services
• Provide summary legal advice to clients on family law and child protection matters and procedures, both virtually and in person, and acting as the Advice Lawyer
• Oversee the administration and application of financial eligibility tests in accordance with LAO policy and ensuring high quality legal work in a cost effective manner
• Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned and remain adaptable and flexible in a changing environment.
• Provide oral and written advocacy on behalf of clients. This includes providing advice and representation to persons appearing in court without counsel on a court list and assisting in obtaining adjournments as required
• Representation at procedural and non-complex motions
• Attendance and representation at conferences in matters dealing with issues of custody, access, support, child protection, support enforcement and other family law matters
• Review court documents and assist in drafting pleadings and other documents

• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• 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.
• Ability to work independently in a fast paced environment
• Sound legal research skills
• Ability to draft legal documents independently
• Results oriented individual, prepared to assume accountability for files
• Sound judgment and problem solving skills
• Effective assessment of clients' needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services
• Ability to accurately and fluently communicate with clients while providing advice and while representing them in court
• Demonstrated ability to provide sensitive and compassionate client service to vulnerable clients and to those who may be victims of domestic violence
• Demonstrated experience in collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, Divorcemate and Legal Files
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones, and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms to deliver services virtually, i.e. Zoom and Teams

Preferred Skills & Experiences:
• Sound knowledge of Legal Aid Ontario's procedures, processes and policies
• Prior family and CYFSA law experience
• Demonstrated interest in aboriginal legal issues
• Training or advocacy experience in relation to mental health issues


To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.

This position is collectively represented by The Society of United Professionals (The Society) and the successful incumbent will be governed by the provisions of a collective agreement and subject to union dues.

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.

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