Job Title

How to Apply To apply submit a cover letter & rsum. Company Bio Legal 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. It''''s 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 Function To provide duty counsel services at the New Toronto Courthouse, Toronto Regional Bail Centre or the Toronto South Detention Centre. The individual selected for this position will rotate between these locations and any other locations in the City of Toronto where criminal duty counsel services are provided. A high-volume of clients with complex and varying needs seek criminal duty counsel services in Toronto, making for a demanding and challenging work environment for duty counsel staff. This position will appeal to a lawyer with experience in a broad range of criminal proceedings who can effectively navigate the demands of a dynamic and sometimes hectic workplace. The preferred candidate will be a self-starter with substantial criminal law experience in the private or public sector who is familiar with LAO criminal duty counsel services. This position is a designated bilingual position, candidates must be able to provide legal services in both English and French. Home location: Ontario Court of Justice Toronto, 10 Armoury Street Secondary/Tertiary locations: the Toronto Regional Bail Centre at 2201 Finch Avenue West and the Toronto South Detention Centre at 160 Horner Avenue. Reporting to: Manager, Legal Services Key Accountabilities Provide high quality legal services in a cost effective manner. Represent clients for bail hearings, guilty pleas and remands both in-person and remotely. Courageous advocacy on behalf of clients who are often dealing with mental health issues, poverty, racism and homelessness. Liaise with stakeholders, including detention center staff, police division staff, Crown Attorneys, court staff and community agencies. Assist self-represented clients charged with criminal or quasi-criminal matters. Assess clients needs in order to make referrals to appropriate community services. This includes the early identification of vulnerable clients to proactively offer referrals to support services. Provide legal advice to clients in or out of custody. Represent clients in specialty courts including Mental Health, Gladue, Domestic Violence, Drug Treatment, and Youth courts as required. When appropriate, represent clients in Crown pre-trial negotiations for purposes of resolution. Maintain up-to-date knowledge about criminal law and practice. Timely file management, as per LAO requirements (this includes using computer technology, smartphones and required software). Data collection, including timely recording of services provided. Remain adaptable and flexible in a changing environment. Identify and communicate risks to LAO. Punctual attendance at court or online to perform daily duties. Certificate referrals and referrals to other LAO services, as required. Facilitate knowledge-sharing and best practices amongst colleagues. Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned. Required Skills & Experience Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. Fluency in both English and French. Practical understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and relevant case-law. Previous experience in criminal law and strong advocacy skills in the Ontario Court of Justice. Experience representing clients with complex legal issues, including representing clients for bail hearings and guilty pleas. Trial experience and experience conducting bail reviews is considered an asset. Clientfocused with excellent problemsolving skills and sound judgement. Experience working with marginalized and vulnerable clients. Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fastpaced environment. Ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures. Strong interpersonal skills ability to work in a large team setting, relate to other staff and manage through conflict. Excellent communication skills. Capability with LAO programs including the Duty Counsel Worksheet (Service Integration), PeopleSoft and Legal Aid Online. Capability with Microsoft 365 programs (Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel) and other computerbased programs such as Zoom, JVN and Skype. Preferred Skills & Experiences Significant criminal law court experience. Welldeveloped interview skills including a proven ability to identify vulnerable clients in order to provide appropriate service and referrals. Proven ability to document client files including advice to clients and instructions. Prior training, advocacy experience or demonstrated interest, in mental health, Indigenous, addictions, homelessness and youth issues. Proven ability to exercise sound judgment particularly when dealing with stressful situations. Knowledge and appreciation of the impact of criminal proceedings on immigration, family and other poverty law issues and the integrated nature of criminal issues faced by LAO clients. Capacity to help train and mentor new staff/students. Knowledge of LAOs operations and mandate. Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including Smartphones. Demonstrated commitment to social justice. French language, or other language skills is considered an asset. What We Offer At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal wellbeing. We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that includes dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, and ShortTerm Disability (STD). Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid timeoff policy, including vacation days, sick days, discretionary days, and statutory holidays. Employees are eligible to be enrolled to the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), administered by the Ontario Pension Board (OPB). Equity Statement Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equityseeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Mtis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, 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. Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team. Contact & Application Support 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 biweekly 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. 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 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 18774277717 or email support: [email protected]. FrenchLanguage Content (Avocate ou avocat de service Droit criminel) Le personnel dAide juridique Ontario est dtermin faire une diffrence dans la vie de ses clients. En tant que partenaire part entire du systme de justice, Aide juridique Ontario (AJO) offre ses employs plus quun emploi. Elle offre loccasion daider les personnes qui en ont le plus besoin en faisant en sorte que chaque client reoive laccs la justice que leur confre la loi. Si Vous Cherchez Ajouter Un Nouveau Dfi Une Carrire Dj Enrichissante, Au Sein Dune quipe uvrant En Faveur De La Justice Par Des Moyens Innovants Dans Un Milieu Positif Offrant Des Modalits De Travail Souples, Songez Aux Possibilits nonces Cidessous. Sommaire du poste: Fournir des services davocat de service au nouveau palais de justice de Toronto, au Centre rgional de cautionnement de Toronto et au Centre de dtention du Sud de Toronto. La personne choisie pour ce poste alternera entre ces emplacements et tout autre emplacement de la ville de Toronto o des services davocats de service en droit criminel sont fournis. Un grand nombre de clients ayant des besoins complexes et varis font appel aux services davocats de service en droit criminel Toronto, ce qui cre un milieu de travail exigeant et difficile pour le personnel davocats de service. La personne retenue devra avoir une vaste exprience dans les diffrentes procdures criminelles et tre capable de grer efficacement les exigences dun environnement de travail dynamique et parfois trs occup. Le candidat prfr sera un dbutant qui possde une vaste exprience du droit criminel dans le secteur priv ou public et une bonne connaissance des services davocat de service en droit criminel dAJO. Il sagit dun poste dsign bilingue. Les candidats doivent tre en mesure de fournir des services juridiques en franais et en anglais. Lieu de travail principal: Cour de justice de lOntario Toronto, 10, rue Armoury. Lieu de travail secondaire et tertiaires peuvent comprendre le Centre rgional de cautionnement de Toronto, situ au 2201, avenue Finch Ouest, et le Centre de dtention du Sud de Toronto, situ au 160, avenue Horner. Superviseur immdiat: Gestionnaire des services juridiques. Fonctions (French) Fournir des services juridiques de haute qualit de manire efficiente. Reprsenter les clients aux enqutes sur le cautionnement, aux plaidoyers de culpabilit et pour les ordonnances de dtention, en personne ou distance. Dfendre courageusement les intrts des clients ayant souvent des problmes de sant mentale, de racisme, de pauvret et ditinrance. Communiquer avec les parties prenantes, y compris le personnel des centres de dtention, le personnel des services de police, les procureurs de la Couronne, le personnel des tribunaux et les organismes communautaires. Aider les personnes non reprsentes qui sont accuses dinfractions criminelles ou quasicriminelles. valuer les besoins des clients afin de les aiguiller vers les services communautaires appropris. Cela comprend le reprage prcoce des clients vulnrables afin de les orienter de faon proactive vers des services de soutien. Donner des conseils juridiques aux clients dtenus ou en libert. Reprsenter les clients aux tribunaux spcialiss, notamment aux tribunaux de traitement des affaires de la sant mentale, Gladue, de la violence familiale, de la toxicomanie et de la jeunesse, au besoin. Sil y a lieu, reprsenter les clients aux ngociations avec la Couronne avant le procs en vue dun rglement. Maintenir jour ses connaissances en matire de droit criminel et des pratiques dans ce domaine. Grer les dossiers conformment aux exigences dAJO, y compris lutilisation de la technologie informatique, des tlphones intelligents et des logiciels requis. Recueillir des donnes, notamment en enregistrant les services fournis dans les dlais impartis. Rester apte sadapter un milieu de travail changeant. valuer et communiquer les risques AJO. Se prsenter ponctuellement au tribunal ou en ligne pour effectuer les tches quotidiennes. Renvois pour certificats et orientation vers dautres services dAJO, au besoin. Faciliter les changes de connaissances et de pratiques exemplaires entre collgues. Autres tches au besoin. Exigences (French) Membre en rgle du Barreau de lOntario. Matrise de langlais et du franais. Connaissance pratique des rgles de dontologie. Connaissance approfondie du Code criminel du Canada, de la Charte canadienne des droits et liberts, de la Loi rglementant certaines drogues et autres substances, de la Loi sur le systme de justice pnale pour les adolescents, des procdures en droit criminel et des rgles sur la preuve et de la jurisprudence. Exprience antrieure en droit criminel et une solide aptitude plaider la Cour de justice de lOntario. Exprience de la reprsentation de clients qui ont des problmes juridiques complexes, y compris la reprsentation de clients dans le cadre denqutes sur le cautionnement et de plaidoyers de culpabilit. Lexprience en matire de procs et dexamen des mises en libert sous caution constitue un atout. Souci du client, excellentes comptences en rsolution de problmes et bon jugement. Exprience de travail avec des clients marginaliss et vulnrables. Capacit de travailler de faon autonome et en quipe dans un environnement trs occup. Capacit apprendre et sadapter de nouvelles politiques et procdures. Excellentes aptitudes interpersonnelles capacit de travailler dans une grande quipe, dtablir des liens avec dautres employs et de grer des conflits. Excellentes comptences en communications. Capacit utiliser les programmes dAJO, y compris le Registre des services des avocats de service (intgration des services), PeopleSoft et le site Aide juridique en ligne. Capacit utiliser le programme Microsoft 365 (Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint et Excel) et dautres programmes informatiques tels que Zoom, JVN et Skype. Comptences Et Exprience Prfrables (French) Exprience importante dans les tribunaux criminels. Solides aptitudes pour mener des entrevues, ainsi quune capacit dmontre effectuer un reprage prcoce des clients vulnrables pour fournir les services et lorientation vers les services appropris. Capacit dmontre documenter les dossiers des clients, y compris les conseils aux clients et les instructions de ces derniers. Formation antrieure, exprience de la dfense des droits ou intrt manifeste pour les questions lies la sant mentale, aux Autochtones, la toxicomanie, litinrance et aux adolescents. Aptitude dmontre dexercer son jugement particulirement lors de situations stressantes. Connaissance et comprhension de limpact des instances de droit criminel sur limmigration, la famille et les problmes relatifs la pauvret ainsi que du caractre intgr des problmes juridiques auxquels font face les clients dAJO. Capacit de contribuer la formation et au mentorat des nouveaux employs et tudiants. Connaissance des activits et du mandat dAJO. Capacit manifeste utiliser les dernires technologies en matire de communication notamment les tlphones intelligents. Engagement dmontr en matire de justice sociale. Matrise du franais ou dune autre langue constitue un atout. Ce Que Nous Offrons (French) Aide juridique Ontario, nous nous engageons favoriser un environnement de travail positif et gratifiant pour nos employs. Notre vaste ventail davantages sociaux reflte cet engagement et est conu pour amliorer le bientre professionnel et personnel. Nous offrons un programme complet de sant et de bientre qui comprend une assurance dentaire, une assurance maladie et une assurancevie, ainsi quune assurance de base en cas de dcs ou de mutilation par accident et une assurance invalidit de courte dure. Les employs dAide juridique Ontario bnficient galement dune politique gnreuse en matire de congs pays, des jours de maladie, des jours discrtionnaires et des jours fris. Les employs sont admissibles au Rgime de retraite de la fonction publique (RRFP), administr par la Commission du rgime de retraite de lOntario (CRRO). Comment Postuler (French) Les personnes qui dsirent poser leur candidature doivent envoyer un curriculum vit et une lettre de motivation. Ce poste est syndiqu, reprsent par la Society of United Professionals et la candidate ou le candidat slectionn devra se soumettre aux dispositions de la convention collective; les cotisations syndicales seront retenues la source toutes les deux semaines compter de lentre en fonction. La prfrence sera accorde aux avocates et avocats membres de la Society of United Professionals. Nous ne communiquerons qu la personne convoque lentretien. Equity Statement (French) La mise en place dun personnel refltant la diversit des communauts que nous servons, tout en dveloppant un lieu de travail ax sur la scurit qui limine les barrires systmiques, favorise de nouvelles perspectives et considre les diffrences comme une ncessit constitue un pilier des valeurs fondamentales dAJO. AJO encourage les candidatures des membres des groupes en qute dquit, notamment et sans sy limiter, les membres des Premires Nations, les Mtis, les Inuits, les Noirs, les membres des communauts racialises ainsi que les personnes handicapes, les femmes et les membres de la communaut 2SLGBTQ+. Nous sommes conscients de la valeur de lquit, de la diversit et linclusion et nous sommes dtermins lutter pour llimination des obstacles systmiques et recruter et retenir un personnel diversifi. La candidature de toutes les personnes intresses et qualifies sera considre, en prenant dment en considration tous les motifs protgs par le Code des droits de la personne de lOntario. Aide juridique Ontario attache une grande valeur lintgrit, au respect, la rceptivit, lexcellence, lindpendance, limputabilit, la transparence et la cohrence. Notre procdure de recrutement est conforme notre engagement envers la diversit et linclusion. Des accommodements sont faits au long du processus ainsi que pendant lemploi AJO. Veuillez adresser toute demande dadaptation notre quipe de recrutement. #J-18808-Ljbffr