Job Description

Competition Number: LAA-22-40
Job Type: Full-time Permanent
Location: Grande Prairie Posting: Internal Competition Ends: September 4, 2022

Who We Are

As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, Legal Aid Alberta provides affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide, with 300 staff and 1,200 private practice lawyers helping people overcome their legal challenges in more than 75 communities across the province.

Who You Are

Working at Legal Aid Alberta means you care about people and empathize with their situation. You have excellent communication skills especially in tough situations. You’re computer-savvy and more organized than anyone you know. Fast-paced work environments give you a rush and you’re always up for a challenge. You love learning new things, solving problems, and can adapt to change quickly. You care deeply about the success of our team and our organization.

Reporting to the Legal Services Manager, some of the key responsibilities include:

• Conduct of assigned files to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the Rules of LAA.
• Duty Counsel representation to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the Rules of LAA.
• Negotiate competent resolutions of files to achieve early, cost-effective and lasting outcomes for clients.
• Negotiate release conditions and/or plea arrangements with Crown counsel for accused.
• Complete and accurate statistical record keeping.
• Compliance with office policy and procedures.
• Participate in performance and staff meetings as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Law degree from a recognized law school.
• An active member of the Law Society of Alberta.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in youth, criminal, family, immigration, and/or litigation practice preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Rules of Court, and youth, criminal, and family law legislation.
• Alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and negotiation skills.
• Excellent understanding of court and tribunal processes, with working knowledge of regional variances.
• Excellent understanding of police and arrest procedures, with working knowledge of regional variances.
• Legal research, writing and drafting, legal analysis, preparation of court documents, and application of law to relevant facts.
• Advocacy, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
• A high level of comfort working with technology and a keen enthusiasm for learning new systems including, computer literacy in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CRM), web-based legal research tools, and other web-based resources.
• Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to manage work in high-pressure and high-conflict situations.
• Ability to investigate facts, identify issues, ascertain organizational objectives, consider alternative solutions, analyze risk and advise clients and/or LAA on the appropriate course of action.
• Ability to build rapport and negotiate effectively with Crown Counsel.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively when working with complex clients.
• Understanding of community resources available to complex clients.

What We Offer

Perks of working with us

• Competitive wage
• RRSP with 8% employer contribution
• Health and dental benefits
• Health and wellness accounts
• Employee assistance program
• Weekends off
• Winter/Christmas closure (paid time off)

How To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@legalaid.ab.ca. Reference competition number LAA -22 -40 or click Apply Now. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Requirements The Successful candidate will be required to provide an acceptable criminal record check.