Job Description

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
This position is responsible for supporting the mandate of the Eastern District. The Legal Aid Worker (LAW) works with their manager, staff lawyers, and other LAWs to provide direct client service and administrative support in a busy district office and/or courthouse environment. The LAW will be required to conduct intake interviews with clients, perform ongoing case management, participate in community and stakeholder outreach, and assist staff lawyers and per diem duty counsel with the provision of direct client service. The LAW will also help support and implement Legal Aid Ontario initiatives and priorities.
This position is primarily based out of Napanee District Office, but travel may be required to other locations within the Eastern District.
Key accountabilities
Intake

• Triage and assess client needs, including early identification of vulnerable clients, to determine the appropriate service for clients and make referrals to appropriate services.
• Provide general information, including procedural legal information on the status of legal aid applications, appeals, and referrals.
• Perform intake by interviewing clients (in-person, phone, video) to gather necessary information (case history) required for decision making.
• Attend provincial and federal institutions to complete in-person client intake and provide other related assistance
• Make entitlement decisions (including ongoing eligibility) based on LAOaEUR(TM)s financial and legal eligibility policies and guidelines. This would include complex client and legal/financial matters.
• Prepare and process contribution agreements and related legal directions.

Client Management

• Communicate with and respond to clients, lawyers, and other legal system partners in-person, by phone, video, and through written correspondence.
• Perform file management activities including review, analysis, and decision making on change of solicitor applications and requests for additional services (authorizations, travel, backdates).
• Coordinate and process area committee matters including client appeals and Section 28 Legal Aid Services Act matters, by scheduling, preparing, and processing decisions. This includes assisting with Provincial Office appeals.
• Act as liaison between Area Committee members and the district.
• Act as liaison between the Provincial Court of Appeal and the district.
• Coordinate decision making with other LAO departments and services (i.e. complaints, non-resident matters).
• Coordinate settlement conferences and family case management conferences as necessary.

Communications and Outreach

• Perform outreach with stakeholders including clinics and other community agencies to promote and expand service co-ordination opportunities. This may include attending local stakeholder meetings.
• Liaise with private bar lawyers, duty counsel, mental health workers, and other court workers and administrative staff.
• Identify and elevate issues/service trends/community events and seek guidance from management when necessary.

Direct Client Services

• Provide services in courthouse locations as needed including client intake and supporting duty counsel/staff lawyer services.
• Assist clients with drafting and service of family law documents under the supervision of duty counsel/staff lawyer.
• Assist duty counsel/staff lawyer by triaging/screening clients and provide clients with public legal information including procedural legal information.
• Assist clients/duty counsel with bail hearing process (i.e. interview sureties).
• Assist clients/duty counsel with routine administrative matters (i.e. adjournments).
• Provide supports for clients receiving representation through staff lawyer services.

Administrative Supports

• Support panel management including new empanelment, panel additions, mentorship program, and panel removals.
• Coordinate domestic violence authorization program including assisting with the facilitation of training and other domestic violence strategy initiatives.
• Support and assist with administrative functions (duty counsel scheduling, approving duty counsel accounts, and collecting/compiling information for statistics/performance measures).
• Provide general administrative support (mail, faxes, worklists, email correspondence, courier, supplies, etc.).
• Assist with the training and development of other district staff including cross-training of duties to ensure coverage for staff absences.
• Provide services at multiple locations/courthouses/institutions as required within the district (travel will be required).
• Perform other duties as required (this may include assisting with special projects and project implementation).

Required skills & experience

• Prior experience in similar or related role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies with the proven ability to exercise judgment when encountering stressful situations including the early identification of vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made.
• Ability and willingness to appear in court on behalf of clients under the supervision of staff and managing counsel.
• Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment to client service and relationship building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Possess experience in criminal court setting and some knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Criminal Code of Canada.
• Possess significant knowledge of LAO priorities, policies and procedures.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including familiarity and competence with proper maintenance of client data base, computer information databases such as PeopleSoft.
• Well-developed interview skills.
• Ability to communicate in French is an asset.
• Ability to maintain detailed functional and theoretical knowledge of legal aid application processing rules and procedures.
• Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria and to generate certificates in accordance with office procedures and standard formats.
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including smartphones, tablets, and videoconference systems.
• Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs; Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Must have clear CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre).
• Access to a vehicle and willingness to travel within the Eastern District.

This is position is collectively represented by Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and will be subject to all terms of the collective agreement once ratified.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.
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 a position with Legal Aid Ontario? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position.
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Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.
Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.
Equity Statement
Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available upon request.
Legal Aid Ontario encourages applicants from equity seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Metis descent, persons with disabilities, women, members of racialized communities and the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We recognize the value of diversity, equity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and 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.