Duty Counsel, Criminal - French Bilingual

at  Legal Aid Ontario

Union: The Society
Job Number: J0624-0329
Job Title: Duty Counsel, Criminal - French Bilingual (12 months)
Job Type: Contract
Contract Duration: 12 months
City, Province, Country: Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Job Location: Cornwall
Job Category: Legal
Role Designation:
LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.
Open Positions: 1
Posting Date: June 12, 2024
Closing Date: June 27, 2024
Salary: $90,186.96 - $154,117.41/Year
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.
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 equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, 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.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Act as Criminal Duty Counsel
• Representing clients both in-person and remotely
• Ensure high quality of legal work in a cost effective manner
• File management as per LAO requirements including use of computer technology; data input for statistics measurements in a timely manner

Criminal law:

• Assisting unrepresented clients who have been charged with criminal matters
• Representing clients at bail hearings, guilty pleas and remands both in-person and remotely
• Assessing clients’ needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services.
• Provide criminal law services as defense counsel in the Ontario Court of Justice
• Providing assistance and representation at federal, provincial, and youth, remand, bail and plea courts, including specialty courts (Drug Treatment Court / Mental Health Court / Gladue Court)
• Providing summary legal advice (SLA)
• Interviewing clients, sureties, and witnesses
• Disclosure review and Crown pre-trials meetings
• Assisting with various motions and hearings (may include trials), including judicial pre-trials
• Preparing and arguing bail hearings
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Advanced French language skills: ability to read, write and speak fluently in a legal context
• Practical understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Proven interpersonal, communication, presentation and negotiation skills coupled with strong advocacy skills
• Proven judgment and analytical ability to determine appropriate legal remedies and demonstrated research skills
• Knowledge and appreciation of 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, First Nations, youth and those experiencing mental health or addiction challenges or victims of domestic violence and/or homelessness
• Ability to communicate with accuracy and fluency when speaking with clients and providing advice, as well as when representing clients in court.
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised in a busy environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
• Ability to work as a team with other Legal Aid Workers, staff lawyers, and per diem Duty Counsel
• Sound knowledge and understanding of Legal Aid Ontario’s operations and mandate
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually (Zoom/Teams)
• Intermediary knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Ability and willingness to travel between the district court locations when in-person services resume.

Criminal law

• Sound knowledge and experience of all legislation related to criminal law.
• Demonstrated experience in representing clients with complex legal issues including conducing bails hearings, and guilty pleas, remands and youth court.
• Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and case law

Preferred Skills & Experiences

• Sound Knowledge of Legal Aid Ontario’s operations and mandate
• Prior criminal 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.
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.
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 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.

Please refer the Job description for details