In-House Legal Counsel

at  Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child Family Services

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree, LL.B. or Juris Doctor plus one year of articling and six months bar admission courses, combined with a minimum of two to three (2-3) years’ experience in litigation and in Family Law with some exposure to Child Welfare Law.
• A member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Experience working within Child Welfare and/or Indigenous Child-Wellbeing setting would be considered an asset.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

• A good working knowledge of community services within the Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services catchment area and surrounding areas to assist in service provision.
• Sound knowledge of relevant legislative framework and polices reflecting current child welfare practice.
• Sound knowledge of the case law, i.e., judicial decisions regarding the above legislation.
• Strong knowledge of Indigenous service delivery, culture and traditions in responding to child welfare concerns.
• Good knowledge of court procedures and evidence including both the Canada and Ontario Evidence Act.
• A good working knowledge of community services within the Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services catchment area and surrounding areas to assist in service provision.
• A solid understanding of and sensitivity to the experiences of First Nations and Indigenous peoples in Canada, and the impact of the legacy of Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop upon them is essential.
• Ability and Skill Requirements:
• Capacity to integrate Indigenous knowledge and practices into legal services while practicing cultural humility, recognizing and addressing one’s own biases, and continually learning from Indigenous communities
• Skilled in navigating and challenging systemic barriers to ensure equitable treatment and services.
• Ability to make sound decisions in high-pressure situations, balancing legal requirements with cultural considerations and an anti-oppressive lens.
• Strong problem-solving skills and conflict resolution, with the capacity to develop innovative solutions that respect Indigenous values and community needs.
• Written communication skills to prepare correspondence, draft court documentation, and write legal opinions, draft contracts, etc.
• Excellent verbal and communication skills to relay information to workers, service recipients, other Lawyers, and in particular, when presenting arguments to the Judge in a court setting.
• Negotiation and decision-making skills to negotiate settlements in court cases, to determine course of action during court hearings and to mediate between social
• work and legal professions.
• Research skills to research points of law, both in court proceedings and in providing day-to-day legal advice to the Agency.
• Organizational skills to effectively prepare and implement the presentation of a case in court.
• Skilled in teaching others through the facilitation of training and development sessions and the development of resources and tools.
• Interpersonal skills to interact with different disciplines, frequently in a setting where there are conflicting interests (e.g., unwilling witnesses, irate parents, etc.)
• Management skills to manage services, including assignment of court cases and delegation of work to support staff, ensuring consistency in the provisions of legal services.
• Strong technical aptitude and skilled in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), data bases and reporting tools.
• Monitor performance of support staff and develop work plans.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Provide an acceptable Canadian Police Information Centre Check (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS).
• Able to provide a safe vehicle for use on the job, an acceptable Driver’s Abstract, evidence of a valid Ontario Driver’s License and of Personal Liability & Property Damage insurance coverage for at least $2,000,000.00.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours including weekends, evenings and holidays as required.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

In reporting to the Legal Services Manager, the In-House Legal Counsel represents the Agency in all matters prescribed with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, The Federal Legislation, the Children’s Law Reform Act, the Family Law Rules, and any other relevant legislation.
The In-House Legal Counsel understands the importance of seeking alternative approaches outside of the legal system that will result in preserving relationships, protecting cultural identity and promoting healing. The incumbent provides advice and guidance that respects the rights and well-being of Indigenous children, youth and families and supports solutions that reduce reliance on formal court processes and contributes to positive and sustainable outcomes.

OTHER DUTIES

As assigned by the Legal Services Manager or designate.