Review Counsel (Criminal)

at  Western University

CLASSIFICATION & REGULAR HOURS

Hours per Week: 35
Salary Grade: $77,110 - $110,050 (Salary commensurate with experience)
This posting will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

ABOUT US

Community Legal Services (CLS) is a Student Legal Services Organization (SLSO) as defined by the Legal Aid Services Act of Ontario (2020). It is a legal clinic within Western Law that provides free legal advice and representation to low income and marginalized members of the London / Middlesex community, as well as Fanshawe College and Western students. Current areas of service include Criminal and Provincial Offences, Housing Law, Civil Litigation (Small Claims Court) and Family Law. CLS also provides public legal education to community members and organizations. We are funded by Legal Aid Ontario, Law Foundation of Ontario, Fanshawe Student Union, Western University Student Council and the Faculty of Law.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• Membership in the Law Society of Ontario (licenced to practice law in Ontario)

Experience:

• 5 years of experience practicing law in a litigation environment
• Extensive litigation practice experience including conduct of trials, motions, and hearings as well as drafting legal documents, facta and forms is preferred
• Experience and ability to supervise students in Criminal Law and Provincial Offences, as well as one or more other areas of practice including but not limited to: housing/landlord and tenant disputes, civil litigation/small claims court, wills and powers of attorney, human rights, family law, academic appeals/offences, WSIB, employment law or immigration or such other area of practice as may be added by the Directors, in consultation with the Dean preferred
• Experience supervising and mentoring law students and providing training at a post-secondary level is preferred
• Experience with legal clinics is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Advocacy skills and knowledge in substantive and procedural areas of law
• Ability to provide guidance to assist others in solving complex problems
• Ability to establish effective routines for excellent communication with all members of the team to maximize productivity
• Verbal communication skills to translate information into easily understood terms, summarize information, and provide a rationale for action
• Positive, outgoing attitude with client service orientation
• Competency to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion
• Ability to handle details with a high degree of accuracy to review and revise legal documentation
• Ability to work well under pressure and handle multiple conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to apply critical thinking to evaluate information and make appropriate decisions or recommendations
• Demonstrated ability in serving low-income clients and persons with disabilities in a respectful and sensitive manner
• Cross-cultural competency with an ability to interact and work effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds
• Ability and willingness to employ a consultative and collaborative approach to addressing issues and making decisions
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
• Familiarity with Legal Aid and its mandates and structures
• Ability to work both independently, taking initiative and following through on work assignments, and effectively as a member of the team to achieve clinic goals
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures is an asset

The Review Counsel provides comprehensive and detailed supervision, mentorship, and evaluation of law students working in the Community Legal Services (CLS) legal clinic as summer students, volunteers, or for course credit in accordance with CLS, Western University policies and procedures, and the Law Society of Ontario Rules of Professional Conduct. Review Counsel supervises all file work and provision of legal sevices, done by students, for clients of the clinic, including advocacy, file management, legal research, legal problem solving, negotiations and professional ethics. Review Counsel ensures the effective and efficient delivery of education and training to students, primarily in the area of Criminal and Provincial offences law but may also overlap into other areas of legal service offered by the clinic. Review Counsel also supports the work of the clinic in community outreach, advocacy projects and public legal education initiatives.