Staff Lawyer, Special Projects

at  First United

FIRST UNITED is a registered charity that has been serving Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community for nearly 140 years. We offer responsive, low-barrier services to individuals who are low-income, underhoused or homeless. We provide essential services to meet the daily needs of community members and engage in systems change work to reduce homelessness and break cycles of poverty. If you’re looking for purpose-filled work and want to make a difference in the community, this might be the opportunity for you.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking an innovative candidate to join us in this new and dynamic role that aims to provide leadership in law reform and systemic change to advance equity across British Columbia and Canada.
The staff lawyer will provide direct legal services, help to build capacity in our Advocacy program, and support law reform and community-based legal education initiatives within a framework of advancing respectful relations and systemic change.

COMMUNITY-BASED LEGAL EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT

• Delivering legal education workshops and knowledge circles and/or supervising advocates or other staff providing public legal education.
• Attending community events as needed and speaking about First’s legal and systems change work.
• Developing collaborative and respectful relationships with individuals, communities, networks, organizations, Indigenous groups and other constituencies.
• Facilitating community input and conducting interviews with community members
• Other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Understanding of TRC Calls to Action, MMWIG Calls for Justice, and principles of respectful relations
• Proven analytical, research, and written advocacy skills
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Public speaking skills
• Ability to support and supervise staff effectively
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities
• Knowledge of the systemic barriers encountered by people living in the Downtown Eastside including personal and intergenerational trauma, and the criminalization and racialization of poverty

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Holds a law degree and licensed to practice as a lawyer in British Columbia
• At least 3 years of experience as a lawyer, including experience with judicial review applications in British Columbia
• Experience and interest in research and data-based approaches to law is an asset

• In collaboration with the Advocacy program, identifying areas for expanded legal service in areas of critical need.
• Developing legal information tools and resources in expanded legal areas.
• Conducting legal research, including interjurisdictional research.
• Providing training and support for advocates working in these areas.
• In collaboration with Advocacy program staff, identify and report on cases and patterns that invite deeper engagement with systemic legal issues or require legal representation beyond core services.
• Maintain awareness of relevant case law and legislative developments and communicate with team as applicable.