Criminal Duty Counsel

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

To provide criminal duty counsel services in Windsor. This role may require travel elsewhere throughout the district on occasion, specifically Chatham.

Criminal Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for criminal law matters in the courthouse in person. Criminal Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment of criminal law clients to determine the appropriate service for those charged with criminal offences, including but not limited to providing procedural and summary legal advice; drafting and reviewing criminal court documents; in court representation at various stages of criminal court proceedings; and other duties as assigned.

Home Position: Windsor Duty Counsel Office
Secondary location: Chatham Duty Counsel Office
Tertiary location: Leamington Court

Reports to: Manager of Legal Services

Key accountabilities

• 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
• Providing in-person and remote summary legal advice (SLA) to clients in or out of custody
• Assisting colleagues in preparation of bail hearings, guilty pleas and other forms of resolutions
• Disclosure review and Crown pre-trial (CPT) negotiations for purposes of resolution
• Assisting clients at Judicial pre-trials when required
• Representing clients in the Ontario Court of Justice in federal, provincial, and youth matters and in remand, bail and plea courts
• Representing clients in specialty courts including Indigenous Persons’ Court, Drug Treatment Court, Mental Health Court

and Youth Courts as required

• Interviewing clients, sureties, and witnesses
• 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
• Punctual attendance at court to perform daily duties
• Providing assistance with legal aid referrals as required
• Facilitating knowledge-sharing and best practices among court locations and staff offices
• Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned and remain adaptable and flexible in a changing environment

Required skills & experience

• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Minimum 2-3 years of demonstrated experience in representing clients with complex legal issues including conducting bails hearings, and guilty pleas
• Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and case law
• Practical understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Communication, presentation and negotiation skills coupled with strong advocacy skills in the Ontario Court of Justice
• Proven judgment and analytical ability to determine appropriate legal remedies
• 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 work independently and unsupervised in a fast-paced environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
• 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)

• Demonstrated proficiency in using computer based file management and data entry systems such as PeopleSoft, DCSW, as well as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Preferred Skill and Experience:

• Command of French in a legal context with the ability to write and speak clearly and effectively is a strong asset.

What do we Offer?

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to enhance employees’ professional and personal well-being, reflecting our values of equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging.

Your health and wellness
Our health and wellness program includes:

• Dental, health and life insurance
• Short-Term Disability and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Permanent employees are eligible for long-term disability insurance
• An employee assistance program (EAP) that offers professional, confidential counselling services to employees and members of their immediate families. The EAP operates programs that address common life issues such as childcare, smoking, financial difficulty, and more.
• Legal Aid Ontario offers a Health Spending Account (HSA) which is an allotment of funds provided by LAO for health and dental expenses, above what the regular plan provides.

Your work-life balance
Employees enjoy generous paid time-off including:

• 17 vacation days at hire,
• Sick days
• Discretionary days
• Three paid days for religious or cultural observances
• Statutory holidays and The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day and Easter Monday

Your career
LAO supports your career development by offering professional development and networking through several programs, including training to support a positive culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB), and lunch and learns to build client service skills

• Informal Employee Networks for staff with shared identities to connect, support each other and build professional networks
• Law Society of Ontario (LSO) accredited training to support learning and professional development for all employees
• EDIB-focused training
• Mentorship programs, including an Indigenous-focused mentorship program

Your future
Employees are eligible to enroll in the defined benefit Public Service Pension Plan which provides financial security during retirement.

How to apply?

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.
Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

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

Equity Statement

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.