Senior Counsel/Manager - Toronto, ON, Canada - Children's Aid Society of Toronto

Description

SENIOR COUNSEL/MANAGER

LEGAL SERVICES BRANCH

Manages and provides ongoing leadership, direction and support, to a team of lawyers to ensure the effective delivery of legal services for the Society. Carries out the duties of staff counsel on assigned matters.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determines work priorities and assigns workload and coverage for team of lawyers. Actively supervises assigned work to ensure accuracy and timely completion of required tasks and documentation.
• Hires, trains, provides administrative supervision and evaluates directly the performance of team members. Provides feedback to the Supervisors overseeing legal support staff (i.e. legal services clerks and court process clerks) for evaluations of their staff, under the direction of the Director of Legal Operations.
• Provides professional guidance and consultation, interpretation and direction on legal issues as required and under the direction of Chief Counsel . Ensures the integration of service principles into the work of team members.
• Participates in the Legal Services Department Management Team, providing input regarding service plans, budgets, policies and procedures and participating as assigned in internal and external committees and workgroups on a variety of issues.
• Provides leadership to promote excellence in the delivery of legal services by team members according to provincial and legislative requirements and professional standards.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication channels with external partners at the assigned court location, through participation on the local "bench and bar" committee and associated workgroups.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication with Branch Management of the assigned branch(es), attending branch management meetings on a planned basis. Engages with the Branch Director to resolve matters that require intervention or escalation.
• Ensures and participates in the delivery of legal training for social work staff.
• Ensures Society's Code of Ethics, Confidentiality, Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism, Harassment & Discrimination policies, etc. are followed and applied by self and team.
• Creates and leads teams that reflect diversity, support differences and encourages different perspectives.
• Uses sound judgment in consideration of financial resources within branch/departmental budget.
• Ensures compliance with Society's financial policies and procedures.
• Works in a safe manner in accordance with the Society health and safety policies and procedures and all relevant legislation.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Laws degree from a university of recognized standing.
• Licensed to practice law by the Law Society of Upper Canada.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional and administrative experience in the practice of law in the Child Protection field.

Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act and Regulations, the rules of evidence and the Family Law Rules.
• Knowledge of the Society's policies and procedures related to the provision of service.
• A thorough knowledge of case preparation, presentation and litigation techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound legal advice and representation in complex matters with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment, to resolve conflict, and to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to work as a team member.

OTHER INFORMATION

Accommodation at CAST

We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants need to make any accommodation requests for the interview or selection process known in advance by contacting the Human Resources Department at x2300. Human Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.

Equity Hiring Strategy and Application Process

The Children's Aid Society of Toronto (CAS of Toronto) is committed to building a skilled workforce that reflects the population of Toronto as well as the diverse communities we serve.

For this specific career opportunity to support our Equity Hiring Strategy , CAS of Toronto is inviting applications from qualified individuals who self-identify as being part of one or more of the following under-represented groups:

• There are no designated under-represented groups at this time for this posting. All are welcome to apply.

During the online application process, applicants will have the opportunity to complete the Employment Equity questionnaire, to indicate if they self-identify as being part of one or more of the above under-represented groups. Answering the questionnaire is voluntary and all responses will be kept confidential and used only for the purposes outlined in this program. If the questionnaire is not completed by an applicant, they will not be considered as being from an equity seeking group.

The information collected will help us identify qualified applicants from the listed under-represented groups for this specific opportunity as part of our Equity Hiring Strategy. In addition, information provided will be used to understand the diversity of candidates that apply to roles within CAS of Toronto. A summary of the responses to this questionnaire will be used to help assess application trends and inform the development of enhanced and future recruitment programs which are equitable and accessible.

Qualified applicants who are interested in this opportunity can apply for position by submitting their application consisting of a cover letter and resume by clicking the Apply button below (at , fax , or mail (30 Isabella Street, 5th Floor) to the attention of Human Resources.

Applications for this position must be received NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM on FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2024.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis throughout the posting period. Early submission is recommended. We thank all applicants for their interest; please note that only those who are under consideration will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $129,661.00-$162,069.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON M4Y 1N1

Application deadline: