Duty Counsel - Windsor, Canada - Legal Aid Ontario

Legal Aid Ontario

Verified Company

Windsor, Canada

1 week ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

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 and throughout the West district. This role may require travel throughout the district on occasion.

Criminal Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for criminal law matters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person once in person services resume.

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.

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is in the process of developing an organization-wide hybrid workplace model, taking into consideration the range of services and roles performed throughout the organization.

During this development phase, the work of this role is hybrid and structured to provide greater remote work, but some in-person presence will be required.

Home Location:
Windsor

Secondary/Tertiary locations can include:
Leamington

Reports to:
Manager of Legal Services, Essex-Kent, West District
Key accountabilities

Assisting unrepresented clients who have been charged with criminal matters
Representing clients at bail hearings, guilty pleas and remands both inperson and remotely
Assessing clients' needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services.
Providing inperson and remote summary legal advice to clients in or out of custody
Assisting colleagues in preparation of bail hearings, guilty pleas and other forms of resolutions
When appropriate, representing clients in Crown pretrial negotiations for purposes of resolution
Representing clients in specialty courts including Mental Health, Gladue, Domestic Violence, and Youth Courts as required
Ensuring a 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 knowledgesharing 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
Demonstrated experience in representing clients with complex legal issues including conducing bails hearings, and guilty pleas

- experience in representing clients with complex legal issues including conducing bails hearings, guilty pleas and bail reviews.

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 criminal proceedings on immigration, 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 and/or homelessness
Ability to work independently and unsupervised in a fastpaced environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
Demonstrated proficiency in using computer based file management and data entry systems such as PeopleSoft, DCSW, etc as well as Microsoft Office.
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)
Ability and willingness to travel between the district court locations when inperson services resume.
The ability to communicate orally and written in French is strongly preferred

This position is represented by The Society of United Profes