Legal Aid Worker - Toronto, Canada - Legal Aid Ontario

Legal Aid Ontario

Verified Company

Toronto, 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
This position is responsible for direct litigation support to staff lawyers who represent clients on legal aid certificates.

It includes file management (opening and closing files, docketing and billing on-line); communication with clients, opposing counsel/parties, family court staff and stakeholders; the preparation of correspondence and procedural family court documents and the completion of OCL intake forms and providing information on procedural matters under the direct supervision of a family lawyer in the Toronto North Family Law Service Centre.

The legal aid worker will closely assist lawyers with tasks and administrative duties required to advance certificate matters through the Toronto North Family Law Service Centre.

Home Location:
Toronto North FLSC (45 Sheppard Avenue East, Ste. 106, Toronto)

Secondary Location(s): n/a

Reporting to:
Lawyer Manager, Toronto North - Family Law Service Centre
Key accountabilities

Provide general information by responding to inperson and phone inquiries from clients;
Perform client file management including opening and closing files, maintaining a tickler system, preparing and reviewing correspondence with clients and opposing counsel, organizing files as well as motion, case conference and trial materials and billing files. Responsible for client intake, drafting and referrals of client to other services as required; Liaise with other legal service providers, internal and external, including courtbased services, to ensure seamless client service;
Reception coverage responsibilities including the assessment of a client's needs to determine the appropriate service for the client, including the early identification of vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made, under the supervision of the Lawyer Manager or staff lawyers;
Liaise with shelters and other community agencies;
Liaise with private bar lawyers, Children's Aid Society counsel and workers, Mental Health and other court workers, police and other court staff as directed by the staff lawyer;
Preliminary interviews of clients to gather information about their case; primary contact with clients; field telephone calls from clients, and assist lawyer with client queries, referrals, requests for information, client interviews, etc.;
Procedural court document preparation; assistance with information gathering and correspondence, under the direct supervision of the staff lawyer;
Implement established systems to manage the volume of work, and the ability to compile information for statistical purposes and reporting/analysis;
Demonstrate flexibility in terms of work hours including occasionally working through lunch breaks or past regular work hours; and
Perform other duties as required.

Required skills & experience

Excellent interpersonal, communication and interview skills, and sound judgment for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies;
Resiliency, solutionoriented, possessing a calm temperament; adaptability to working well in a constantly changing environment;
Ability to work well under severe time constraints;
Ability to manage client expectations;
Ability and willingness to work effectively in a team environment;
Solid understanding of court processes, rules and practice directions;
Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Legal Aid Services Act, Family Law Act and Child Support Guidelines, Children's Law Reform Act, Child and Youth Family Services Act, Divorce Act and the Family Law Rules
Aptitude and willingness to work effectively with and be sensitive to the needs of vulnerable clients, particularly clients with mental health issues, survivors of domestic abuse, clients from marginalized communities and clients who have concurrent immigration and/or criminal law matters
Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria in accordance with office procedures and standard formats;
Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures;
An understanding and adherence to discretion and client confidentiality;
Must have competent computer skills and knowledge of the Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Divorcemate;
French language skills (or a second language) would be an asset; and
Diploma or certificate in law practice or courtrelated area required.

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