Staff Lawyer - Detention (24 months)

Job Title: Staff Lawyer - Detention (24 months)

Job Type: Contract

Contract Duration (months): 24 months

Job Location: Toronto

Job Category: Legal

Role Designation: LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.

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.

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 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.

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.

Primary function

This position supports LAO’s Immigration Detention Representation Program (IDRP), managed out of the Refugee Law Offices in Toronto and Hamilton. This position will provide direct legal representation to persons in immigration detention or who are at risk of being placed in immigration detention in Ontario. Representation is before the Immigration and Refugee Board (Immigration Division), the Federal Courts and the Superior Court as required. This position works in collaboration with other multidisciplinary staff at the RLO, provides mentorship as required to private bar members of the IDRP, and supports strategic litigation priorities related to immigration detention.

We are seeking an individual who is passionate about advocating for the liberty interests of persons in immigration detention, and we welcome candidates who are interested in developing their skills in this area, including junior lawyers. The ideal candidate is able to work co-operatively with other staff in a high-pressure but supportive team-based environment. The individual should demonstrate empathy towards, and a commitment to, immigrants and refugees, and be able to assume a varied and complex detention caseload. This is a full-time, permanent position.

Services are currently being provided both virtually and on-site, with minimal "on-site" supervision. Presently most Immigration Division tribunal appearances are virtual; however, in-person appearances may also be necessary. In-person appearances may also be required at the Federal Court. At times it may be necessary to meet with clients in person at provincial jails and/or an Immigration Holding Centre. Flexibility is required based on operational needs.

Home Position: Toronto
Secondary/Tertiary locations can include: Hamilton RLO, Federal Court, provincial jails and/or an Immigration Holding Centre
Reporting to: Manager, Refugee Law Office, Toronto

Key accountabilities

• Representing immigration detainees at detention reviews and providing summary legal advice to immigration detainees;
• Representing immigration detainees in Federal Court and Superior Court matters related to detention issues;
• Assisting management with the administration of the IDRP as required;
• Providing mentorship to RLO lawyers and paralegals, and IDRP private bar lawyers, on immigration detention matters;
• Assisting with the supervision of non-lawyer staff on immigration detention matters;
• Participating in legal education and test case initiatives related to immigration detention matters;
• Participating in data collecting, docketing, and producing reports, as required;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Required skills & experience

• Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario;
• Demonstrated commitment to assisting vulnerable persons with precarious immigration status and related experiences of marginalization, including those with mental health and addiction challenges, and involvement with Canada’s criminal justice system;
• Sensitivity and understanding towards those with mental health and addictions challenges.

Preferred skills & experience

• Training and mentorship experience in a legal setting is an asset;
• Lived experience as an immigrant and/or within immigrant and refugee communities is an asset;
• Ability to communicate in languages other than English is an asset;
• Knowledge of word processing and videoconferencing technologies, including MS Teams, Word, and Adobe PDF.

To apply, submit a cover letter & résumé.

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 the date of hire.

First preference will be given to current members of The Society of United Professionals.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.

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.

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), is an independent but publicly funded and publicly accountable non-profit corporation. None of this material may be commercially reproduced, but copying for other purposes, with credit, is encouraged.