Legal Counsel (24 months)

Job Location: Toronto

Job Category: Legal

Job Classification: SL

Role Designation: Flexible Hybrid - In person days can be flexible from week to week subject to manager approval and operational requirements.

Open Positions: 1

Posting Date: January 24, 2025

Closing Date: February 6, 2025

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.

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.

Primary function

As Legal Counsel in LAO’s General Counsel Office (GCO) the successful candidate will join GCO’s Litigation and Regulatory Affairs (LRA) team, comprised of senior counsel and legal counsel, in delivering advice and representation to LAO in a wide range of matters including: litigation brought by and against LAO in various courts and tribunals; roster management proceedings; professional responsibility and ethics matters; investigations matters; lien matters; interpretation and application of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 (LASA 2020), the Rules and Policies; drafting and revision of Rules and Policies where appropriate; supporting consultation and external engagement under LASA 2020 and LAO’s Public Consultation Policy when LAO is proposing changes to Rules or Policies; legal compliance related to all applicable statutes and government directives; responding to queries and requests from all parts of LAO.

Key accountabilities

1. Prepare and provide strategic legal advice to the organization.
2. Carriage of and support for litigation files, including developing litigation strategies, legal research and drafting, reviewing pleadings, supporting mediation and settlement discussions; representing LAO before courts and tribunals; and providing instructions to external counsel.
3. Support GCO in its responsibility for overseeing the development and implementation of Rules and Policies under LASA 2020, including by identifying the need for new or revised rules where appropriate, monitoring compliance with Rules and Policies, and providing advice on the requirements and application of LAO’s Public Consultation Policy.
4. Provide advice, drafting where required, and recommendations to the Board for approval of and amendments to Rules and Policies.
5. Support the CEO in their role as Ethics Executive.
6. Provide legal advice to internal departments.

Required skills & experience

1. Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
2. Demonstrated substantive legal knowledge in the areas of employment law, civil procedure, administrative law, human rights law, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
3. In depth knowledge of LASA 2020, LAO’s Rules and Policies, financial eligibility and legal coverage policies and procedures, and the Public Service of Ontario Act.
4. Knowledge of justice sector issues and issues impacting LAO’s clients and service providers.
5. Practice experience in employment, administrative and human rights law considered an asset.
6. Practice experience in areas of law where legal aid coverage is provided, including criminal, family, child protection and immigration and refugee law, considered an asset.
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
8. Excellent research and legal drafting skills.
9. Sound judgment and strong analytic and problem solving skills.
10. Ability to identify legal and reputational risk and propose options to address risk, and provide legal and strategic advice to clients.
11. Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
12. Ability to take ownership over work assignments, manage competing priorities and work with minimum supervision.
13. Proficiency in the use of computers, including proficiency with legal software applications, Microsoft suite of programs including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

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.