Staff Lawyer, PLC Victoria P014-24

COMPETITION NO: P014-24

DATE POSTED: April 30, 2024

STARTING DATE: ASAP

SALARY CLASSIFICATION: Maximum Year Call 14

SALARY: Based on year of call - $70,931.93 (Yr1) to $135,907.07 (Yr14) + 10% Staff Lawyer Benefit Plan (As per the PEA Salary Schedule)

Legal Aid BC is in the early stages of, and committed to a transformative journey to embedding Truth, Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all aspects of our work. We seek talent from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis descent, persons with diverse abilities, gender diverse, racialized, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community be a part of this exciting stage of Legal Aid BC’s growth. We care deeply about the culture we are building and are looking for staff members who not only excel in their respective areas but are also passionate about supporting the people we serve and each other. If this resonates with you, we encourage you to apply. All interested and eligible applicants will be considered with due consideration to all protected grounds under the BC Human Rights Code. If we can do anything to make your application experience a positive and equitable one, we want to hear from you on what we can do better.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Reporting to the Managing Lawyer or Excluded Manager, this position works within the context of Legal Aid BC (LABC) policies and is responsible for providing legal counsel and representation, including duty counsel, in the full range of family law practice including separation, divorce, guardianship/access, property division and child protection matters. This position works collaboratively with community advocates in developing legal services, programs and law reform.

The following job duties are illustrative examples, and shall not be construed as an exhaustive description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

VALUES STATEMENT:

Our commitment to the principles of fundamental justice embedded in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and to Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is ambitious and foundational. It informs everything we do, as we defend liberty, equality, autonomy, and dignity; as we dismantle colonization, racism, sexism, transphobia and homophobia, and all discrimination. These are our values, and they inform our hiring practices too. Our business is aiding people in severe legal distress and necessitates internal and external alignment of practicing these values. Integrating Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion throughout every aspect of Legal Aid BC is critical to building that culture, and we prioritize ongoing resources to achieve that goal.

DUTIES:

• Provides family/child protection law services including summary legal advice and information to clients and individual case representation, and provides duty counsel services in courts as assigned.
• Conducts legal research and prepares required documents.
• Develops solutions to family problems and acts for clients in all family matters at hearings, trials and appeals in all levels of BC Courts.
• Discusses, negotiates, and resolves case matters by working with opposing lawyers, judges, witnesses and police as appropriate.
• Provides day to day supervision and work direction including performance planning, coaching and feedback sessions to support staff.
• Attends Court User Meetings as related to their practice area. Develops and delivers public legal education in family/child protection law as required and time permits.
• Collaborates with community advocates through the exchange of information and assistance with LABC work and law reform work.
• Builds relationships and partnerships with Indigenous community by attending community cultural events and conferences etc. to network, raise awareness of LABC and services, present information and identify community needs.
• Assists in the development and delivery workshops to train band members, Chiefs and Councils and community members (intermediaries and the public) on a variety of issues related to their needs including Child Protection, Family Law Act, and mediation as required.
• Provide advice on service issues, policy development, pilot projects, and local practices in the Region.
• Provide assistance to the LABC Audit and Investigation Department as required.
• Meet time keeping, file management, and monthly reporting requirements as set out by LABC.
• Develop partnerships and effective working relationships with the private bar and other justice system participants in the Region.
• Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Basic requirements

• A degree from a Law School of recognized standing and membership or eligibility for membership in the Law Society of British Columbia.
• Experience as per job posting year of call requirements, in general practice with an emphasis on family and child protection law.
• Experience supervising support staff.
• Experience at Provincial and Supreme Court levels involving the full range of family and child protection law issues.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position requires some travel:

• A valid BC driver’s license is required.
• Must be willing and able to travel throughout BC.

• Knowledge of family and child protection law and practice.
• Ability to understand and apply LABC Policy and Procedures.
• Experience and interest in Public Legal Education (PLE).
• Ability to develop resourceful solutions to legal problems of clients and competing claims.
• Ability to aggressively assert the rights of persons in family law matters at Provincial and Supreme Court levels.
• Demonstrate solid legal analyses of client issues.
• Ability to work with, negotiate, discuss and resolve matters with opposing lawyers, witnesses, police and Judges as appropriate.
• Ability to make effective courtroom presentations.
• Demonstrate strong problem solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to handle heavy workload demands and meet deadlines.
• Ability to carry a caseload and close a specified number of files annually in accordance with standard requirements.
• Ability to handle a high stress environment with multiple tasks running simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
• Must have a proven record of success as a lawyer.
• Must be willing to maintain time keeping and file management requirements in a timely manner.
• Proficiency in computer skills and a good understanding of utilizing new technologies in a dynamic work environment.
• Familiarity with administrative principles, practices, policies, and legislative developments relevant to Indigenous programs, services, and activities.
• Awareness of government laws and policies impacting Indigenous peoples.
• Ability to communicate and establish rapport with Indigenous people and their communities, demonstrating sensitivity to cultural and Nation differences.
• Understanding of Indigenous issues, cultures, history, Indigenous community groups and agencies, and current challenges facing Indigenous communities.
• Knowledge of traditional Indigenous justice concepts, alternative measures, mediation, and diversion practices.
• Demonstrated awareness of cultural diversity issues within the region and experience working with low-income individuals with special needs, such as unique social and economic circumstances, language and literacy considerations, and other challenges.

Employment is conditional upon completing and obtaining clearance from the following:

• Criminal Record Check (CRC) in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act
• Law Society Check
• Current and previous vendors with Legal Aid BC are subject to a standard internal review of audit and investigation files

We offer (based on your employment status and affiliation):

• Four weeks paid vacation to start that grows the longer you are with LABC
• An excellent employee benefits package, where premiums are 100% paid by LABC
• Support for training and development
• An Employee and Family Assistance program
• The opportunity to participate in various Employee programs (Employee Wellness, etc.)
• Support for a healthy work/life balance
• Generous leave provisions (sick time, special leaves)
• 13 paid statutory holidays
• An opportunity for a flexible hybrid work arrangement for some positions (LABC reserves the right to change this policy at any time)
• Transit friendly employer for eligible staff to have their commute subsidized
• Dog-friendly offices
• Dedicated Cultural Leave provisions for Indigenous employees
• An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council, and Indigenous employees Council and Accessibility Committee of employees from equity-seeking groups that advises on ongoing improvements and investments in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at our workplace

We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted.