Duty Counsel

Union: The Society
- Job Number: J0623-0701
- Job Title: Duty Counsel - Criminal and Family (18 months)
- Job Type: Contract
- Contract Duration: 18 months
- City, Province, Country: Cobourg, Ontario, Canada
- Job Location: Cobourg
- Job Category: Legal
- Role Designation:
- LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.- Open Positions: 1
- Posting Date: July 28, 2023
- Closing Date: August 11, 2023
- Salary: $83,343.00 - $142,422.00/Year

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**:
This Duty Counsel will be required to provide family and criminal duty counsel services at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg (located at 860 William Street, Cobourg) and also periodically at the Ontario Court of Justice courthouses in Lindsay (located at 440 Kent Street West, Lindsay) and Peterborough (located at 70 Simcoe Street, Peterborough).

Family Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for family law matters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person. Family Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment of family law clients to determine the appropriate service for the clients, including but not limited to providing procedural and summary legal advice; drafting, reviewing and commissioning of family court documents and pleadings such as Applications, Answers, Motions, Affidavits and Financial Statements; in court representation at various stages of a family court and/or child protection proceeding; and other duties as assigned.

Criminal Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for criminal law matters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person. 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, providing for both remote work and in person attendance.

Home Location: Cobourg Ontario Court of Justice
Secondary Location: n/a

Reports to: Manager of Legal Services, Durham & Tri-Counties

**Key accountabilities**:

- Advocate for clients in court and on court forms
- Provide family law duty counsel services, including providing instructions to Legal Aid Workers (and students), preparation of court documents for eligible clients, make appropriate referrals when required, including to mediation services
- Providing representation in the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ) at first appearances, conferences, motions, negotiations, Family Responsibility Office (FRO) matters, Children’s Aid Societies matters and other court hearings and services as required
- Assist unrepresented eligible clients with LAO family settlement conferences as required
- Assist unrepresented clients with Child Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) matters (with document preparation and in court