Paralegal, Family Law Clinics

**Location**: Victoria, BC

**Status**:Full-time Permanent

**Affiliation**:British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU)

**Salary range**:Job Class 16 (Market Adjusted)

($65,100 - $74,366) *under review*

**Competition #**:B059-24

**Application Deadline**:September 10, 2024

**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.

We are seeking **two Paralegals** to join our team.

**The Opportunity**

The Family Law Clinic (FLC) provides both in-person and virtual services to clients who have experienced or are experiencing family violence. The FLC operates as a multidisciplinary clinic, offering legal services through a team that includes a managing lawyer, staff lawyers, paralegals, advocates, and administrative/intake legal assistants. Together, this team works to assist and advocate for clients facing multiple barriers to accessing legal aid services. Our approach is trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive, catering to those who have experienced family violence, those living in poverty or with low incomes, individuals from equity-seeking groups, and those whose first language is not English. We strongly encourage applicants who self-identify as belonging to an equity-seeking group or who have lived experience of systemic oppression to apply.

Asa **Paralegal**, your primary function is to interview clients and draft legal documents, pleadings, and correspondence; to provide advocacy, summary legal advice, and/or brief legal services including legal information, and referrals under the supervision of a lawyer to individuals regarding legal issues; to provide front line services to the public for in-person, online and telephone legal aid programs including intake services; to provide public legal education services to local community groups and Legal Aid BC (LABC) staff.

**Key accountabilities include, but aren't limited to**:

- review, assess and determine legal merit of referred cases, when applicable;
- establish file, conduct legal research;
- liaise and assess needs of community groups;
- respond to calls with brief legal services, including information and referral, legal information, and other services in accordance with procedures and policies;
- interview applicants, assess needs/urgency; determine coverage and eligibility for legal aid from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive approach;
- assist lawyers in the organization and presentation of training sessions to staff on legal issues that affect clients and people experiencing poverty and/or low incomes, as required;
**Who We Are**

Legal Aid BC (LABC) is a non-profit organization established by the Legal Services Society Act in 1979. Our mission is to provide legal information, advice, and representation services to BC's most vulnerable and marginalized citizens who lack the necessary resources to effectively access the justice system when their families, freedom, or safety are at risk. Our vision is to see BC’s legal system transformed, by the way LABC represents our clients, into one more equitable and inclusive with a mission to strengthen client-centred legal help for British Columbians experiencing barriers accessing the legal system.

At LABC, we know that our continued ability to help the people who need us is due to the hardworking individuals who make up our team, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people in need. We foster a positive culture of open communication for our team to thrive within, underpinned by our values of client focus, advancing Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and change through leadership.

You have:

- Grade 12 education supplemented by post-secondary education in Law, Criminology, Library Science, and/or Social Work, or Paralegal/Legal Assistant Certificate from a recognized educational institute.
- Minimum 5 years relevant experience in a legal environment and/or as outlined in rated requirements.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English.
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

**We Offer**

A competitive annual salary, as well as a comprehensive benefits package (based on your employment status and affiliation including:

- Four weeks pa