Project Lawyer

Full Time Clinic Lawyer - 12 month Contract

Gender-Based Violence & Sexual Assault Specialist

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Durham Community Legal Clinic (DCLC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free legal services to low-income individuals in the Durham Region. As part of Ontario's network of community legal clinics, DCLC works to ensure access to justice for those who may not otherwise afford legal representation.

The DCLC team offers legal advice, representation, and advocacy in areas such as landlord-tenant disputes, employment rights, social assistance, human rights, and other civil matters. Beyond individual legal support, the Clinic engages in public legal education, law reform initiatives, and community outreach to promote fairness and justice for all.

Located in Oshawa, the Clinic proudly serve residents across the Durham Region, helping them navigate the legal system with dignity and confidence.

MISSION AND VALUES

The DCLC mission is to provide accessible, high-quality legal services to equity-deserving individuals in the Durham Region, ensuring that everyone has equal access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. The Clinic is committed to empowering our community through legal advocacy, education, and representation.

The vision is a fair and just society where all individuals can exercise their legal rights without barriers. Through collaboration, outreach, and systemic advocacy, the Clinic strives to create lasting positive change and promote social justice for the most vulnerable members of our community.

DCLC requires an experienced lawyer to lead our 'Your Way Forward Project' that assists survivors of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence. This is a full time contract position, ending March 2027. Reporting to the Director of Legal Services, this role will support a range of activities including: case management, research, service navigation, public legal education, legal advice, limited representation and survivor impact statements. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience across diverse areas of law, including family, criminal, housing, social assistance, employment, immigration and more.

Qualifications

· A practicing lawyer licenced by the Law Society of Ontario with 2 to 5 years of experience

· Experience in family law / strong desire to learn family law, is a significant asset

· Extensive experience in social justice law and reform

· Litigation and tribunal experience

· Proven ability to interact with high needs clients in an empathetic manner

· Knowledge and experience of trauma informed service delivery

· Knowledge of the Legal Clinic System

· Experience developing and conducting qualitative research and comprehensive literature reviews.

· Understanding of equity in policy development and delivery

· Excellent customer service, public presentation, communication, research and writing skills

· Professional, ethical, accurate, detailed, team focused

· High degree of computer literacy and administrative self-sufficiency

In addition to review of qualifications, interviews and reference checks, successful candidates may be invited to participate in a written test and other assessment tools.

Compensation:

$98, annual rate)

Application Information

Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and resume/CV demonstrating how you meet the qualifications as set out by to Please include in the subject line: "Project Lawyer".

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

DCLC is committed to equitable employment and hiring practices and is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from individuals from diverse, marginalized and racialized communities and backgrounds and people with disabilities including all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and perspectives at DCLC. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: $98,319.88 per year

Work Location: In person