Careers@LAO
Legal Aid Ontario is committed to promoting access to justice throughout Ontario for low-income individuals by providing consistently high quality legal aid services.
Criminal Counsel, Major Case Management Office
Assignment:
Two to three year contract. LAO employees may accept this temporary assignment and upon completion return to their current position. Permanent LAO employees must have the approval of their manager before accepting a secondment and it is suggested that all employees consult with their manager before applying for the assignment.
Location: Major Case Management Office, Toronto
Reports to: Director, Strategic Program Development
Area of Search: Open Nationally
Current Status of the Job: This is a new position.
Primary Function:
The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the Major Case Management Office, conducting litigation of serious criminal trials, including homicides, and providing oversight and management of other cases. The incumbent will be expected to travel to various court locations.
Main Duties of the Job:
- Conduct litigation of serious criminal trials and appeals and conduct hearings at various stages of proceedings on behalf of Legal Aid Ontario clients at various court locations in accordance with LAO policies and protocols
- Ensure LAO policies and processes are applied in all cases
- Perform assigned case management duties to support the efficient defence of criminal and quasi-criminal matters
- Mentor and supervise counsel and administrative staff as assigned
- Conduct client meetings and perform assigned case management duties to support the efficient defence of criminal matters
- Draft legal documents on behalf of Legal Aid Ontario
- Perform all administrative duties relating to file management to ensure efficient and timely processing of files
- Provide timely, clear, concise responses and professional advice to clients and other counsel on multifaceted and/or complicated criminal matters and draft legal documents in relation to those matters
- Ensure and/or monitor timely reporting of information, maintain accurate records and comply with time specifications
- Implement and keep informed about initiatives, protocols and directives within the justice system
- Stay current with legal knowledge; knowledge about the justice system and legal ethics in order to maintain public confidence in the Major Case Management Office and its role in the criminal justice system
- Establish and maintain positive and effective relationships and work co-operatively with colleagues and other stakeholders including other participants in the justice system
Required Skills & Experiences:
- Member in good standing of appropriate provincial law society and eligible for membership with the Law Society of Upper Canada
- Eight to ten plus years experience in criminal law in a legal clinic, firm, or public sector setting
- Must possess experience as lead litigator on trials/appeals involving serious criminal matters and knowledge of Canadian criminal law and procedure (e.g. Criminal Code of Canada, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act)
- Excellent oral and written communication and advocacy skills, including the ability to effectively analyze and express complex legal issues and provide advice
- Experience in coordinating multiple stakeholders associated with criminal or regulatory litigation
- Understanding of the nature and scope of the work and the roles and responsibilities of Agents and of LAO’s mandate and services
- Adept at multi-tasking in an often fast changing, high pressure work environment
Organizational Competencies Expected
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Salary Range: To be announced
Closing Date: This is an ongoing opportunity.
Please forward your resume to: job.competitions@lao.on.ca. Be sure to quote the following competition number in the subject line: LAO-156-10
Only applications submitted via e-mail will be accepted.
Legal Aid Ontario is an equal opportunity employer.
Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency.