Staff Lawyer

15 month contract, full-time (May 2024 to August 2025)

Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic provides legal advice and assistance to residents of the District of Thunder Bay, particularly Indigenous people, who need assistance with poverty law issues.

Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic is seeking a lawyer to manage a caseload in poverty law, provide legal advice and information, supervise other legal professionals, undertake formal and informal advocacy, represent clients before administrative tribunals and courts, participate in community development and law reform projects, and provide public legal education.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:

• Provide summary advice, brief services, and representation in poverty law issues including income maintenance (OW, ODSP, EI, CCB, CPP-D) and tenancy law
• Supervise legal work of community legal workers, , law students, and other licensees
• Represent clients at administrative tribunals and court – particularly Social Benefits Tribunal, Landlord & Tenant Board Tribunal, the Social Security Tribunal, and the Divisional Court
• Public legal education, community development and law reform activities
• General administration and other duties as required
• Occasional overnight travel within the district and the province

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current member in good standing as a lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario OR licensing candidate (lawyer) expecting to be called to the Bar of Ontario in 2024
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and work for positive social change
• Familiarity with relevant acts and regulations (Residential Tenancies Act, Ontario Disability Support Program Act, Ontario Works Act)
• Experience working in an Ontario community legal clinic is an asset
• Effective information gathering and advocacy skills
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving ability
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of community resources
• Lived experience or demonstrated competency with respect to Indigenous culture and issues
• Excellent computer (Microsoft) and information management skills
• Valid driver’s license an asset

Salary – approximately $95,000 plus pension and group benefits

Interested candidates are asked to submit their resume and a cover letter to:

Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic
86 S. Cumberland Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 2V3
Fax: (807) 345-2842
Email: cindy.johnson@kinna.clcj.ca
Required subject line: Staff Lawyer Application

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 5 p.m., Monday, April 1, 2024

We thank everyone for their application but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic values the diversity of the people it hires and serves; applications from Indigenous candidates are strongly encouraged.