Senior immigration lawyer
Don Valley Community Legal Services
Don Valley Community Legal Services (“DVCLS”) is a community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. DVCLS provides free clinic law services to persons of modest income in the areas of housing, immigration and refugee law, employment and income maintenance. We are located in Toronto and our catchment area is bounded by Lake Ontario/Danforth on the South to York Mills/401 on the North and from Yonge Street/Don River on the West to Victoria Park Avenue on the East.
DVCLS is looking for an experienced immigration lawyer to join our Immigration Team for a full time permanent position. The candidate will provide legal advice and representation at the IRB, IAD, ID, and Federal Court. The candidate will also collaborate with DVCLS’s community partners to provide public legal education seminars and workshops and participate in law reform initiatives and community development projects for our community.
Qualifications:
- A lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
- 5-8 years demonstrated legal experience particularly in immigration matters relating to IRCC applications, and experience at the various levels of tribunals and the Federal Court
- Strong legal and advocacy skills, written and oral communication skills
- Excellent computer skills with experience with IRCC online portals
- Excellent research skills with knowledge of immigration legal sites
- Ability to collaborate and work as a team with other lawyers, paralegals and support staff
- Ability to handle a full caseload, meet tight deadlines, maintain accuracy and attention to detail with minimum supervision
- Demonstrated commitment to working from an anti-oppression and social justice framework
- Experience working with a diverse range of clients from low income and marginalized groups, particularly newcomers and those with languages other than English and French
- Ability to work remotely or in the office
- Ability to prepare and present public legal education seminars and workshops to the community at a basic level and with the use of interpreters
- Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination, subject to medical or Ontario Human Rights code based exemptions
Assets:
- Experience litigating at the Federal Court level
- Experience with mentoring law students/paralegals
- Familiarity with the Clinic Information Management system used at community legal clinics
- Familiarity with resources and agencies in DVCLS community
- Knowledge of a second language pertinent to serving DVCLS’s catchment area
- Experience in media relations, outreach, networking, event organizing or stakeholder engagement
Remuneration:
- Salary Range: $85,000 to $115,000 based on year of call, experience and qualifications
- Participation in DVCLS’s group benefits plan
- Participation in DVCLS’s defined benefit pension plan
- Payment of the LSO annual dues invoice [as per commencement of employment]
Applications:
Applications must include a resume, cover letter, contact information for two references and a writing sample of up to five pages [opinion letter, research memo, factum etc.]
Applications may be submitted by email to Marjorie.hiley@dvcls.clcj.ca
or by fax or by mail and should be addressed to the Hiring Committee.