Contract Lawyer

Peterborough Community Legal Centre; Peterborough; On-site; CAD 81,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days 15 pro-rated

Group health and dental benefits

Sick days paid

Job summary

Peterborough Community Legal Centre in Peterborough, Ontario, seeks a Contract Lawyer for a 10-month term to provide Tenant Duty Counsel services, brief advice, referrals, and representation at all levels of tribunals and court in housing and social assistance matters.

Working in our downtown office, you will engage in outreach, public legal education and law reform initiatives, with a generous benefits package, 15 vacation days pro-rated, and a salary of CAD 81,000–86,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Strong legal and advocacy skills, written and oral communication with vulnerable clients.
• Experience representing tenants before the LTB and delivering TDC services.
• Experience in OW/ODSP appeals before SBT.
• Team player in a small office; ability to handle a full caseload and meet deadlines.
• Vaccination against COVID-19, with possible exemption/accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Provide Tenant Duty Counsel services, summary advice, brief services and referrals.
• Advocate for clients and represent at tribunals and courts, mainly housing and social assistance.
• Engage in community outreach, public legal education and law reform initiatives.

Skills

Tenant Duty Counsel

Litigation advocacy

Court representation

Vulnerable client communication

Team collaboration

Education

Law Society of Ontario membership

Tools

CIMS

Data management programs

Spreadsheet software

Job description

JOB POSTING: Contract Lawyer

Are you passionate about social justice? Do you want to contribute to improving access to justice in Peterborough City and County? Do you have a diverse set of skills that you want to utilize to improve the lives of others in your community?

The Peterborough Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is a general service community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. We have been providing free clinic-law services to the City and County of Peterborough since 1989.

PCLC is uniquely positioned to provide legal services to low-income residents in our community. Through legal advice and representation, PCLC provides improved individual access to income security, housing, employment and related needs. PCLC advocates systemic reform to promote social and economic justice and human dignity. Our services are independent, community-based, confidential, and free.

POSITION DETAILS

Desired Start Date: As soon as possible

Term: 10-month fixed-term contract, with possibility of renewal, three months probationary period

Status: Full-time (35 hours/week)

Salary Range: $81,000 to $86,000 / year, commensurate with experience. We offer a generous benefits package that includes paid sick days. After the three months probationary period, vacation entitlement (at the rate of 15 days/year pro-rated to the term of contract) and group health and dental benefits.

Working Conditions: In office / in-person, downtown Peterborough/Nogojiwanong. Small, fast-paced office with frequent walk-ins and often high stress situations.

We are seeking a junior to mid-level lawyer to join our team for a 10-month contract position with possibility of renewal. The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to social justice values and working with a diverse range of clients in receipt of low, fixed incomes and/or otherwise marginalized in a trauma-informed setting.

The successful candidate will be providing Tenant Duty Counsel (TDC) services, summary advice, brief services, referrals, advocacy for clients and representation at all levels of tribunals and court, primarily in areas of housing and social assistance law. They will also be actively involved in community outreach, public legal education and law reform initiatives.

HIRING REQUIRMENTS:

• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario;
• Strong legal and advocacy skills, written and oral communication skills - must be able to work effectively with vulnerable clients, colleagues across various professional networks;
• Demonstrated experience representing tenants before the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) and delivering Tenant Duty Counsel (TDC) Services to tenants;
• Demonstrated experience representing clients in Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) appeals before the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT);
• Ability to work as a team player in a small office;
• Ability to handle a full caseload, meet tight deadlines, maintain accuracy and attention to detail with minimal supervision;
• Must be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine, unless requesting an exemption and accommodation in accordance with theHuman Rights Code.

The following are considered an asset:

• Familiarity with worker-side provincial employment law, especially the Employment Standards Act, Ontario’s Human Rights Code, and the common law of wrongful dismissal;
• General knowledge of other areas of clinic practice;
• Previous experience in a community legal clinic or a similar setting, experience in a relevant law practice;
• Excellent computer proficiency including knowledge of spread sheets, data management programs;
• Familiarity with CIMS;
• Experience with Non-Violent Communication, De-Escalation and other forms of mediation with vulnerable individuals;
• Valid G drivers’ License and access to a vehicle;
• Ability to communicate and represent in French and English is also an asset.

WHY WORK FOR PCLC?

There are many unique benefits to working for PCLC, including:

• Opportunity to be part of systemic legal reform initiatives;
• Training on a range of legal and social justice related topics;
• Professional networking within the legal clinic system via regional conferences and other opportunities;
• Access to learning resources through study groups and specialty clinics;
• Peterborough is a small city offering many big city amenities with nearby access to beautiful lakes and provincial parks.

PCLC is strongly committed to upholding values of diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from individuals from diverse communities and backgrounds, people who are members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity and from people with disabilities. Please advise us if you require any accommodation at any point during the hiring process.