Criminal Staff Lawyer

Legal Aid Ontario; Newmarket; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness program including

Generous paid time off (vacation, sick

Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)

Job summary

Legal Aid Ontario seeks a Duty Counsel lawyer to provide court services at the Newmarket courthouse. The role targets lawyers with substantial criminal law experience and a commitment to serving marginalized clients.

You will work within a fast-paced team, manage complex dockets, and collaborate across LAO programs to ensure effective representation and access to justice for clients in need.

Qualifications

• Significant criminal law court experience.
• Well-developed interview skills to identify vulnerable clients and provide referrals.
• Proven ability to document client files with advice and instructions.
• Experience or interest in mental health, Indigenous issues, addictions, homelessness, youth issues.
• Sound judgment under stress.
• Awareness of how criminal proceedings affect immigration, family and poverty law issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide Duty Counsel services at Newmarket courthouse.
• Navigate a broad range of criminal proceedings in a dynamic workplace.
• Work independently and as part of a team to support LAO clients.
• Mentor and train new staff as needed.
• Adapt to new policies and procedures while upholding LAO mandate.

Skills

Criminal law expertise

Advocacy skills

Client-focused

Communication skills

Teamwork

Independent work

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

LAO programs familiarity

MS 365 familiarity

French language (asset)

Education

Law degree (LL.B./JD)

Tools

LAO Duty Counsel Worksheet (Service Integration)

PeopleSoft

Legal Aid Online

Microsoft 365 (Teams/Outlook/Word/PowerPoint/Excel)

Zoom/Video tools

Job description

Job Location: Newmarket

Job Category: Legal

Open Positions: 1

Posting Date: November 3, 2026

Closing Date: November 17, 2026

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity‑seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systematic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

Primary function

To provide Duty Counsel services at Newmarket courthouse.
This position will appeal to a lawyer with experience in a broad range of criminal proceedings who can effectively navigate the demands of a dynamic and sometimes hectic workplace. The preferred candidate will be a self‑starter with substantial criminal law experience in the private or public sector who is familiar with LAO criminal duty counsel services.
Primary Location: Newmarket
Secondary Location: Not applicable
Reporting to: Manager, Legal Services

Key accountabilities

• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Practical understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and relevant case‑law.
• Previous experience in criminal law and strong advocacy skills in the Ontario Court of Justice.
• Experience representing clients with complex legal issues, including representing clients for bail hearings and guilty pleas. Trial experience and experience conducting bail reviews is considered an asset.
• Client‑focused with excellent problem‑solving skills and sound judgement.
• Experience working with marginalized and vulnerable clients.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills – ability to work in a large team setting, relate to other staff and manage through conflict.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Capability with LAO programs including the Duty Counsel Worksheet (Service Integration), PeopleSoft and Legal Aid Online.
• Capability with Microsoft 365 programs (Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel) and other computer‑based programs such as Zoom, JVN and Skype

Required skills & experience

• Significant criminal law court experience.
• Well‑developed interview skills including a proven ability to identify vulnerable clients in order to provide appropriate service and referrals.
• Proven ability to document client files including advice to clients and instructions.
• Prior training, advocacy experience or demonstrated interest in mental health, Indigenous issues, addictions, homelessness and youth issues.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment particularly when dealing with stressful situations.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the impact of criminal proceedings on immigration, family and other poverty law issues and the integrated nature of legal issues faced by LAO clients.
• Capacity to help train and mentor new staff/students.
• Knowledge of LAO’s operations and mandate.
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including Smartphones.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice.
• French language, or other language skills is considered an asset

What do we offer?

• We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that include dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, and Short-Term Disability (STD).
• Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid time‑off policy, including vacation days, sick days, discretionary days, and statutory holidays.
• Employees are eligible to be enrolled to the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), administered by the Ontario Pension Board (OPB).

Are you interested in this job?