J0926-0591

Njoyn; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Legal Aid Ontario seeks an Institutional Duty Counsel to provide services at the Toronto East Detention Centre and other locations. You will work with duty counsel to ensure meaningful remote court appearances and virtual services.

The role reports to the Manager, Legal Services and requires expertise in bail, sentencing and fitness assessments, with strong commitment to client service and equity in access to justice.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Ontario and in good standing.
• Experience representing clients with complex legal issues.
• Experience in bail hearings and pleas is essential.
• Strong knowledge of the Criminal Code and Charter rights.
• Familiarity with court procedures and digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Review bail worksheets, notes and file materials for court.
• Liaise between client and counsel at court.
• Prepare clients for bail hearings and pleas.
• Call sureties and arrange attendance in court.
• Refer clients to organizations for bail or plea prep.
• Review disclosures and provide summary legal advice.
• Assist clients with forms and statutory processes.
• Support LAO applications and certificate appeals.
• Negotiate bail plans with Crown and other parties.
• Engage stakeholders to improve remand and bail times.

Skills

Lawyer in good standing

Bail hearings

Guilty pleas

Fitness to stand trial

Mental health provisions

Fitness Hearings

Treatment Order applications

Criminal Code knowledge

Rules of Professional Conduct

Independent work

Teamwork

Judgment

Client service

Interpersonal skills

Interview skills

Policy adaptation

Document client files

Video conferencing

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

PeopleSoft

Job description

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 systemic 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

This role is responsible for providing services to clients at the Toronto East Detention Centre in Toronto. The Institutional Duty Counsel will work in conjunction with duty counsel at court as part of a team to ensure that remote court appearances are meaningful, effective, and do not lead to a diminished expectation of reasonable bail or resolution for accused persons. The successful candidate will also provide virtual criminal duty counsel services for the TEDC and the Toronto Courts.

Home Location: Toronto East Detention Centre (55 Civic Rd)

Secondary Locations: Toronto South Detention Centre (160 Horner Ave), 10 Armoury Street, 2201 Finch Avenue West, and any other locations where Duty Counsel services are provided.

Reporting to: Manager, Legal Services

Key accountabilities

• Reviewing and updating bail worksheets, DC notes, and other file materials prepared by DCat court
• Liaising between the client and DC at court
• Preparing the client for bail hearings and/or guilty pleas
• Calling potential sureties, interviewing them for suitability, and arranging for their attendance in court if necessary
• Making referrals to appropriate organizations for bail or in preparation of a guilty plea
• Reviewing disclosure and providing summary legal advice to clients
• Assisting clients in filling out forms (e.g. for video bail or for organizational supports)
• Assisting with Legal Aid Applications
• Providing general advice on legal aid processes such as certificate appeals
• Negotiating with the Crown Bail Vettor with regards to a bail plan or resolution
• Engaging with both local and non-local stakeholders in ongoing conversation around developing the role of duty counsel assisting from institutions (e.g. facilitate and/or attend regular stakeholder meetings on how to improve remand and bail times locally)
• Liaising with detention centre staff to facilitate client service
• File management
• Other duties as assigned

Required skills & experience

• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Demonstrated experience in representing clients with complex legal issues including conducting bail hearings and guilty pleas
• Experience conducting bail reviews is an asset
• Experience assessing ‘fitness to stand trial’ in the criminal context
• Experience advising clients on the mental health provisions of the Criminal Code
• Experience representing clients on Fitness Hearings and Treatment Order applications
• Willingness to conduct ‘fitness to stand trial’ assessments and conduct Fitness Hearings and Treatment Order applications from the institution
• Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence, and case law
• Practical understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised in a fast‑paced environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
• Proven judgment and analytical ability to determine appropriate legal remedies
• Demonstrated commitment to client service and relationship building skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, particularly when encountering stressful situations
• Well-developed interview skills including a proven ability to identify vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made
• Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures
• Proven ability to document client files including advice to clients and instructions
• Significant knowledge of LAO priorities, policies, and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to use the latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually
• Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity and competence with proper maintenance of computer information data bases such as PeopleSoft

What do we offer?

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal well-being.

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).

Employment Agreement

This position is represented by The Society of United Professionals and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi‑weekly from date of hire. First preference will be given to current members of The Society of United Professionals. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified. Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

Are you interested in this job?

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), an independent but publicly funded and publicly accountable non‑profit corporation. None of this material may be commercially reproduced, but copying for other purposes, with credit, is encouraged.