Paralegal (18 months)

Legal Aid Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Legal Aid Ontario is seeking an enthusiastic professional to support its Immigration Detention Representation Program in Toronto. You will provide direct legal representation to individuals in immigration detention and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across the Refugee Law Office - Detention.

The role prioritizes empathy for immigrants and refugees, with opportunities to develop skills in this area, including junior paralegal duties.

Qualifications

• Training experience in a legal setting is an asset.
• Experience representing persons before a court or tribunal is an asset.
• Lived experience as an immigrant and/or within immigrant and refugee communities is an asset.
• Ability to communicate in languages other than English is an asset.
• Ability to conduct hearings in French is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of word processing and video conferencing technologies, including MS Teams, Word, and Adobe PDF.

Responsibilities

• Representing immigration detainees at detention reviews and providing summary legal advice to immigration detainees.
• Developing release plans and alternatives to detention, including bonds person interviews and arranging housing.
• Assisting management with the administration of the IDRP as required.
• Participating in legal education and test case initiatives related to immigration detention matters.
• Participating in data collecting, docketing, and producing reports, as required; and
• Performing other duties as assigned

Skills

Legal training

Court representation experience

Immigrant/refugee experience

Multilingual

French hearings

Tech proficiency

Tools

MS Teams

Microsoft Word

Adobe PDF

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.

Primary function

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, Inuitor 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.

This position supports LAO’s Immigration Detention Representation Program (IDRP), managed out of the Refugee Law Office-Detention in Toronto. This position will provide direct legal representation to persons in immigration detention or who are at risk of being placed in immigration detention in Ontario. Representation is before the Immigration and Refugee Board (Immigration Division). This position works in collaboration with other multidisciplinary staff at the RLO, as well as with private bar members of the IDRP, and supports strategic litigation priorities related to immigration detention.

We are seeking an individual who is passionate about advocating for the liberty interests of persons in immigration detention, and we welcome candidates who are interested in developing their skills in this area, including junior paralegals. The ideal candidate is able to work co-operatively with other staff in a high pressure but supportive team-based environment. The individual should demonstrate empathy towards, and a commitment to, immigrants and refugees, and be able to assume a varied detention caseload.

Home Location: Toronto. Secondary/Tertiary locations can include Immigration Holding Centre Toronto. Reporting to: Manager, Refugee Law Office - Detention, Toronto.

Key accountabilities

• Representing immigration detainees at detention reviews and providing summary legal advice to immigration detainees;
• Developing release plans and alternatives to detention, including bonds person interviews and arranging housing;
• Assisting management with the administration of the IDRP as required;
• Participating in legal education and test case initiatives related to immigration detention matters;
• Participating in data collecting, docketing, and producing reports, as required; and
• Performing other duties as assigned

Required Skills & Experience

• Training experience in a legal setting an asset
• Experience representing persons before a court or tribunal an asset
• Lived experience as an immigrant and/or within immigrant and refugee communities is an asset
• Ability to communicate in languages other than English is an asset.
• Ability to conduct hearings in French a strong asset
• Knowledge of word processing and video conferencing technologies, including MS Teams, Word, and Adobe PDF

This position is collectively represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union(OPSEU) and the successful incumbent will be governed by the provisions of a collective agreement and subject to union dues.

Equity Statement

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.