Staff Lawyer

BC First Nations Justice Council; Chilliwack; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Personal days

Paid vacation

RRSP/TFSA savings plans

Job summary

BC First Nations Justice Council is seeking a Staff Lawyer in Chilliwack, BC to represent Indigenous clients facing criminal and child protection matters. The role aims to reduce incarceration and connect clients with socially supportive services and Indigenous justice processes.

The Staff Lawyer will collaborate with communities and agencies to ensure culturally safe and Indigenized supports, while building trust and maintaining thorough client files.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of litigation experience in criminal defense, family, child protection, poverty law.
• Knowledge of Canada’s Criminal Justice System, BC child protection system, and Indigenous laws and processes.
• Indigenous cultural knowledge and living/working with Indigenous communities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation in criminal and child protection matters.
• Advocate for diversion to Indigenous justice processes and for Gladue reports in sentencing.
• Collaborate with resources to deliver wraparound services and support families.

Skills

Litigation experience

Indigenous community experience

Interpersonal and coordination skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

BC lawyer admission (BC Bar)

Knowledge of Indigenous issues and culture

Job description

Reporting to the Clinical Legal Supervisor, the Staff Lawyer represents Indigenous clients facing criminal charges with an overarching goal of reducing the number of Indigenous people incarcerated with federal and provincial corrections. A secondary and minor focus will be to represent Indigenous clients involved in MCFD (child welfare) proceedings. As legal counsel, the Staff Lawyer contributes to the team that strives to ensure that Indigenous persons involved in the MCFD and Criminal Justice systems do not fall through the cracks that exist within those systems. This position works closely with Indigenous clients to help them access the legal supports and other social supports that effect their housing, employment, physical and mental health and wellness, necessary to address the challenges facing them in the child protection and criminal justice systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Staff Lawyer position is responsible for the following key functions.

Legal Representation & Advocacy

• Provide legal representation for clients in criminal and child protection matters who lack access to legal counsel.
• Advocate for diversion from the formal court system to alternative and Indigenous justice processes, including mediation, restorative justice, and First Nations Courts.
• Advocate for Gladue Reports in sentencing proceedings.

Client Support & Case Management

• Work collaboratively with Resource and Support Workers to deliver wraparound services addressing client needs.
• Work with clients and their communities to create and propose alternate care plans that prioritize keeping children safe within their families and communities.
• Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date client files.
• Compile and submit statistical data as required.

Community Engagement

• Ensure Indigenous communities and service providers are aware of your role and availability to assist parents and individuals involved in child protection or criminal proceedings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities, service providers, probation, diversion, crown counsel, and other agencies.
• Collaborate with government and community partners to ensure clients have access to culturally safe and Indigenized supports and programs.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

CHALLENGES OF JOB

• Passion for transforming a legal system into a justice system for Indigenous people in BC.
• Belief that law should be client/person-centred, not lawyer centred.
• Ability to synthesize complex legal problems and propose creative solutions.
• Ability to provide a culturally safe environment for clients.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills combined with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster and work within a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to defuse stressful situations, and use tact in dealing with clients and the general public.
• Excellent project management skills and the demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet heavy case/workload demands and deadlines.
• Self-motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision in a team-oriented setting.
• Strong organizational, case and file management skills, stress management and time management skills.
• Ability to engage with people to build trust and rapport.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, problem solve and take initiative
• Understanding of interdisciplinary approach and respect for non-legal supports.
• Commitment to collaborative team environment.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required

• An understanding of Indigenous issues, cultures as well as Indigenous community groups and agencies and current issues affecting indigenous communities.
• Strong Knowledge and/or some living/working experience (1-4 yrs) in or with an Indigenous community and/or practices with broad knowledge/experience Indigenous culture, art, land rights, language and history or traditions
• Knowledge of local and urban Indigenous cultures.

Western Ways

• Membership in good standing with a Canadian Law Society, preferably of British Columbia.
• 5 years+ litigation experience in the respective area of law, including practice of criminal defense, family, child protection, poverty law.
• Knowledge of the structure and procedures of Canada’s Criminal Justice System, including knowledge of the criminal law, Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Gladue principles and case law.
• Knowledge of the structure and procedures of British Columbia’s child protection system, including the Child Family and Community Services Act, and Bill C-92 - An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families.
• Knowledge of local agencies that offer indigenous / restorative justice services, and support services to offenders, and to children, youth and families.
• Solid computer skills coupled with a good understanding of the use of new technologies within a dynamic work environment.
• Valid BC Driver’s License, the use of a vehicle and ability to travel.
• A clear criminal reference check (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Clearance will be a condition of employment.

Preferred

• J.D. / LL.B.; Advanced Degrees and/or Joint J.D./J.I.D.
• Exposure to MCFD (child welfare) matters.
• Knowledge of the following documents: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Mental:

• Dealing with large amounts of data.
• Dealing with tight timelines/budget constraints/heavy caseload.
• Dealing with highly sensitive situations, crisis management and conflict resolution.
• Making difficult decisions that may have impact on others.

Physical:

• Work long hours using computer.
• Work long hours may include standing, sitting, and/or walking.

Environmental Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in office (min. 75% of time).
• Occasional travel is required.

Reporting: Provincial Director of the Indigenous Justice Centres

Location: Chilliwack, BC (option for 75% in-office minimum hybrid work arrangement available)

Benefits: Extended benefits package that includes health and dental, personal days, paid vacation, and RRSP/TFSA savings plans

Pay Range: $90,000-$165,000 annually. Salary is commensurate with education, experience, and years of call.

Hours: Full-time (35hours/week); Mondays to Fridays

While we recognize the value of diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, preference will be provided to Indigenous applicants in accordance with section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code. Candidates of Indigenous background are encouraged to self-identify on your application.