STAFF LAWYER (Nanaimo)

Tapsbc; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unionized workplace

Paid sick days

Paid vacation days

Permanent position

Job summary

Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) in Nanaimo seeks a staff lawyer to lead the legal team in delivering advocacy and representation in housing, income assistance, and human rights matters. The role oversees the Legal Advocates, conducts negotiations, and represents clients in tribunals and court reviews.

The successful candidate must be in good standing with the BC Law Society or eligible for reinstatement.

Qualifications

• Must be a practicing member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia or eligible for reinstatement.
• Experience in poverty law is an asset but all backgrounds considered.
• Ability to provide legal information, summary advice, and representation.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Legal Advocates to provide legal information and representation in tenancy, income assistance, disability, employment standards and human rights.
• Engage in negotiations and mediations on administrative law matters.
• Represent clients in judicial reviews and administrative appeals.
• Support clients with notarization of documents and simple planning documents.
• Provide public legal education presentations to community organizations.

Skills

Legal advocacy

Negotiation

Representing clients

Public legal education

Education

BC Law Society member in good standing

Tools

Notarization

Job description

Together Against Poverty Society is hiring a full-time, permanent position for a staff lawyer in our Nanaimo office. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Located in Nanaimo on the territory of the Snuneymuxw Nation, TAPS is one of the largest anti-poverty organizations on Vancouver Island. TAPS specializes in face-to-face legal advocacy services. Through our work, we seek to have a positive impact on people's lives in ways that honour and promote human rights, justice, and a healthy, sustainable community.

Job Description (Nature of the Position)

The primary job responsibilities for this position are as follows:

• supervise the TAPS Legal Advocates to provide legal information, summary advice, and representation to clients primarily in the areas of Residential Tenancy, Income Assistance and Disability, Employment Standards, and Human Rights law;
• engage in negotiations and mediations on administrative law matters;
• represent clients in judicial reviews and other administrative appeals;
• represent clients in various civil, human rights, and bylaw matters as they arise;
• support clients with notarization of documents and the completion of simple advanced planning documents;
• provide public legal education presentations to community organizations concerning legal rights, responsibilities and entitlements;
• prepare activity reports to the funders of this position and TAPS Executive Director; and,
• work from an anti-oppressive practice perspective with individuals who are experiencing a high level of challenges.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, Education, and Skills

Candidates must be a practicing member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia, a non-practicing member eligible for reinstatement, or called to the bar in another province and be eligible for immediate transfer to British Columbia. TAPS will pay all applicable Law Society Membership and Insurance dues for the successful candidate.

While years of call and experience in poverty law practice is an asset and will be considered, TAPS is open to all candidates from any background or year of call.

Hours of Work and Compensation

This position is full-time (5 days/week or 35 hours/week) but is also eligible for 4 days/week or 28 hours/week if preferred. All shifts are located in our Nanaimo office and hours of work on scheduled days cover the period of time the office is open. TAPS staff are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 374, and this position is covered by the TAPS Collective Agreement.

The wage rate is based on years of call and experience and is set to the averages in the sector as gathered by the Law Foundation which funds the position. Under the TAPS Collective Agreement the minimum wage is $39/hr for new calls, up to $60/hr for those with greater experience ($75,457 - $109,200 annual).

Start Date and Duration of Position

The start date for the position is as soon as possible. This position is permanent and has no determined end date.

Sick/Vacation Time

Full-time staff are given 15 paid sick days and 20 paid vacation days annually, in addition to a 4-day paid winter holiday closure during Christmas and New Years, and a 4-day paid summer holiday closure during the week of BC Day.

Applications and Interviews

Writing samples may be of any type and applicants are encouraged to submit any sample which would help show the ability to advocate on someone's behalf or provides analysis/opinion.

Some examples could be:

• letter on behalf of yourself or another advocating for a change or a specific outcome (with identifying information redacted)
• academic piece from any level of study
• journalistic piece like a letter to the editor or review
• legal documents or legal argument

TAPS is committed to employment equity. We encourage qualified applicants from members of visible minority groups, Indigenous Peoples, people with diverse cultural backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQQIP2SAA+ people, people with lived experiences of poverty and homelessness, and others with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

While not required, applicants are encouraged to self-identify in the cover letter as lived expertise is a valued skillset.

If your application is impacted by systemic barriers such as ableism, by your language background being other than English, or by any other factors that make applying less accessible to you, please let us know as we are happy to accommodate.

If you have any questions about the position before applying please contact the Executive Director directly at [e-mail]

The deadline for applications isTuesday, September 8, 2026.