Staff Lawyer Position – Antigonish Office

Nova Scotia Legal Aid; Antigonish; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) seeks a Staff Lawyer to provide advice and representation in criminal and family matters, primarily in Provincial and Supreme Court, with travel to other jurisdictions as needed. The role involves duty counsel duties and delivering practical, client-focused legal services.

Candidates must hold an LLB or JD, be in good standing with a provincial law society, and have a valid driver's license. This is a 12-month term contract based in Antigonish, NS.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in criminal and family law.
• Ability to manage a high caseload.
• Ability to work with clients with complex needs, independently in a fast-paced environment or as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, including intercultural communication.
• Skilled in negotiation and persuasion techniques.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and legal representation on criminal and family matters in Provincial and Supreme Court.
• Carry some family law files and travel to other jurisdictions for criminal matters.
• Participate in duty counsel and provide daytime telephone duty counsel and summary advice.
• Offer legal opinions, file documents, attend court proceedings, participate in mediation, and educate the public on legal issues.

Skills

Criminal law

Family law

Litigation

Client counselling

Negotiation

Education

LLB/JD degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Legal research software

Job description

Type of Employment: 12-Month Term Contract
Location: 70 West Street, Suite 2, Antigonish NS
Salary: Staff Lawyer Pay Plan Policy - Based on Relevant Experience
Closing Date:Friday, September 25, 2026, at 12:00 pm

Who we are:

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are vulnerable and historically disadvantaged. NSLAC's focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.

NSLAC employs staff in 25 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province.Staff Lawyers help thousands of clients every year and spend much of their time in court. They are committed to helping overcome historical barriers to access to justice. Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens and communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented and equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous Peoples, African Nova Scotians and other racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and women in underrepresented roles. If you are a member of one or more of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your electronic application, cover letter, or resume.

Primary Functions:

The Staff Lawyer provides advice and legal representation on a broad range of criminal and family related legal matters. This position will provide services in Provincial and Supreme Court but may also carry some family law files and will require travel to other jurisdictions for criminal matters (Provincial, Supreme and Wellness Courts). This role also shares responsibility for cells and non-cells duty counsel, daytime telephone duty counsel and summary advice for various legal issues. The lawyer will give legal opinions, file legal documents, attend court proceedings, participate in mediation sessions and offer useful advice to clients. The successful candidate may be expected to participate in community and other legal education in the areas of criminal and family and related procedures.

Ideal Abilities and Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of relevant criminal and family law.
• Ability to manage a high caseload.
• Be able to work with clients who have complex needs, creatively problem solve, and work independently in a fast-paced environment as well as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and in writing, including working interculturally and with community partners.
• Must be skilled in negotiation, debate, and persuasion techniques.
• Compliance with NSLAC's policies and procedures.
• Training or advocacy experience in relation to mental health issues.
• Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Experienced in the investigation of facts, identification of issues, ascertaining organizational objectives, consideration of alternative solutions, risk analysis, and advise to clients.
• Demonstrated ability to use the latest communication technologies.
• Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including legal research and Microsoft 365 applications.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) Degree.
• Practicing member in good standing of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society (and/or any other provincial law society).

If you are talented, conscientious and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.