Staff Lawyer - Senior Counsel, Family (French Bilingual)

Legal Aid Ontario; Sault Ste. Marie; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit legal service organization in Sault Ste. Marie is seeking a Staff Lawyer - Senior Counsel, Family (French Bilingual) to provide high quality legal representation in family law matters. The ideal candidate has extensive experience with family and child protection law and is committed to serving vulnerable populations. This role involves in-person work and community engagement efforts.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience representing clients in family law matters.
• Advanced knowledge of relevant family law legislation including the Divorce Act.
• Experience providing legal services for Indigenous or vulnerable client groups.

Responsibilities

• Act as counsel of record for certificate eligible clients.
• Provide virtual legal services in French & English.
• Participate in community outreach initiatives.

Skills

Fluency in English and French

Knowledge of family law legislation

Experience with complex family law matters

Client-focused approach

Problem solving skills

Education

Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario

Tools

DivorceMate

Word

Excel

Job description

Overview

Union: The Society Job Number: J0325-0248

Job Title: Staff Lawyer - Senior Counsel, Family (French Bilingual)

Job Type: Permanent Full Time

City, Province, Country: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

Job Location: Sault Ste. Marie & area

Job Category: Legal

Job Classification: SL

Role Designation: LAO

Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.

Open Positions: 1

Posting Date: September 19, 2025

Closing Date: October 5, 2025

Salary: $90,186.96 - $154,117.41 / Year

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

The Family Senior Counsel Program has provincial scope and complements LAO’s existing mixed model of private bar and duty counsel services by providing financially and legally eligible clients with another option for high quality, full-scope representation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting vulnerable clients on a wide-range of family law and child protection matters, up to and including representation at trial.

Representation will include but not limited to acting as counsel of record to certificate eligible clients. Family Senior Counsel also accept court appointments and create and facilitate mentorship opportunities for staff lawyers and private counsel to further enhance access to justice.

The position will be responsible for covering the geographic area of the North District, including in-person and virtual attendance at the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice family court locations in Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River and Elliot Lake.

Home location: To be confirmed Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River or Elliot Lake.

Secondary locations: to be confirmed Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River and / or Elliot Lake.

Reports to: Manager of Legal Services – Family Senior Counsel Program

Key accountabilities

• Act as counsel of record for certificate eligible clients unable to secure private bar lawyers in family law and child protection matters
• Provide virtual services in French & English in other areas of the province, as required
• Representation of family law and child protection clients through all stages of litigation up to and including trial, with an emphasis on providing assistance for vulnerable and hard-to-serve clients
• Provide brief, limited-scope virtual and in-person legal services and summary advice for eligible family law clients where clients are vulnerable and/or there is urgency
• Serve as mentors to Legal Aid duty counsel, staff lawyers and private bar roster lawyers, providing coaching and support where needed
• Participate in community outreach presentations and projects
• Participate in legal education initiatives
• Ensure high quality of legal work in a cost effective manner
• Maintain conflict lists, record data and produce reports as required
• Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned and remain adaptable and flexible in a changing environment

Required skills & experience

• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Demonstrated experience representing clients in family law matters and advanced knowledge of all relevant family law legislation, including the Divorce Act, Family Law Act, Children’s Law Reform Act, Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act and Family Law Rules
• Demonstrated experience representing clients in child protection matters and advanced knowledge of all relevant child protection legislation, including the Child, Youth and Family Services Act and An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
• Demonstrated experience dealing with complex family law matters and strong knowledge of relevant family law legislation, including child protection law and in-court experience
• Demonstrated experience providing legal services for clients that are Indigenous, racialized, or from other vulnerable client groups, including domestic violence survivors and those experiencing mental health challenges
• Ability to work collaboratively with Legal Aid Workers, staff lawyers, paralegals, per diem Duty Counsel and Managers
• Knowledge of the Legal Aid Services Act and Regulations, and a strong understanding of LAO as a public service agency
• Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually
• Advanced knowledge and experience with computer software including, but not limited to: DivorceMate, CaseLines, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Client focused with personal motivation and accountability
• Ability to work independently in a fast paced environment and provide sound advice / support to colleagues when required
• Sound judgment and problem solving skills
• Access to a vehicle or ability to rent a vehicle is preferred as this position will require travel
• Demonstrated fluency in oral and written language skills, including the ability to speak, read and write within a legal setting, in both English and French

© Legal Aid Ontario. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Please direct accommodation requests to our recruitment team.