Volunteer Lawyer

Calgary Homeless Foundation; Calgary; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Calgary seeks volunteer lawyers to offer free legal advice to women and gender-diverse individuals. The role requires active practice in law, excellent communication skills, and a commitment of two hours per month. Volunteers will support individuals navigating the legal system, ensuring confidentiality throughout the process.

Qualifications

• Actively practicing in family, estate, immigration, civil, or criminal law.
• Ability to work with women of diverse backgrounds.
• Basic understanding of gender-based violence, family breakdown, and child maltreatment.

Responsibilities

• Provide free legal advice through individual sessions or workshops.
• Maintain confidentiality during interactions.

Skills

Empathetic listening

Communication skills

Understanding of social issues

Bilingualism

Education

Accreditation as a practicing lawyer in Alberta

Member in good standing with the Alberta Bar Association

Job description

Overview

In coordination with the Women’s Centre team, volunteer lawyers provide free legal advice to women and gender-diverse people through individual sessions or workshops. The sessions aim to provide a starting point to those accessing the legal system. Volunteers do not provide legal representation and are required to maintain confidentiality.

The Women’s Centre is registered as an Approved Legal Service Provider. This means volunteer lawyers who are otherwise exempt from indemnity coverage are covered for volunteer legal services.

Role requirements

• Actively practicing in family, estate, immigration, civil or criminal law.
• Ability to work with women of diverse backgrounds.
• A basic understanding of relevant social issues including but not limited to gender-based violence, family breakdown, and child maltreatment.
• Excellent empathetic listening and communication skills.
• Time commitment: two hours per month.
• Must be a member in good standing with the Alberta Bar Association.
• Must have accreditation as a practicing lawyer in Alberta.

Assets

• Bilingualism.
• An understanding of trauma-informed practices.

Working conditions

This volunteer opportunity is primarily in-person and onsite at the Women’s Centre of Calgary. Some remote delivery is available on an as-needed basis.

Program volunteers undergo: 1) a police information check with a vulnerable sector search; and 2) reference checks.