Company Bio

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.

Primary function In addition to working with a team passionate about access to justice and making a difference in the lives of many of societies most vulnerable, LAO offers a comprehensive medical and dental benefits through Sun Life, an Employee Assistance Program through Telus Health and we are a member of the Ontario Public Service Pension Plan.

LAO is seeking a bilingual family staff lawyer for its Integrated Legal Service Office (ILSO) in Ottawa.

Reporting to the Manager, Legal Services, this position provides full legal representation and advice services to eligible clients with family and child protection law matters. Responsibilities also include mentoring, outreach and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Location: The Integrated Legal Services Office is located in Ottawa, however, the services provided by ILSO span the Eastern District, therefore occasional travel will be required.

Key accountabilities

- Legal Representation and Advice: Provide full representation to family and CYFSA clients in various legal settings such as mediation, case conferences, settlement conferences, trial management conferences, motions, and trials in the Superior Court of Justice - Family Court (UFC). Provide summary legal advice and unbundled services to unrepresented family law clients who qualify for Legal Aid, both in-person and over the phone. Assist clients with ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) appeals and Landlord and Tenant disputes, as required.
- Quality and Efficiency: Ensure high-quality legal work is provided in a cost-effective manner. Maintain accurate records and produce necessary reports.
- Community Outreach and Legal Education: Engage in community outreach and continuing professional development / public legal education initiatives and presentations.
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): Implement and advocate for EDI principles in legal practice, ensuring services are inclusive and respectful of clients' diverse backgrounds. Participate in EDI training and apply these principles in mentoring and training.
- Mentorship and Training: Provide guidance and support to diverse members of inter-professional team, including paralegals, legal aid workers, and students. Help others develop skills and provide high quality client services.
- Travel: This role may require some travel throughout the Eastern district. Appropriate notice will be provided.
- Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned by the organization

Required skills & experience

- Legal Qualifications : Must be a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario




- Knowledge and Experience: Strong background in family and child protection law. Experience in other areas of law, including immigration/refugee, criminal law, and poverty law is an asset.
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Sound judgment and excellent interpersonal, negotiation, advocacy, and problem-solving skills. Ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders. At ease working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, independently and as part of a team. Advanced written and verbal communication skills in both English and French are required. Proficiency in other languages considered a strong asset.
- Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice: Dedication to serving vulnerable populations and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the delivery of legal services. Demonstrated experience working with marginalized communities and addressing systemic barriers within the justice system.
- Technical Proficiency:Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe, Excel, Zoom, Teams, and other office applications. Familiarity and competence with client and file management systems, including Peoplesoft, Legal Files, Caselines, DivorceMate, and conflict of interest and file tickler systems is considered an asset.

What do we Offer? At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to enhance employees’ professional and personal well-being, reflecting our values of equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging.

Your health and wellness

Our health and wellness program includes:

- Dental, health and life insurance
- Short-Term Disability and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
- Permanent employees are eligible for long-term disability insurance
- An employee assistance program (EAP) that offers professional, confidential counselling services to employees and members of their immediate families. The EAP operates programs that address common life issues such as childcare, smoking, financial difficulty, and more.
- Legal Aid Ontario offers a Health Spending Account (HSA) which is an allotment of funds provided by LAO for health and dental expenses, above what the regular plan provides.

Your work-life balance Employees enjoy generous paid time-off including:

- 17 vacation days at hire,
- Sick days
- Discretionary days
- Three paid days for religious or cultural observances
- Statutory holidays and The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day and Easter Monday

Your career LAO supports your career development by offering professional development and networking through several programs,



including training to support a positive culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB), and lunch and learns to build client service skills

- Informal Employee Networks for staff with shared identities to connect, support each other and build qualified networks
- Law Society of Ontario (LSO) accredited training to support learning and professional development for all employees
- EDIB-focused training
- Mentorship programs, including an Indigenous-focused mentorship program

Your future Employees are eligible to enroll in the defined benefit Public Service Pension Plan which provides financial security during retirement.

How to apply?

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.

Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

This position is represented by The Society of United Professionals and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi-weekly from date of hire. First Preference will be given to current members of the Society of United Professionals.

Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position.

Already have an Njoyn account? Just sign in and select "my jobs" to apply.

Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.

Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-(phone hidden) or email support: [email protected]

Equity Statement

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a secure 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.

📌 French Bilingual Staff Lawyer - Family (Ottawa)
🏢 Legal Aid Ontario
📍 Ottawa