Senior Advisor (24 months) – Legal Aid Ontario Job Type: ContractContract Duration: 24 monthsJob Location: TorontoOpen Positions: 1Posting Date: April 10, 2026Closing Date: May 10, 2026Salary: $120,317.00 - $156,412.00 / Year Primary Function Serve as LAO’s subject‑matter expert in civil mental health and administrative law. Lead the management and ongoing development of LAO’s Mental Health Appeals Program, support the evaluation of the mental health tariff, and provide expertise across a range of practice areas including criminal, family, refugee, and poverty law. The ideal candidate is a self‑motivated strategic thinker who takes initiative, operates with a high degree of autonomy, and proactively identifies opportunities to improve services and client outcomes for some of Ontario’s most vulnerable populations. Key Accountabilities Mental Health and Administrative Law Serve as LAO’s primary expert on civil mental health law, including matters before the Consent and Capacity Board (CCB) and other administrative tribunals. Lead the day‑to‑day management and strategic development of LAO’s Mental Health Appeals Program, ensuring high‑quality, timely representation for clients. Support the evaluation of the mental health tariff by analyzing current tariff structures, identifying gaps, and developing evidence‑based recommendations. Monitor developments in civil mental health law, administrative law, and related legislation, and advise LAO on implications for service delivery and policy. Support LAO in building and maintaining strong relationships with the mental health bar, CCB, courts, community mental health organisations, and the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office. Multi‑Area Legal Support Identify cross‑cutting issues affecting clients with mental health needs who are involved in multiple areas of law, and develop integrated approaches to service. Collaborate with colleagues leading other practice area initiatives to share knowledge, align strategies, and support a coherent LAO service model.



Program and Policy Development Drive reforms that align with LAO’s legislative mandate under the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020, and strategic priorities. Develop operational plans and service standards to increase access to quality legal representation for clients with mental health issues, including culturally appropriate and trauma‑informed approaches. Establish performance metrics to assess the impact of mental health and administrative law services and programmes. Prepare written and oral presentations for relevant LAO decision‑makers. Develop training and resources for LAO service providers, certificate lawyers, and staff on mental health law and related practice areas. Required Skills & Experience Legal Expertise Significant experience practising civil mental health law in Ontario, including direct experience appearing before the CCB. Working knowledge of the Health Care Consent Act, Mental Health Act, Substitute Decisions Act, and related legislation and regulations. Demonstrated knowledge of administrative law principles and practice before Ontario administrative tribunals. Familiarity with criminal, family, refugee, or poverty law practice is an asset, particularly in the context of legally‐aided clients. Understanding of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020, Legal Aid Services Rules, LAO policies, and LAO service channels (certificates/private bar lawyers, duty counsel/staff, entity service providers). Program and Policy Skills Record of designing and delivering strategies, programmes, or reforms at a senior level in a legal or justice‑sector context. Ability to link client needs, frontline legal practice, and legislative frameworks into actionable solutions. Experience in programme evaluation, tariff or funding analysis, reporting to funders, and using evidence to drive service improvement.



Ability to understand, interpret, and forecast financial, statistical, and performance data relevant to legal aid service delivery. Leadership and Communication Leadership experience with the ability to manage programmes, guide multidisciplinary teams, and influence senior decision‑making. Strong relationships with relevant legal and community stakeholders, including roster members, the CCB, psychiatric facilities, community legal clinics, and other justice partners. Robust written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing briefing materials for ministers or senior executives. Equity and Client‑Centred Practice Proven commitment to equity, cultural competence, and trauma‑informed approaches to legal service. Experience working with clients facing multiple and complex barriers to justice, including those living with serious mental illness, cognitive disabilities, or concurrent criminal and civil legal matters. Benefits Your health and wellness: 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 Your work‑life balance: 17 vacation days at hire Sick days 4 discretionary days 3 paid days for religious or cultural observances Statutory holidays and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day and Easter Monday Your career: Informal employee networks for staff with shared identities to connect, support each other and build professional networks Law Society of Ontario (LSO) accredited training to support learning and professional development for all employees EDIB‑focused training Mentorship programmes, including an Indigenous‑focused mentorship programme Your future: Employees are eligible to enroll in the defined benefit Public Service Pension Plan which provides financial security during retirement. #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Senior Advisor (24 Months) - C$120,317 - C$156,412 A Year (Toronto)
🏢 Legal Aid Ontario
📍 Toronto