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Job Title Associate Director, Community Legal Services
Employee Group PMA - Professional and Managerial Association
The base salary will be $90,460 - $129,090 per annum. Starting salary will be aligned with the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and demonstrated qualifications.
About Western Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.
About Us Community Legal Services (CLS) is a Student Legal Services Organization (SLSO) as defined by the Legal Aid Services Act of Ontario (2020). It is a legal clinic within Western Law that provides free legal advice and representation to low income and marginalized members of the London / Middlesex community, including Western students. Current areas of service include Criminal and Provincial Offences, Housing Law, Civil Litigation (Small Claims Court) and Family Law. CLS also provides public legal education to community members and organizations. We are funded by Legal Aid Ontario, Law Foundation of Ontario, Western University Student Council and the Faculty of Law.
Responsibilities The Associate Director, Community Legal Services (CLS) provides leadership, daily operational oversight, and legal supervision to ensure the clinic fulfills its dual mandate: delivering high-quality legal services to marginalized communities and offering experiential learning opportunities to law students. In consultation with the Dean and Director, Strategy & Operations, the Associate Director plays a key role in providing daily leadership for CLS staff and students. The Associate Director helps to strengthen integration with Western Law’s strategic direction, including enhancing experiential learning for students, and serving our community.



This role provides supervision, mentorship, and evaluation of law students, in accordance with CLS, Western University policies, and the Law Society of Ontario’s Rules of Professional Conduct. The Associate Director supports CLS’s broader mission through community outreach, advocacy projects, and public legal education initiatives, while ensuring alignment with institutional and funder priorities.
Qualifications Education:
Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, licensed to practice law in Ontario
Experience:
7 years of experience practicing law, with a strong background in litigation and advocacy
2 years of experience supervising staff, mentoring law students in a clinical or academic setting and participating in stakeholder engagement
Demonstrated leadership in legal clinic operations or public interest law preferred
Experience in multiple areas of law relevant to CLS (e.g., housing, civil litigation, family law, human rights, academic appeals, employment law) preferred
Familiarity with legal aid structures and mandates preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Strong legal knowledge in substantive and procedural law across CLS service areas
Advanced advocacy, negotiation, and legal analysis skills
Familiarity with university policies, legal clinic operations, and funding compliance
Ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams, including legal professionals and students
Familiarity with Legal Aid and its mandates and structures
Strategic thinking and operational planning capabilities
Excellent mentorship and coaching skills, particularly in experiential legal education
High ethical standards and commitment to professional conduct




Competency to maintain confidentiality and treat sensitive information with discretion
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal concepts for diverse audiences
Ability to handle details with a high degree of accuracy to review and revise legal documentation
Cross-cultural competency and sensitivity in working with marginalized populations
Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and with case management software
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure setting
Ability to work well under pressure and handle multiple conflicting priorities in a quick-paced environment
Ability to apply critical thinking to evaluate information and make appropriate decisions or recommendations
Ability and willingness to employ a consultative and collaborative approach to addressing issues and making decisions
Ability to work both independently, taking initiative and following through on work assignments, and effectively as a member of the team to achieve clinic goals
Familiarity with University policies and procedures is an asset
Please note, successful applicants will be required to complete a credit check satisfactory to the employer.
Western Values Diversity The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone (phone hidden).
Please Note: This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

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📌 Associate Director, Community Legal Services (Ontario)
🏢 Western University
📍 Ontario