Community Staff Lawyer (Contract, Full-Time 12-months)
Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers trauma-informed legal services and representation, counselling and multilingual interpretation, and drives system transformation to support women and gender diverse people who have experienced violence. Rooted in the foundations of intersectionality, innovation, and a client-centred approach, we foster the skills and resilience of the people we serve and amplify their voices to create individual and collective change.

The Clinic’s Legal Department provides summary legal advice, brief services and representation in the areas of family and immigration law, and independent legal advice about various legal options for survivors of sexual assault and inmate partner violence The Legal Department is a collaborative team of lawyers, Family Court Support Workers and administrative staff. The Community Staff Lawyer will perform services as part of the Clinic’s Ontario-wide Independent Legal Advice program for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

We are seeking a lawyer with experience in feminist legal advocacy and gender-based violence within the intersecting context of family law, immigration law, and sexual violence for a full-ti me, 1-year contract with possibility for renewal.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
All duties and responsibilities will be carried out in accordance with Barbra Schlifer Clinic’s Mandate, Mission and Values Statements.

CLIENT SERVICES, ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION

Provide trauma-informed summary legal advice, brief intervention/advocacy services and representation to client survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and gender-based violence in the areas of criminal, civil, family, immigration and refugee law

Assist self-represented clients in advocating with third parties in relation to their experiences of violence

Provide trauma-informed legal representation when appropriate

Assess urgent legal matters and prioritize client issues/casework

Assess client needs for safety and social support and make appropriate referrals to legal and community resources

Assist with applications for legal aid and referrals to lawyers, as appropriate

Build partnerships and work with community agencies around Toronto and Ontario to receive referrals and provide summary legal advice to their clients with intersecting issues related to sexual assault and/or intimate partner violence

Provide services in various formats including in person, phone, video, and in community at partner agencies

Work with interpreters for the delivery of client services, as needed

Demonstrate commitment to increasing understanding of cultural context in service delivery and as it intersects with gender-based violence

SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY/ RESEARCH





Support in the design and delivery of professional development and public legal education presentations on issues relevant to gender-based violence and the law and trauma-informed practices

Support Director of Legal Services with outreach and relationship building with partner agencies

Be available to participate in various external stakeholder committees and coalitions to represent and promote the interests of survivors of violence

Build and maintain knowledge of the Clinic’s areas of legal practice, including updates on case law, statutes and regulations relating to legal processes affecting survivors of sexual assault, inmate partner violence and gender-based violence

STUDENT AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Assist in the delivery of orientation/training, supervision, mentoring and evaluation of Clinic’s law students and volunteers

ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER

Follow appropriate file/case management practices and maintain clear and complete client records

Collect and report statistics as required by the Clinic and funder reports

Attend Legal Department and Clinic-wide meetings

Engage in annual program planning and program evaluation, where appropriate

Work collaboratively with other department staff including Intake, Counselling, Interpretation Services, Fundraising and Executive Office

Comply with all Clinic policies and procedures as revised from time to time

SUPERVISION, TRAINING AND ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Participate in orientation, training and ongoing professional development programs as may be required by the Clinic and the Law Society of Ontario to ensure proficiency in all areas of responsibility

Attend knowledge enhancement sessions organized by the Clinic

Participate in ongoing supervision and periodic performance evaluations, as may be required by the Clinic

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

The Community Staff Lawyer is a member of the Clinic’s Legal Department. They will be collaborative and supportive members of the Legal Department team and will work collaboratively with other staff and Departments, as appropriate

The Community Staff Lawyer will report to and be supervised by the Director of Legal Services

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1-2 years’ experience in the practice of law related to sexual assault or intimate partner violence, with specific expertise in feminist legal advocacy; ability for some travel to community partner sites across GTA and Ontario

Membership in good standing in the Law Society of Ontario





Ability to empathize and communicate well with clients in a non-judgmental manner

Demonstrated ability to advocate strongly on behalf of clients and to engage in community development, public legal education, professional development and law reform on issues relevant to survivors of gender-based violence

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time-management and problem-solving skills; written and oral communication skills

Understanding of legal and social issues of violence against women and gender-based violence consistent with a feminist, intersectional, anti-oppression analysis

Commitment to working cooperatively in an inclusive, woman-positive, multi-disciplinary setting

Intermediate/advanced level skills in various computer applications and utilization of other office technology

Fluency in a language other than English is an asset

CORE COMPETENCIES

Commitment to working collaboratively with and supporting clients of diversity within the context of a diverse agency

Engagement in a trauma-informed, self-reflective, ethical and collaborative practice that is nonjudgmental and empathic and reflects the vision and mission statements of the Clinic

Incorporation of principles of diversity and equity in responding to the service needs of clients

Commitment to working toward removing systemic barriers to women’s independence and wellbeing

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time-management and critical thinking skills, written and oral communication skills

Ability to work and support others in the context of a diverse environment

Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment

Be a self-starter, creative and highly motivated

Share ideas and differences in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation

Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development

SALARY: starting salary is $75,808 annually

A comprehensive benefits package is offered through a group plan as part of our United Way membership, following a successful probationary period

The position also includes pro-rated payment of Law Society Membership fees and Law Pro Insurance coverage.

DEADLINE: Resumes are currently being accepted, the posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is engaged. We would like to fill the position immediately.

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes candidates from equity seeking groups and is committed to providing accommodation for people with disabilities

Please let us know if you require accommodation due to a disability during any aspect of the recruitment process, and we will work with you to address your needs.

We thank all candidates for their interest. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

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📌 Community Staff Lawyer (Contract, Full-Time 12-months) (Ontario)
🏢 Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
📍 Ontario