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

This position is responsible for providing direct client service and for assisting the Hamilton Criminal duty counsel office. This position is designated as a full-time, in‑person role. However, employees may be required to work remotely on occasion, depending on operational requirements.

The responsibilities of this position will be to assist the criminal duty counsel office by providing direct client service and administrative support, including client and surety interviews; triaging client needs and referring clients to appropriate services and resources.

The legal aid worker would also be required to support Criminal Duty Counsel Services by triaging clients over phone, as this is regularly the first point of contact for clients entering Duty Counsel programs. The position would monitor messages, return calls, conduct DCFET assessments to determine the best course of action for the client.

With this, the Legal Aid Worker would be expected to understand all certificate management functions, to answer both clients and judicial stakeholders. This includes knowledge of roster management.





The position also requires strong knowledge of PeopleSoft functions, including Service Integration/Duty Counsel Worksheet systems.

Primary location: Hamilton Criminal Duty Counsel office at the Hamilton Criminal Courthouse

Secondary Location: N/A

Reporting to: Manager, District Operations

Key accountabilities

- Carry out initial intake of clients, including administering the financial and legal eligibility tests
- Assess or triage client needs in order to refer clients to the appropriate resource(s) and/or service(s).
- Assist clients and lawyers on the phone and/or in‑person by providing general information, including court procedures, the status of applications, appeals or referrals.
- Assist in scheduling duty counsel.
- Monitor Criminal Duty Counsel Email systems, and organize local disclosure requests
- Conduct client and surety interviews in criminal matters.
- Input client data in PeopleSoft through Service Integration.
- Liaise with private bar lawyers and other appropriate court stakeholders.
- Ensure printed materials, documents and office supplies are replenished and maintained at the office.
- Complete certificate management through district worklists such as amendments, authorizations, change of solicitors
- Prepare contribution agreements, certificates, forms and general correspondences




- Support roster management through enrolment and issues
- Support specialty courts such as the Mental Health and Drug Treatment Court, Indigenous Persons Court, and Single Judge‑Led Case Management Court Pilot through client intake, certificate status updates, and other administrative support as needed.
- Assist with commissioning of surety declarations
- Perform other duties as required.

Required Skills & Experience

- Excellent communication, interpersonal and interview skills.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in interacting with clients, lawyers, judiciary and other agencies, especially in stressful situations.
- Ability to effectively identify the needs of the clients, in order to refer them to the appropriate services.
- Sound knowledge of LAO guidelines, policies and procedures.
- Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to current or modified policies and procedures.
- Good understanding of criminal court processes, rules and practice.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation would be an asset, such as the Criminal Code of Canada, Controlled Drug & Substance Act, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft programs (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Intermediate knowledge of Zoom and or other video software programs
- Experience in the use of PeopleSoft (Service Integration) programs
- Legal education background, either degree, diploma, or professional designation such as Paralegal or Law Clerk or first hand court experience as a Lawyer agent would be considered an asset

What do we offer?

- We have a comprehensive health and wellness program th

📌 Legal Aid Worker (Canada)
🏢 Legal Aid Ontario
📍 Canada