Job Location: Toronto

Job Category: Legal

Open Positions: 1

Posting Date: November 5, 2026

Closing Date: November 19, 2026

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.

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.

Primary function The Senior Counsel Program has provincial scope and complements LAO’s existing mixed model of private bar and duty counsel services by providing eligible clients with another option for high quality full representation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting vulnerable clients on a wide range of criminal matters, up to and including full trial representation. Senior Counsel also accept court appointments, and facilitate mentorship opportunities for staff lawyers and private counsel to further enhance access to justice.

Home location: Toronto and the GTA

Secondary/Tertiary Locations: Hamilton, Milton, Brantford

Reports to: Director and Manager, Legal Services – Senior Counsel Program

Key accountabilities

Work in conjunction with existing LAO staff lawyers, paralegals and Legal Aid Workers (LAWs) including in respect of responding to client referrals.

Carriage of criminal matters through to trial where client is eligible for, and wishes, the services of LAO Senior Counsel for extremely vulnerable and hard-to-serve clients, for example, those with mental health issues, who are homeless, street-involved, suffering with substance abuse, dealing with current or past intimate partner/domestic abuse, Indigenous,



Racialized, and youth.

Conduct special and complex lengthy bail hearings, bail reviews, fitness hearings, NCR hearings, and ORB hearings.

Accept court appointments (primarily Amicus, 672.24, possibly 486.3 and O’Connor/Mills) and advance test case or public interest litigation, where appropriate.

Conduct client meetings and provide timely, clear and concise professional advice to clients.

Perform legal research to ensure the best outcome for the client.

Draft relevant legal documents in a timely and efficient matter.

Maintain currency of legal knowledge in criminal law, specifically relevant to the social justice sector.

Fulfill case management responsibilities to deliver the efficient defence of criminal matters.

Perform all administrative duties relating to file management to ensure efficient and timely management of client files and to support the Department’s business needs.

Maintain currency and compliance with LAO training, policies and procedures, including timely submission of dockets and disbursements and any expenses incurred.

Serve as mentors to duty counsel, providing coaching and support where needed, and where suitable, continuing professional development.

Provide mentoring and guidance to non-lawyer staff, particularly with respect to making appropriate referrals to the certificate program.

Partner on select matters with private counsel to support the certificate roster.

As needed, work in multi-disciplinary teams on projects, working groups and committees to recommend program enhancements and to design, improve and implement ideas arising from those committees.

As needed for

📌 Senior Counsel, Criminal (Winnipeg)
🏢 Perfdrive
📍 Winnipeg