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

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: Thunder Bay

Secondary/Tertiary Locations: travel is expected across the Northwest region including Fort Francis, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Lac Seul, Ignace, Red Lake, Marathon, Nipigon, Manitouwadge, Gerladton, Longlac, chreiber, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Kenora

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 client service, in-person attendance and travel will be required across the region to meet the needs of the court and clients such as court appearances and client meetings, as well for as any other LAO needs. Necessary travel expenses will be compensated.

Required Skills & Experience

- Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
- Ability to work with others in a fast-paced setting.
- Ability to work independently
- Collegial and team-oriented attitude with the ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams as required
- Sound judgment and problem solving skills.
- Applicants must meet LAO's Criminal Law Standards or Equivalencies, including demonstrated expertise and substantial recent involvement in criminal law as outlined at: https://www.legalaid.on.ca/lawyers-legal-professionals/interested-in-doing-legal-aid-work/criminal-law-standards.
- Applicants who are LAO Roster members must have a demonstrable record of service quality, including a history of a positive working relationship with LAO and be in good standing with legal accounts.
- Ability to develop an appropriate theory of a criminal case

📌 Senior Counsel, Criminal (Northeastern Ontario)
🏢 Legal Aid Ontario
📍 Northeastern Ontario