Job Description:
Pro Bono Ontario is a registered charity that provides free legal services to low-income Ontarians who do not qualify for legal aid. Staff and volunteers on PBO’s province-wide Free Legal Advice Hotline provide summary advice and legal drafting services to people with a variety of civil, non-family legal problems.
PBO is seeking a Staff Lawyer for the Hotline’s Consumer Protection and Debt line. The Hotline answers approximately 30,000 calls each year and makes a significant difference in the lives of people who would not otherwise have access to legal assistance, including people who have fallen prey to unfair business practices and a host of related consumer law challenges.
This role offers the right candidate the opportunity to use their legal training to assist vulnerable Ontarians with issues that can severely impact their well-being, while working in a friendly environment that prioritizes work-life balance.
Under the mentorship of PBO lawyers, you will become an expert in this specialized area of law and put your advocacy skills to use by:
- Answering Hotline calls and providing summary legal advice to callers with consumer law issues by phone in accordance with a schedule to be determined.
- Providing real-time substantive support to volunteer lawyers answering consumer calls on the Hotline.
- Identifying clients who require enhanced short term pro bono services and providing those services.
- Staying current in developments in consumer protection law and updating other staff members on relevant changes.
- Participating in program evaluation activities, including reviewing client feedback provided by email surveys, completing client follow-up calls and compiling activities and outcome data for monthly reporting.
Qualifications:
- A lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- Minimum of one year of demonstrated legal experience representing clients in civil matters.
- Knowledge of the Consumer Protection Act and the Sale of Goods Act are an asset.
- Strong legal and advocacy skills and written and oral communication skills.
- Ability and willingness to adapt to new technologies and work within PBO’s specialized case management system.
- Excellent Word, Excel, Microsoft Outlook and internet research skills.
- Ability to collaborate and work as a team with others.
- Ability to complete tasks on clients’ behalf, meet tight deadlines, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work remotely and in-person in Toronto.
Assets:
- Experience working with a diverse range of clients from low-income and marginalized groups, including senior citizens and newcomers to Canada.
- Experience litigating at the Superior Court level (including Small Claims Court).
- Experience using Salesforce.
- Fluency in French or another language.
Status:
Full time
Location:
Remotely and at PBO’s head office in Toronto, as needed
Deadline to Apply:
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
