MANAGING LAWYER
Court-Based Law Help Centre — Ottawa
Pro Bono Ontario (PBO) is hiring for the position of Managing Lawyer of the Law Help Centre at the 161 Elgin Street Courthouse in Ottawa. PBO seeks a dynamic, self-starting lawyer to spearhead innovative pro bono services that increase access to justice for low-income Ontarians. This is a full-time position, reporting to the Executive Director. Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits are included.
ABOUT PBO
PBO bridges the justice gap between lawyers who want to give back to their communities and low-income Ontarians with legal issues that are not covered by Legal Aid. PBO manages a number of pro bono programs and also provides strategic guidance, training and tailored technical support to law firms, law associations, legal departments and other groups that are interested in providing pro bono legal services to persons of limited means as well as the communities and charitable organizations that serve them.
ABOUT THE OTTAWA LAW HELP CENTRE
The Ottawa Law Help Centre is one of PBO’s three court-based help centres that provide a suite of services to low-income, self-represented litigants with civil non-family matters. Services include legal information, court form completion assistance, summary legal advice and occasional representation in court. Services are provided in person to individuals in the Ottawa area and by phone to individuals across Ontario.
MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE:
- Managing the Ottawa Law Help Centre in accordance with the guidelines established in PBO’s Best Practices and the Rules of Professional Conduct;
- Conducting outreach and relationship building with all program stakeholders including clients, volunteers, judges, masters, court staff and local legal organizations;
- Overseeing intake, screening and service delivery;
- Overseeing all aspects of administration and program operations, including quality control;
- Recruiting and supervising program staff and volunteers;
- Providing summary legal advice to self-represented litigants, as needed;
- Maintaining program statistics on an ongoing basis;
ADDITIONAL DUTIES INCLUDE:
- Designing and managing the development of legal information for self-represented litigants;
- Developing resources and continuing professional development programs for volunteers;
- Assisting with the development and implementation of project evaluations;
- Assisting with the development of new and innovative ways to meet the skyrocketing demand for legal services among low-income Ontarians.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Member in good standing with The Law Society of Upper Canada;
- A minimum of five years of practice experience as a civil litigator, including experience at the Superior Court of Justice;
- Ability to work independently using initiative, tact, diplomacy and sound judgment. This includes ability to work well under pressure, have excellent organizational abilities, set and meet deadlines, be able to manage several priorities in a day and be adaptable and work well with minimal local supervision;
- Proven management and leadership skills including excellent skills in supervising staff, mentoring, training, and promoting a positive work ethic and work environment;
- A passion and demonstrable ability to promote access to justice and work with vulnerable clientele;
- Ability to communicate effectively – orally and in writing – with a variety of stakeholders including the legal profession, the judiciary, court services and the general public.
- Bilingualism in English and French would be an asset but is not required.
TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter and resume with the subject line Managing Lawyer, Ottawa Law Help Centre to:
Pro Bono Ontario
900-90 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, ON M4P 2Y3
Email: [email protected]
Submission deadline: March 3, 2017
Pro Bono Ontario welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.