Staff Lawyer, PLC Surrey - Term P053-21

LEGAL AID BC

POSTING

 

TO:                                           LABC STAFF (cc: PEA)

 

FROM:                                      HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

 

POSITION:                               STAFF LAWYER, PARENTS LEGAL CENTRE – SURREY

 

ONE FULL-TIME TERM POSITION (to October 28, 2022)

 

COMPETITION NO:                  P053-21

 

DATE POSTED:                        September 27, 2021

 

CLOSING DATE:                      October 13, 2021

 

STARTING DATE:                    December 20, 2021

 

SALARY CLASSIFICATION:     Minimum Year Call 2

 

SALARY:                                  As per the PEA Salary Schedule            

 

PRIMARY FUNCTION:   

 

Reporting to the Managing Lawyer or Excluded Manager, this position works within the context of Legal Aid BC policies and is responsible for providing legal counsel and representation, including duty counsel, in the full range of family law practice including separation, divorce, custody/access, property division and child protection matters. This position works collaboratively with community advocates in developing legal services, programs and law reform. This position will work closely with Indigenous people and their communities with a sensitivity to cultural and Tribal/Nation differences.

 

 

The following job duties are illustrative examples, and shall not be construed as an exhaustive description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

 

DUTIES:

 

1.     Provides family/child protection law services including, summary legal advice and information to clients and individual case representation, and provides duty counsel services in courts as assigned.

2.     Conducts legal research and prepares required documents.

3.     Develops solutions to family problems and acts for clients in all family matters at hearings, trials and appeals in all levels of BC Courts.

4.     Discusses, negotiates and resolves case matters by working with opposing lawyers, judges, witnesses and police as appropriate.

5.     Provides day to day supervision and work direction including performance planning, coaching and feedback sessions to support staff.

6.     Supports the work of the Family Law Practice Group.

7.     Develops and delivers public legal education in family/child protection law as required and time permits.

8.     Collaborates with community advocates through the exchange of information and assistance with Legal Aid BC work and law reform work.

9.     Builds relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal community by attending community cultural events and conferences etc. to network, raise awareness of Legal Aid BC and services, present information and identify community needs.

10.  Assists in the development and delivery workshops to train band members, Chiefs and Council and community members (intermediaries and the public) on a variety of issues related to their needs including Child Protection, Family Relations Act, civil law and mediation as required.

11.  Provide advice on service issues, policy development, pilot projects, and local practices in the Region.

12.  Provides time logs, completes tariff billings and monthly caseload reports as requested and in accordance with standard requirements.

13.  Develop partnerships and effective working relationships with the private bar and other justice system participants in the Region.

14.  Performs other related duties as required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Basic requirements

·        A degree from a Law School of recognized standing and membership or eligibility for membership in the Law Society of British Columbia.

·        Experience as per job posting year of call requirements, in general practice with an emphasis on family and child protection law.

·        Experience supervising support staff.

·        Experience at Provincial and Supreme Court levels involving the full range of family and child protection law issues.

 

·        Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

·        Knowledge of family and child protection law and practice.

·        An understanding of Indigenous issues, cultures as well as Indigenous community groups and agencies and current issues affecting Indigenous communities.

·        Knowledge of traditional native justice concepts, alternative measures, mediation and diversion practices.

·        Knowledge of administrative principles, practices, techniques, policies and legislative development relevant to indigenous programs, services and activities.

·        An awareness of government laws and policies impacting Indigenous peoples.

·        Ability to communicate and relate to Indigenous people and their communities, with sensitivity to cultural and Tribal/Nation differences.

·        Knowledge of local community resources and familiar with the structure and history of Indigenous communities within BC.

·        Ability to understand and apply Legal Aid BC Policy and Procedures.

·        Experience and interest in Public Legal Education (PLE).

·        Ability to develop resourceful solutions to legal problems of clients and competing claims.

·        Ability to aggressively assert the rights of persons in all family law matters at Provincial and Supreme Court levels.

·        Demonstrate solid legal analyses of client issues.

·        Ability to work with, negotiate, discuss and resolve matters with opposing lawyers, witnesses, police and Judges as appropriate.

·        Ability to make effective courtroom presentations.

·        Demonstrate strong problem solving and decision making abilities.

·        Ability to handle heavy workload demands and meet deadlines.

·        Ability to carry a caseload and close a specified number of files annually in accordance with standard requirements.

·        Ability to handle a high stress environment with multiple tasks running simultaneously.

·        Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.

·        Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).

·        Must have a proven record of success as a lawyer.

·        Must be willing to keep time logs, complete tariff billings and monthly caseload reports in a timely manner.

·        Ability to work with people who are low income, physically or emotionally disabled, illiterate, whose first language is not English or who are otherwise disadvantaged.

·        Must have awareness and sensitivity to cultural influences in the community.

·        Must be proficient in a Windows based computerized environment using word processing, email and legal research applications.

 

Employment is conditional upon completing and obtaining clearance from the following: ·         Criminal Record Check (CRC) in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act ·         Law Society Check

 

 

We offer (based on your employment status and affiliation):

 

  

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.legalaid.bc.ca

 

We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted.  Legal Aid BC is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian Society. We are committed to employment equity and encourage applications from indigenous people, visible minorities, women and persons with disabilities.