Lawyer/Review Counsel (SLASS) - Lakehead Legal Services (Student Legal Aid Clinic)

 
 
Lakehead Legal Services (Student Legal Aid Clinic)
Lawyer / Review Counsel (SLASS)

Lakehead Legal Services is Lakehead University's Student Legal Aid Clinic.  Our mandate is to provide excellent legal service to low income clients, as well as an experience based educational program for Lakehead Law students.  Our work includes individual case files, teaching, community outreach, advocacy projects and public legal education.

We are seeking an energetic, enthusiastic lawyer with sound judgement, and excellent interpersonal skills, to join the clinic as a Review Counsel.  The clinic will be providing legal services for low-income clients, initially, in the areas of Criminal Law, and Provincial Offences.  With the addition of a Review Counsel, we are seeking to expand our areas of service.  The ideal candidate will have expertise in a two or more of the following of areas of law:  Residential Tenancies, Small Claims (Civil Litigation), Consumer Rights, University Affairs (Student Discipline), Criminal Law, Criminal Injuries Compensation, and Poverty Law (including Income Security, Immigration, Human Rights or Employment standards / Wrongful Dismissal).  Experience in a Clinic environment is preferred.  The Review Counsel may also be called upon to teach a half or full course equivalent within the Faculty of Law.  To that end, we seek individuals who enjoy being in the classroom and have a passion for teaching.

Reporting to the Clinic Director, the Review Counsel's responsibilities include:

• Comprehensive and detailed supervision and evaluation of the work of law students including written and oral advocacy, client management, file management, legal analysis, legal research, legal drafting, legal problem solving, negotiations and professional ethics;
• Provision of legal services directly to clients when necessary;
• Development, implementation and supervision of public legal education, community outreach and advocacy projects;
• Assisting the Director with delivery and evaluation of the Clinic course or other teaching assignments as determined;

Qualifications:

• JD or LLB degree;
• Membership in the Law Society of Upper Canada (licenced to practise law in Ontario);
• Minimum of 5-15 years experience as a practising lawyer;
• A demonstrated ability in serving low-income clients and persons with disabilities in a respectful and sensitive manner;
• Interest and experience in areas of social justice and poverty law;
• Proven ability to supervise and mentor students;
• Familiarity with Legal Aid Ontario, its mandate and structure.

This is a full-time, permanent position.  Salary is commensurate with experience.  The position comes with a generous benefit package as well as membership in Lakehead University's professional pension plan.   If you are interested in applying, please submit your curriculum vitae and cover letter outlining your experience to:

Maria Dufresne
Administrative Manager, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Email:    lawfaculty@lakeheadu.ca

The deadline for applications is Wednesday July 8, 2015.  If you have questions about this position, please feel free to contact, Kimberley Gagan, Director, Lakehead Legal Services, at kgagan@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of visible minorities, Aboriginal persons and persons with disabilities.  We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified.