Non-profit

Family Lawyer

May 2, 2016

Full-time, Permanent Position

The Barbra Schlifer Clinic offers legal representation, professional counselling and multilingual interpretation to women who have experienced violence. Our diverse, skilled and compassionate staff accompany women through personal and practical transformation, helping them to build lives free from violence.

We are currently seeking a family lawyer, with experience in domestic violence, for a full-time permanent position. The staff family lawyer will be responsible for the delivery of legal services to the Clinic’s clients, for the delivery of a variety of public legal education and professional development programs on family law and for the coordination of the legal department’s student education and volunteer programs. The staff lawyer will engage in various program planning and evaluation processes and external stakeholder relations, as appropriate.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Client Services and Representation:

Represents clients in family law applications before the Ontario Courts of Justice;
Provides summary legal advice and brief interventions/advocacy services to victims of domestic violence in the areas of family law;
Assists self-represented clients in the drafting of various litigation documents and pleadings including applications, affidavits, financial statements, case conference briefs, settlement and trial management conference briefs and net family property statements, etc.;
Assesses urgent legal matters and prioritizes client issues/casework;
Interest in independent legal advice for sexual assault survivors considered an asset.

2. Systemic Advocacy/Law Reform:

Participates on various external stakeholder committees and coalitions to represent and promote the interests of survivors of violence where appropriate;
Participates in a variety of law reform initiatives on behalf of the Clinic to promote legislative and legal system changes where appropriate;
Engages in the design and delivery of professional development and public legal education programs on issues relevant to violence against women and the law.

3. Student and Volunteer Program:

Assists in the delivery of orientation/training, supervision and evaluation of Clinic’s law student and volunteer programs.

4. Research:

Keeps apprised of, and updated on, case law, statutes and regulations relating to the practice of family law.

5. Administration and Other:

Adheres to appropriate file/case management practices and keeps proper client records and statistics as required by the Clinic;
Attend all legal department meetings;
Engages in annual program planning and program evaluations where appropriate;
Comply with all Clinic policies and procedures as revised from time to time.

SUPERVISION, TRAINING AND ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Participation in orientation, training and ongoing professional development programs as may be required by the Clinic and as required by the Law Society of Upper Canada to ensure proficiency in all areas of responsibility;
Participation in ongoing supervision and periodic performance evaluations, as may be required by the Clinic.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: The Staff Family Lawyer is a member of the Clinic’s Legal Department. She will report to and be supervised by the Director of Legal Services.

All duties and responsibilities will be carried out in accordance with the Barbra Schlifer Clinic’s Mandate, Mission and Values Statements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Membership in good standing in the Law Society of Upper Canada;
1-3 years experience in the practice of family law (essential);
Ability to empathize and communicate well with clients in a non-judgmental manner;
Demonstrated ability to advocate strongly on behalf of clients and to engage in community development, public legal education, professional development and law reform on issues relevant to survivors of violence;
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time-management and problem-solving skills; written and oral communication skills;
Intermediate/advanced level skills in various computer applications and utilization of other office technology;
Understanding of legal and social issues of violence against women consistent with a feminist, anti-oppression analysis;
Commitment to working cooperatively in a woman positive, multi-disciplinary environment;
Fluency in a language other than English an asset.

CORE COMPETENCIES INCLUDE:

Commitment to working collaboratively with and supporting women of diversity within the context of a diverse agency;
Engagement in a self-reflective, ethical & collaborative practice that is non-judgmental and empathetic and reflects the vision and mission statements of the Clinic;
Incorporation of principles of diversity and equity in responding to the service needs of women;
Commitment to working toward removing systemic barriers to women’s independence and well-being;
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time-management and problem-solving skills; written and oral communication skills;
Ability to work and support others in the context of a diverse environment;
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment;
Be a self-starter, creative and highly motivated;
Share ideas and differences in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation; and,
Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development

SALARY: Commensurate with non-profit sector. All positions include a comprehensive benefits package offered through a group plan as part of our United Way membership and include payment of Law Society Membership fees and Law Pro Insurance coverage.

The Barbra Schlifer Clinic promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women of all races, colours, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

We thank all candidates for their interest. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

DEADLINES FOR RESUMES: May 31, 2016 at 5:00 pm.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume:

By email to: m.izakov@schliferclinic.com (in ONE attachment, as a PDF or Word Doc )

Subject Title: Hiring Committee (Family Lawyer)

By fax to: (416) 323-9107

Attn: Hiring Committee (Family Lawyer) c/o Marina Izakov

Or by mail to:

Attn: Hiring Committee (Family Lawyer)

c/o Marina Izakov

Barbra Schlifer Clinic

489 College St. Suite 503