Director of Legal Services

May 2, 2016

Full-time, Permanent Position

Following the retirement of our founding Legal Director, the Barbra Schlifer Clinic is seeking a visionary, exceptional and energetic full-time Director of Legal Services to manage the Legal Services department. This includes program and service delivery and development, supervising staff, writing funding submissions and reports, identifying test case litigation and law reform, media appearances, and consulting with stakeholders. This position commences as soon as possible.

The Barbra Schlifer Clinic (the “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 a centre by, for and about women. We amplify women’s voices, and cultivate their skills and resilience. Together with our donors and volunteers, we are active in changing the conditions that threaten women’s safety, dignity and equality.

The Legal Department offers legal representation, training and advocacy from feminist perspectives on law in family law, immigration law, and criminal law, as well as independent legal advice for sexual assault survivors. We are a leading voice on these issues in Canada

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management

• Oversees the overall development of the legal department and the delivery and evaluation of legal programs and services;
• As a member of the senior management team, develops a long term strategic plan for the clinic which includes department short and long term goals;
• Attends board and committee meetings to act as a resource and share information;
• Provides the Clinic with advice related to service provision, legal education and law reform issues;
• Prepares annual funding submissions to legal department funders and prepares reports for funders;
• Leads department meetings, facilitates participation, identifies and resolves issues;
• Develops, recommends and implements department policies and procedures to support the strategic plan, program and service delivery and the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic;
• Develops, recommends and implements department and program budgets, monitoring progress throughout the year and taking corrective action;
• Attends management meetings to present department concerns and work with other managers for the good of the Clinic; and
• Acts as a liaison and advisor to government and non-governmental institutions and agencies on legal issues related to the legal rights of female victims of violence, access to justice and other issues.

Supervision

• Supervises staff and students, interviewing and hiring new employees, carrying out performance appraisals, directing the training and development of staff and carrying out disciplinary actions;
• Supervises daily operations to ensure that Clinic and funder policies and procedures are followed and that work is carried out in a safe manner;
• Coaches and counsels staff to ensure optimal morale, provide motivation, identify issues and mediate conflict;
• Oversees and directs the annual hiring process for an articling student;
• Monitors staff participation in mandatory professional development programs and compliance with Law Society of Upper Canada regulations;
• Oversees the design and implementation of Clinical Education programs for U of T law students and other law students which includes liaising with representatives of Toronto law schools regarding the annual placement of students and placement requirements;
• Oversees the coordination of law student volunteers in the legal department and oversees the design and delivery of law student training, supervision and evaluations; and
• Oversees legal staff participation in community coalitions, organizations, networks, community development processes, law reform and systemic advocacy initiatives on behalf of women victims of violence.

Client Services

• Provides summary legal advice to victims of domestic violence in the areas of family and criminal law and other areas of administrative law;
• Advocates on behalf of clients with a variety of representatives of other legal service providers such as representatives of Legal Aid Ontario, Criminal Justice System personnel and others; and
• Receives and processes client complaints.

Research

• Researches, interprets and assesses legal precedents for relevance to client cases;
• Consults with members of the bar and other legal system professionals, experts in non-legal fields and community representatives to coordinate services, create efficiencies, identify emerging trends and create systemic responses to victims of violence: and
• Keeps apprised and updated on case law, statutes, regulations and guidelines in areas of law relevant to the Clinic’s legal programs and services.

Systemic Advocacy/Law Reform

• Participates on various external stakeholder Advisory Committees and Boards of Directors of legal service organizations to represent and promote the interests of survivors of violence;
• Works within Clinic communications objectives to comment on legal matters relevant to our clients;
• Engages in a variety of law reform initiatives on behalf of the Clinic and in alliance with other social justice organizations to promote legislative and legal system change, including intervener applications to the Supreme Court of Canada;
• Liaises with and advises other not for profit organizations and legal and non-legal service providers on issues relating to legal systems that impact on their clients and on their client cases;
• Oversees the design and delivery of public legal education and professional development programs for the legal, health care and other professional and service providers; and
• Designs and manages a variety of community development projects undertaken by the legal department.

Agency and Team Support

• Fosters inter-departmental collaboration to ensure smooth operations of the Clinic and a quality level of service;
• Consults with internal staff to provide responses to legal issues, concerns and questions;
• Communicates with team members to share information, provide debriefing opportunities and resolve problems;
• Recommends legal software and other legal resources;
• Creates and recommends legal department policies, protocols and practices in support of service and program delivery.
• Participates in Professional Development Programs to expand knowledge and skills;
• Works collaboratively with and supports the diversity of women within the context of a diverse agency;
• Represents the Clinic in public fora and events to promote the Clinic’s mission and mandate; and
• Establishes a department planning process which includes developing short and long term goals for the department and individual staff.

Administration

• Prepares Quarterly and Year-End Reports for funders;
• Oversees cheque requisitions for legal expenditures;
• Oversees Annual Filings for Law Society of Upper Canada and LAW Pro, ensuring payment of annual fees and submission of annual reports;
• Oversees the collection and storage of information and client data; and
• Oversees the management of client files.

Other

• Complies with Clinic and funder policies and procedures; and
• Performs other tasks as assigned by management.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a lawyer;
• Demonstrated management experience;
• 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, not for profit environment;
•  Demonstrated innovation and initiative;
• Strong consultation, facilitation, mediation and negotiation skills;
• Analytical and strategic in thinking;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with computer software including but not limited to: Word Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and PeopleSoft;
• Knowledge of the law relating to family, immigration and administrative matters; and
• Member in good standing of the Law Society of Upper Canada

SALARY: This position’s salary range is $80,800- $90,900 per annum. All positions include a comprehensive benefits package offered through a group plan as part of our United Way membership.

START DATE: Immediately

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.

DEADLINE FOR RESUMES: Deadline for application is May 31, 2016.

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: Legal Director Hiring Committee

By fax to: (416) 323-9107 Attn: Legal Director Hiring Committee c/o Marina Izakov

Or by mail to: Attn: Legal Director Hiring Committee

c/o Marina Izakov

Barbra Schlifer Clinic

489 College St. Suite 503

Toronto, ON M6G 1A5

In your cover letter, please indicate where you found our job posting.

No phone calls please.