Description:
This position is responsible for providing client service under the direct supervision of the Manager of Legal Services, Toronto District. The individual selected for this position will be expected to work, as required, at any location in the City of Toronto where criminal law duty counsel services are provided, including the Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto, the Toronto Region Bail Centre and the Toronto South Detention Centre.
The legal worker will meet with criminal law clients to assist in determining the appropriate service for the client, the referral to appropriate services and resources, and provide basic public legal information to criminal law clients and will assist in preparing matters for bail court. The legal worker will also speak to routine administrative matters in court, under the supervision of a lawyer.
Home Location: 10 Armoury Street, Toronto (OCJT)
Secondary Locations: 2201 Finch Avenue W (TRBC), Toronto South Detention Centre, and any other location in Toronto where Toronto district services are provided.
Reporting to: Manager, Legal Services
Key accountabilities
- Interview clients under the supervision of a lawyer to: To gather information about the client’s case; Assess client need, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to determine the appropriate LAO service for the client and refer to that service; and prepare them to have a productive meeting with a staff lawyer
- Under the supervision of a staff lawyer or manager, interview potential sureties and make referrals to agencies
- Under the supervision of a lawyer, speak to routine administrative matters in court
- Collaborate with colleagues to maintain accurate organized electronic client files
- Manage email and voicemail by responding to such communications or directing them to the appropriate colleague
- Determine legal and financial eligibility for certificate and duty counsel services based on LAO eligibility criteria
- Other tasks as assigned
Required skills & experience
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and interview skills, and sound judgment for dealing with clients, lawyers and other agencies;
- Familiarity and competence with basic criminal law processes and procedure
- Familiarity with relevant criminal law;
- Understanding of solicitor-client privilege and duty to maintain client confidentiality
- Ability to speak to routine administrative matters in court
- Ability to determine legal and financial eligibility based on LAO eligibility criteria
- Knowledge of Peoplesoft and other computer programs and systems;
- Demonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including video conferencing technology and Smartphones/iPhones;
- Excellent word processing skills;
- Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Demonstrated fluency in both French and English.