Community Lawyer, Income Security, Anti-Violence, and Health Focus / Clinical Instructor Position
Two-Year Contract
Parkdale Community Legal Services (PCLS) is one of Legal Aid Ontario’s network of community legal clinics providing poverty law services. PCLS is also a teaching clinic for Osgoode Hall Law School and law students are our primary caseworkers, supervised by PCLS staff. We serve low-income clients in a culturally diverse community on the west side of the city, particularly in the areas of housing and homelessness, immigration and migrant rights law, workers’ rights issues, and social assistance, violence and health issues, in conjunction with community development work to address systemic issues of poverty and social exclusion.
PCLS seeks a skilled and experienced community lawyer to supervise students in primarily income security (e.g. social assistance), anti-violence, and health casework and to work for positive legal and social change in areas related to income security, anti-violence, and health. We welcome applicants with at least three years of experience in the above areas of law, especially with Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Working in a team to supervise students and advance social justice, the lawyer will also be actively involved in community outreach, public legal education and law reform initiatives. The position is a two-year, full-time contract position. The anticipated start date is April 25, 2022.
As the position requires the lawyer to teach, mentor, and supervise five law students, the successful applicant will be required to work mostly in-office, unless the person requires accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact John No (Interim Clinic Director) at noj@lao.on.ca.
Qualifications
- A lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- At least three years of legal experience in the areas of social assistance (e.g. ODSP and Ontario Works), anti-violence and health related issues that disproportionately target low-income or marginalized communities.
- Substantial experience representing community members before the Social Benefits Tribunal.
- Demonstrated skills in mentoring and/or teaching.
- Experience or ability to supervise students with full caseloads, meeting tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a quick-paced environment requiring quick and appropriate judgment calls while supervising students with full caseloads.
- Ability to work under little supervision managing and serving sensitive community needs.
- Demonstrated commitment to working from an anti-oppression and social justice framework.
- Experience working with a diverse range of clients from low income and marginalized groups, in particular clients with mental health challenges.
- Appreciation of the nature and role of community organizing and systemic community work.
- Ability to identify legal issues and community legal needs relating to income security, anti-violence and health related activities and to express and explain these to others.
- Ability to diffuse tense situations and to assist people in crisis in a calming and helpful manner.
Assets
- Familiarity with resources in the community.
- Understanding of the Osgoode Intensive Program in Poverty Law.
- Advanced online casefile management skills and related IT skills.
- Familiarity with the Legal Aid Ontario Clinic Information Management System (CIMS).
- Knowledge of a second language pertinent to serving the Parkdale-Swansea community.
- Familiarity with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
- Experience or knowledge in other clinic areas of law (i.e., immigration, housing, and employment) as the position may evolve depending on the need of PCLS.
- Experience with or knowledge of Provincial and municipal powers that target or disproportionately affect low-income or marginalized people.
Compensation
Salary range: annual salary of $80,000-$93,000 plus RRSP and health benefits package. Salary will be determined based on year of call, qualifications, and experience.
Application
Please send your application by email, with “Income Security Lawyer Application” in the subject line, to John No at noj@lao.on.ca.
Please apply with a CV and cover letter by 5:00 PM on Wednesday January 19, 2022. We regret that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
As an employer, PCLS is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation and gender identity. We encourage applications from individuals from diverse, marginalized and racialized communities and backgrounds. PCLS promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Please advise if you have any accommodation needs regarding the submission of your application.