Legal Aid Worker - Family

This is an in-person position that is responsible for providing direct client service in the Kitchener Family Duty Counsel Office.

The responsibilities of this position will be to support the Kitchener family duty counsel office. Some of the duties will include: initial assessment and intake of family law clients, checking conflicts, assigning files to duty counsel and scheduling appointments, creating and managing files, liaising with court stakeholders, responding to client inquiries, referring clients to appropriate services and resources, providing LAO status checks such as certificate status, general administrative support, family document preparation, as well as all other duties as assigned.

Other responsibilities would include assisting in Rule 39 court and assisting clients over Zoom remote court.

Primary Location: Kitchener Family Duty Counsel Office, Waterloo Region Courthouse
Secondary Location: Not applicable

Reporting to: Manager of Legal Services

• Carry out initial intake of clients, including administering the financial and legal eligibility tests;
• Assess or triage client needs in order to refer clients to the appropriate resource(s) and/or service(s);
• Assist clients and lawyers on the phone and/or in-person by providing general information, including the status of applications, appeals or referrals;
• Check for conflicts, assign files to duty counsel and schedule document preparation appointments in family law matters;
• Assist in scheduling duty counsel and approving duty counsel accounts;
• Assist with the drafting and preparation of court documents under staff lawyer supervision;
• Assist in R.39 remote court;
• Enter data and update files in Legal Files;
• Input client data in PeopleSoft;
• Liaise with private bar lawyers and other appropriate court stakeholders;
• Ensure printed materials, documents and office supplies are replenished and maintained at the office;
• Perform other duties as required.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and interview skills;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in interacting with clients, lawyers and other agencies, especially in stressful situations;
• Ability to effectively identify the needs of the clients, in order to refer them to the appropriate services;
• Sound knowledge of LAO guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures;
• Good understanding of family court processes, rules and practice;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation would be an asset, such as the Family Law Act, Children's' Law Reform Act; Child, Youth and Family Services Act;
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft programs (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Experience in the use of Legal Files and PeopleSoft programs.

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.

This position is collectively represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 525 and, therefore, union dues will be deducted bi-weekly.


Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

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