LAA-26-30- Duty Counsel Lawyer- Calgary

Legal Aid Alberta•Calgary, AB

11d•CA$93,000 - CA$160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Legal Aid Alberta is seeking to fill a Full Time Permanent Duty Counsel Lawyer position which services the Calgary Court Centre, Calgary Regional Courts and the Indigenous Court and provincial tribunals in our Calgary office. This position will appeal to an individual that likes to take initiative, is client focused and is exceptionally strong in delivering high-quality results. As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, Legal Aid Alberta provides affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide, with 300 staff and 1,200 private practice lawyers helping people overcome their legal challenges in more than 75 communities across the province. Working at Legal Aid Alberta means you care about people and empathize with their situation. You have excellent communication skills especially in tough situations. You’re computer-savvy and more organized than anyone you know. Fast-paced work environments give you a rush and you’re always up for a challenge. You love learning new things, solving problems, and can adapt to change quickly. You care deeply about the success of our team and our organization.

Requirements

Law degree from a recognized law school.
Active member in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta or eligible for immediate membership.
5 years’ experience in criminal and administrative law practice.
Knowledge of Rules of Court and court proceedings.
Thorough understanding of: Criminal Code, including bail and sentencing provisions; Youth Criminal Justice Act; Protection Against Family Violence Act; Mental Health Act.
Ability to build rapport and negotiate effectively with Crown Counsel.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively, especially with members of vulnerable populations.
Advocacy, problem solving, communication, negotiation skills and conflict resolution.
A high level of comfort working with technology and a keen enthusiasm for learning new systems including, computer literacy in MS Office (Outlook, Word, SharePoint), Remote Courtroom Scheduling (RCS), web-based legal research tools, and other web-based resources.
Ability to work with clients who have complex needs including physical or mental disability; substance abuse; or living situations that impede their ability to resolve legal matters.
Possess a valid driver’s license and be able to drive to circuit court locations.
Acceptable criminal record check and social media screening.

Responsibilities

Provide Duty Counsel representation in adult and youth criminal courts to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the policies and procedures of LAA.
Deliver timely legal advice, advocacy and resolution services to unrepresented clients.
Appear regularly before administrative tribunals, including the Mental Health Review Panel, and advocate for clients within Alberta’s mental health system.
Conduct client interviews, legal triage, and resolution discussions, ensuring often vulnerable clients are aware of all their options.
Collaborate with Crown, court staff, the judiciary, tribunal members, health professionals, and community service providers.
Maintain accurate file management, reporting and documentation in accordance with professional and organizational standards.
Participate, and collaborate with a team of colleagues to further the vision of Legal Aid.