STAFF LAWYER, LEGAL CLINIC PROGRAMS
About Toronto Metropolitan University
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.
TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada. If you identify as being part of a historically disadvantaged or marginalized group and you would like the hiring committee to be aware of this, we encourage you to identify as such in your resume and/or cover letter.
In April 2022, the university announced our new name of Toronto Metropolitan University, which will be implemented in a phased approach. Learn more about our next chapter.
The team
The Lincoln Alexander School of Law is a different kind of law school designed to create a different kind of lawyer - one who is equipped with the contemporary skills and legal experience required to respond to the evolving challenges in our society. We seek to become a model for legal education that drives the legal profession to become more equitable, accessible, and technologically advanced.
The opportunity
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and equity-oriented lawyer to join the Lincoln Alexander School of Law as the third Staff Lawyer, Legal Clinic Programs. The ideal candidate will have either some familiarity with or openness to learning the skills necessary to work within a legal clinic culture that incorporates a healing justice lens, inclusive of movement and community lawyering, decolonial and anti-racist ways of thinking and working, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed lawyering, and abolitionist and transformative justice frameworks.
This is a unique and rare opportunity to be part of the early stages of building a student legal clinic program, as part of a team that is deeply committed to equity. Working alongside the other members of the Legal Clinic Programs team, the Staff Lawyer will play an essential role in shaping the culture, practices, and substantive legal focus of the law school’s student legal clinic, and in forming relationships with communities and partner organizations.
The Staff Lawyer will provide comprehensive and holistic supervision and mentoring to students in legal clinic / legal aid related areas of law (this could include, for example, some of housing, social assistance, criminal, prison, and immigration law, based on the areas of experience and expertise of the staff lawyer and the needs of the communities served by the legal clinic); will participate in the implementation, refinement, and expansion of the law school’s student legal clinic model; and will work collaboratively with local organizations on community development, law reform, and public legal education initiatives. The Staff Lawyer will infuse all aspects of their work with an equity-oriented, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed approach to student supervision, community and client interaction, and legal practice.
Key responsibilities include:
Supervision of Students on Advice, Representation, Community Facing Projects, Public Legal Education, and Law Reform Activities of Legal Clinic Programs:
Supervises students on the day-to-day activities of the student legal clinic, which may include provision of legal advice, case file representation, community facing projects, public legal education, and law reform activities.
Provides regular consultation and mentoring to students, ensuring accurate legal advice is given with a client-centered, holistic, and empathetic approach.
Legal Clinic Model Implementation:
Assists the Legal Clinic Programs team with the continued development of its student legal clinic model. This may include conducting research on legal clinic models and legal needs within relevant communities; assisting with development and refinement of legal clinic policies, procedures, and systems; developing student engagement, recruitment, and training strategies and processes; and assisting with the refinement and delivery of an academic legal clinic seminar.
Special Projects Management:
Undertakes short-term special projects or assignments as requested by the Director, Legal Clinic Programs, which may include conducting research and building community relationships and partnerships for prospective project collaborations; preparing and delivering public legal education for diverse equity-seeking communities; leading and/or participating in special events relating to Legal Clinic Programs or hosted by the law school; preparing content and communication materials relating to Legal Clinic Programs; and providing administrative and operational support as required.
Qualifications
To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), or equivalent law degree
Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
Minimum of 4 years of relevant legal experience after call to the bar, ideally with experience working in a legal clinic or a social justice related legal workplace
Knowledge of / working experience in areas of legal clinic law, with knowledge required in social assistance and housing law, and other areas of legal clinic law being an asset (for example, some of criminal, human rights, employment, and immigration/refugee law)
Understanding of legal and socioeconomic issues and barriers that equity-seeking communities in Toronto and Ontario face, and commitment to equitable outcomes and social justice in relation to same
High level of comfort with technology and ability to learn new technologies
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong organizational and time management skills
Strong supervisory and leadership skills
High level of attention to detail and strong analytical skills
Ability to work effectively with students and to interact with students from diverse backgrounds and circumstances in a sensitive and equity-oriented manner
Ability to build relationships of trust with external and internal partners and stakeholders
Ability to work in a team towards broader common goals and to support colleagues and students in their work and goals
Additional details
Position number 20005112
Reports to Director, Legal Clinic Programs
Department Legal Clinic Programs, Lincoln Alexander School of Law
Work Location Hybrid - average of 3-4 days on campus
Vacancy Type Term 24 months
Employee Group MAC
Start Date ASAP
End Date 24 months after start date
Hours of Work 36.25
Grade C51
Salary Scale $76,622 - $122,396, effective July 1, 2024
Hiring salary range Up to $105,000
Application close date June 21, 2024
Additional Notes:
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.
Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
The Perks
There is something for everyone! Employees are eligible for many benefits, services, and discounts that Toronto Metropolitan University has to offer:
Mid-year break that provides two weeks of paid time off in addition to your vacation.
Group benefits include health and dental, employee and family assistance programs (EFAP), and more.
Tuition waiver for eligible employees and their spouse and/or dependent(s) and Tuition Rebate for eligible employees.
Toronto Metropolitan University Retirement Planning: A defined benefit pension plan.
