STAFF LAWYER, FAMILY DUTY COUNSEL - LEGAL AID BC
Location: Abbotsford, BC
Status: Full-time Permanent
Salary Range: $70,931.93 (Yr 1) to $135,907.07 (Yr14) + 10% Staff Lawyer Benefit Plan
Deadline: Open Until Filled
VALUES STATEMENT:
Our commitment to the principles of fundamental justice embedded in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and to Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is ambitious and foundational. It informs everything we do, as we defend liberty, equality, autonomy, and dignity; as we dismantle colonization, racism, sexism, transphobia and homophobia, and all discrimination. These are our values, and they inform our hiring practices too. Our business is aiding people in severe legal distress and necessitates internal and external alignment of practicing these values. Integrating Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion throughout every aspect of Legal Aid BC is critical to building that culture, and we prioritize ongoing resources to achieve that goal.
We are seeking a Staff Lawyer, Family Duty Counsel, to join our team.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Manager, Family Law Advice Services, as a Staff Lawyer, Family Duty Counsel, your primary function is to:
Provide services for Abbotsford and other court locations
Works within the context of LABC policies and is responsible for providing legal advice and limited representation in the full range of family/child protection law practice, with some administrative legal support.
Works with a group of lawyers who provide direct client advice services, and will liaise with other local justice stakeholders.
Provides operational support to Family Law Services in developing legal services, programs and law reform.
Key accountabilities include, but are not limited to:
Provides family/child protection law services including summary legal advice and information to clients, limited representation, and duty counsel services in courts as assigned.
Conducts legal research and prepares required documents.
Develops solutions to family legal problems and provides services for clients in all types of family law matters.
Who We Are
Legal Aid BC (LABC) is a non-profit organization established by the Legal Services Society Act in 1979. Our mission is to provide legal information, advice, and representation services to BC’s most vulnerable and marginalized citizens who lack the necessary resources to effectively access the justice system when their families, freedom, or safety are at risk. Our vision is to see BC’s legal system transformed, by the way LABC represents our clients, into one more equitable and inclusive with a mission to strengthen client-centred legal help for British Columbians experiencing barriers accessing the legal system.
At LABC, we know that our continued ability to help the people who need us is due to the hardworking individuals who make up our team, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people in need. We foster a positive culture of open communication for our team to thrive within, underpinned by our values of client focus, advancing Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and change through leadership.
Legal Aid BC is in the early stages of, and committed to a transformative journey of embedding Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in all aspects of our work. We seek talent from equity- seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis descent, persons with diverse abilities, gender diverse, racialized, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, be a part of this exciting stage of Legal Aid BC’s growth. We care deeply about the culture we are building and are looking for staff members who not only excel in their respective areas but are also passionate about supporting the people we serve and each other. If this resonates with you, we encourage you to apply. All interested and eligible applicants will be considered with due consideration to all protected grounds under the BC Human Rights Code. If we can do anything to make your application experience a positive and equitable one, we want to hear from you on what we can do better.
To understand why legal aid matters, and our commitments to Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, please explore our website, planning and guiding documents at https://legalaid.bc.ca/.
The Ideal Candidates
You have:
A degree from a Law School of recognized standing and membership or eligibility for membership in the Law Society of British Columbia.
A preference for four (4) to eight (8) years of call to the bar in British Columbia, with significant practice experience in family and child protection law.
Experience supervising support staff.
Experience at Provincial and Supreme Court levels involving the full range of family and child protection law issues.
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
This position requires some local travel:
A valid BC driver’s license is required.
Must be willing and able to travel occasionally throughout Metro Vancouver.
We Offer
A competitive annual salary, as well as a comprehensive benefits package (based on your employment
status and affiliation including:
Four weeks paid vacation to start that grows the longer you are with LABC
An excellent employee benefits package, where premiums are 100% paid by LABC
A generous defined benefit pension plan
Support for training and development
An Employee and Family Assistance program
The opportunity to participate in various Employee programs (Employee Wellness, etc.)
Support for a healthy work/life balance
Generous leave provisions (sick time, special leaves)
13 paid statutory holidays
An opportunity for a flexible hybrid work arrangement for some positions (LABC reserves the right to change this policy at any time)
Transit friendly employer for eligible staff to have their commute subsidized
Dog-friendly offices
Dedicated Cultural Leave provisions for Indigenous employees
An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council, and Indigenous employees Council and Accessibility Committee of employees from equity-seeking groups that advises on ongoing improvements and investments in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at our workplace
For additional information regarding our extensive benefits package, please explore our careers page at: https://legalaid.bc.ca/about/careers/why-work-here.
If you are interested in joining us – visit our careers page for the full job posting at https://legalaid.bc.ca/careers and apply now!
We would like to thank all external applicants for their interest but regret that only those shortlisted will be contacted.
