Duty Counsel - Family and Criminal (24 months)

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Union : The Society Job Number : J0525-0351 Job Title : Duty Counsel - Family and Criminal (24 months) Job Type : Contract Contract Duration (months) : 24 months City, Province, Country : Peterborough, Lindsay, and Cobourg, Ontario, Canada Job Location : Peterborough, Lindsay, and Cobourg Job Category : Legal Job Classification : SL Role Designation : LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace. Open Positions : 1 Posting Date : January 12, 2026 Closing Date : January 23, 2026 Salary : $90,186.96 - $154,117.41 / Year

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

Primary function

This Duty Counsel will be required to provide family and criminal duty counsel services Peterborough, Lindsay, and Cobourg. This role may require travel throughout the district on occasion. As such, applicants with readily available transportation or an ability to rent a vehicle are preferred.

Family Duty Counsel are responsible for providing client service for family law matters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person. Family Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment of family law clients to determine the appropriate service for the clients, including but not limited to providing procedural and summary legal advice; drafting, reviewing and commissioning of family court documents and pleadings such as Applications, Answers, Motions, Affidavits and Financial Statements; in court representation at various stages of a family court and / or child protection proceeding; and other duties as assigned.

Criminal Duty Counsel is responsible for providing client service for criminal law matters in the courthouse, both virtually and in person. Criminal Duty Counsel will be responsible for the intake and assessment of criminal law clients to determine the appropriate service for those charged with criminal offences, including but not limited to providing procedural and summary legal advice; drafting and reviewing criminal court documents; in court representation at various stages of criminal court proceedings; and other duties as assigned.

Home Position : Peterborough / Lindsay or Cobourg (Based on discussion with the successful candidate and their place of residence)

Secondary / Tertiary locations : Peterborough / Lindsay or Cobourg (the other two locations)

Reports to : Manager of Legal Services, Criminal & Family – Tri-County Region

Key accountabilities

• Act as Family and Criminal Duty Counsel
• Representing clients both in-person and remotely
• Ensure high quality of legal work in a cost effective manner
• File management as per LAO requirements including use of computer technology; data input for statistics measurements in a timely manner

Family :

Criminal :

Required skills & experience

Family

Intermediate :

Intermediate :

Criminal

Intermediate Level Statement

Intermediate Level Statement

Intermediate