2027/28 Articling Student - Senior Counsel, Family (Oshawa)

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Union: The Society Job Number: J0426-0659 Job Title: 2027/28 Articling Student - Senior Counsel, Family (Oshawa) Job Type: Articling Student Contract Duration (months): 10 City, Province, Country: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Job Location: Oshawa Job Category: Legal Job Level: AS Open Positions: 1 Posting Date: April 29, 2026 Closing Date: May 13, 2026 Salary: $78,265.25 - $78,265.25 /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

Are you interested in working in the fields of social justice or public interest and making a real difference in the lives of those who are the most vulnerable? If so, Legal Aid Ontario (“LAO”) wants to give you that opportunity. Start your career with an articling position with LAO, and see how rewarding a career in public service can be.

LAO invests in and fosters the long-term development of its lawyers – a process that starts with the summering and articling experience. Students are provided with the opportunity to experience different areas of law, giving you a comprehensive articling experience in social justice.

Home location: Oshawa Courthouse (150 Bond Street E.)
Secondary/tertiary locations: Coburg (Northumberland County), Peterborough, and Lindsay Courthouses

Compensation: $78,265.25 per annum prorated for 10 months plus benefits.
Area of Search: Students eligible to article in 2027-28
Assignment: 10-month contract, start date will be in July 2027

Reporting to: Manager, Senior Counsel Program

Client services are delivered both remotely and in-person based on client-drive needs and court attendance. The successful candidate(s) must be able to commute to the office(s) listed above.

Key accountabilities

Family Senior Counsel Program:

The Family Senior Counsel Program provides certificate based legal services aimed to improve access to justice for some of our most vulnerable family law and child protection clients, including those who are experiencing intimate partner violence, mental health challenges and members of equity seeking groups.

Our lawyers accept legal aid certificates and provide full representation to clients, from first appearance court, up to and including trial representation. In addition to direct client advocacy, the Family Senior Counsel Program also plays a key role in mentorship and legal education, providing training opportunities for staff lawyers, students and private counsel to cultivate professional judgment and skill.

As an articling student, you will be involved in matters that may include:

• Assisting with complex family law and child protection matters, including motions, case conferences, and trials.
• Supporting vulnerable clients through trauma-informed and culturally responsive advocacy.
• Drafting legal documents and conducting legal research in family law matters.

Required skills & experience

• Eligible to undertake articles in Ontario
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice or public interest work
• Demonstrated excellent writing and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgement
• Awareness of LAO’s statutory mandate to provide high quality client service to vulnerable populations such as racialized communities, Indigenous communities, youth, and those experiencing mental health or addiction challenges and/or homelessness
• Awareness of access to justice issues facing LAO’s clients
• Fluency in both English and French is an asset.
• Access to vehicle and/or travel to secondary and tertiary

What do we offer?

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal well-being.

Your health and wellness
Our health and wellness program includes:
• Dental and health benefits
• Basic Life Insurance and Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• An employee assistance program (EAP) that offers professional, confidential counselling services to employees and members of their immediate families. The EAP operates programs that address common life issues such as childcare, smoking, financial difficulty, and more.

Onboarding & training
• We offer a 5-day training led by experienced lawyers who are deeply passionate about social justice for all articling students across Ontario in the provincial office in your first week. The training program typically includes:
o Criminal law and family law training emphasizing interactive, experiential learning, including case studies, role-playing, and soft skill development.
o A courthouse visit allowed articling students to shadow our lawyers and observe them in action.
o Virtual court sessions offered a chance to watch how virtual court operates, followed by guided walkthroughs of the process with our instructors.

Licensing fees
• LAO pays 100% of the Law Society licensing fees including: application fee, barrister licensing examination, solicitor licensing examination, articling program/LPP/IPC fee, call to the bar fee.

Vacation
• Ten days of paid time off during the articling period in accordance with the LSO requirement
• All statutory holidays, and a day of observance for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day and Easter Monday

Your career
LAO supports your career development by offering professional development and networking through several programs, including training to support a positive culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB), and lunch and learns to build client service skills.
• Informal Employee Networks for staff with shared identities to connect, support each other and build professional networks
• Law Society of Ontario (LSO) accredited training to support learning and professional development for all employees
• EDIB-focused training

Your future
Employees are eligible to enroll in the defined benefit Public Service Pension Plan which provides financial security during retirement.

How to apply:

• Apply through (only applications submitted through LAO’s online application tool will be accepted).
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