26-41- Temporary - Legal Counsel - Legal 1

LEGAL SERVICES

Legal Counsel

Temporary - 12-month, Full-Time | Non-Union Opportunity

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Inclusivity

The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa is committed to removing systemic barriers and advancing equitable hiring practices. We take pride in a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and are firmly grounded in principles of anti-racism and anti-oppression.

Increasing representation is essential to delivering the best possible service to children, youth, and families. CASO is committed to fostering a healthy, inclusive, and respectful work environment—free from oppression—where the dignity, worth, and rights of every employee are recognized and upheld.

The Role

Reporting to the Manager, Legal Services, the Legal Counselprovides legal advice and representation to the Society and its staff on matters related to CASO’s child welfare mandate,and related legal matters.

Thisroleoffersauniqueopportunitytoworkattheintersectionoflaw,socialjustice,and child welfare, supporting frontline practice while advancing legally sound, equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families.

ThisroleofferstheuniqueopportunitytofocusonchildwelfarecasesinvolvingFirst Nations, Inuit & Métis families and, as such, to help contribute to CASO’s Reconciliation commitments.Further, this position has been created as part of CASO’s Shared Services program with other child protection agencies.In particular, 80% of the work done in this position will be for an Indigenous child well-being agency in Northern Ontario.As such, the position can be virtual from anywhere in the province, with the exceptions listed below.

LegalAdvice&Representation

• Providelegaladvicetoagencystaff and its Shared Services partners regardingtheinterpretationandapplicationof legislation related to child welfare, family law, and ancillary matters such as the protection of personal information.
• RepresenttheSocietyand its Shared Services partners inchildprotectioncourtproceedingsfromfirstappearance through contested motions, conferences, trials, appeals, and negotiated settlements.
• Representthe Society and its Shared Services partners inapplicationsforproductionofSocietyrecordsincriminalorcivil proceedings,inexpunctionhearingsundertheChildAbuseRegister,andhearings beforetheChildandFamilyServicesReviewBoard,aswellasthemattersbefore theInformation&PrivacyCommissionerofOntario

CasePreparation&Litigation

• PreparecasesforCourtbycoordinatingthecollectionofevidenceandinformation, drafting pleadings, affidavits, briefs, and other court documents.
• PrepareandsupportwitnessesforCourtproceedings.
• Negotiatesettlementsandpromotealternativedisputeresolutionwhere appropriate.

Training,Education&Collaboration

• Provide guidance to Societystaff and its Shared Services partners oncase management, evidence requirements, and courtprocedures.
• ParticipateinthedevelopmentanddeliveryoftrainingonlegalmattersforSociety staff, its Shared Services partners, foster parents, and community stakeholders.
• Prepareanddeliverpresentationsortrainingsessionsrelatedtochildwelfarelaw.

Documentation&Reporting

• Documentalllegaladviceandcaseactivitiesinaccordancewithestablished procedures.
• Ensuretimelyreportingandcommunicationwithinternalclients.

Travel

• The position is virtual and the employee can work from anywhere in the province, apart from the following:
• Travel to the jurisdiction of the child wellbeing agency in North Ontario when required for training, long Motions and trials (all expenses to be covered)
• Travel to Ottawa quarterly for internal meetings (expenses to be covered by the employee).

Education & Professional Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)/ Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a university of recognized standing.
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Thesuccessfulcandidatewilldemonstrate:
• Strong knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Actand itsregulations, the Federal Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit & Métis children, the Family Law Rules,andthelawofevidence.
• Solidexperienceinlitigation,includingcasepreparationandcourtroomadvocacy.
• Theabilitytoprovidesoundlegaladviceandrepresentationincomplexmatterswith minimalsupervision.
• Stronganalytical,problem-solving,andprioritizationskills.
• Ademonstratedabilitytoworkcollaborativelyaspartofamultidisciplinaryteam.
• Demonstrated knowledge and respect of First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture, heritageandthehistoricrelationshipbetweenchildwelfareandIndigenouspeoples and the intergenerational impact of colonization;
• Demonstratedknowledge,skillsandabilitiestoeffectivelyworkandengagewith Indigenous Peoples;
• Demonstratedunderstandingoftheculture,history,andongoingsystemic oppressions faced by Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
• Ademonstratedcommitmenttoapplyinganti-racist,anti-ableist,anti-Indigenousracism, and anti-2SLGBTQIA+ lensesto legal practice and social issues.

Assets

• Experience representing a Children’s Aid Society, children, or parents in child protection proceedings is considered an asset.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary range: $101,517 to $137,696, commensurate with skills and experience.
• As this is a one (1) year contract position, the employee will receive 25% additional compensation in lieu of benefits.

Accessibility & Accommodations

CASO is committed to an inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment and work environment. Accommodations will be provided to applicants throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.