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Union : The Society Job Number : J0126-0157 Job Title : French Bilingual Duty Counsel - Family and Criminal Job Type : Permanent Full Time City, Province, Country : Timmins, Ontario, Canada Job Location : Timmins 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 16, 2026 Closing Date : January 30, 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 in the Cochrane and Temiskaming Districts. This role requires travel throughout the Cochrane District (Cochrane and Kapuskasing) and the Temiskaming District (Kirkland Lake and Haileybury). As such, applicants with readily available transportation or an ability to rent a vehicle are preferred.
Family Duty Counsel is 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. 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.
Primary Location : Timmins
Secondary / Tertiary Location(s) : Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Kirkland Lake, Haileybury
Manager of Legal Services, North District
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 :
Advocate for clients in court and on court formsProvide family law duty counsel services, including providing instructions to Legal Aid Workers (and students), preparation of court documents for eligible clients, make appropriate referrals when required, including to mediation servicesProviding representation in the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ), Superior Court of Justice(SCJ) at first appearances, conferences, motions, negotiations, Family Responsibility Office(FRO) matters, Children’s Aid Societies matters and other court hearings and services as requiredAssist unrepresented eligible clients with LAO family settlement conferences as requiredAssist unrepresented clients with Child Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) matters(with document preparation and in court appearances)Ability to provide advice lawyer services at the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)Demonstrated ability to provide sensitive and compassionate client service to those who may be victims of domestic violenceProvide advice lawyer services on the Summary Legal Advice (SLA) telephone service for familyMaintain client files and conflict listsOther duties as assignedCriminal :
Assisting unrepresented clients who have been charged with criminal mattersRepresenting clients at bail hearings, guilty pleas and remands both in-person and remotelyAssessing clients’ needs, including the early identification of vulnerable clients, to facilitate referrals to appropriate services.Provide criminal law services as defense counsel in the Ontario Court of JusticeProviding assistance and representation at federal, provincial, and youth, remand, bail and plea courts, including specialty courts (Drug Treatment Court / Mental Health Court / GladueCourt)Providing summary legal advice (SLA)Interviewing clients, sureties, and witnessesDisclosure review and Crown pre-trials meetingsAssisting with various motions and hearings (may include trials), including judicial pre-trialsPreparing and arguing bail hearingsOther duties as assignedRequired skills & experience
Member in good standing with the Law Society of OntarioThe successful candidate must be comfortable performing all duties listed independently in both French and English, with accuracy and fluency.Family :
Knowledge of relevant family law legislation and in particular child protection law and exposure to the practice of family lawAbility to work independently with minimal supervisionAbility to draft legal documents effectively with little to no errorsCriminal :
Legal knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to represent clients with sensitive legal issues including conducing bails hearings, and guilty pleas.Demonstrated commitment to social justice or public interest workSound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and case lawDemonstrated experience in providing criminal law services including experience with complex legal issues and bails hearings, guilty pleas, remands and youth court.Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence and case lawPractical understanding of the Rules of Professional ConductProven interpersonal, communication, presentation and negotiation skills coupled with strong advocacy skillsProven judgment and analytical ability to determine appropriate legal remedies and demonstrated research skillsKnowledge and appreciation of impact of court proceedings on immigration, criminal, family and other poverty law issues; and the integrated nature of legal issues faced by LAO clientsAwareness of the challenges faced when serving vulnerable populations such as racialized communities, First Nations, youth and those experiencing mental health or addiction challenges or victims of domestic violence and / or homelessnessAbility to communicate with accuracy and fluency when speaking with clients and providing advice, as well as when representing clients in court.Ability to work independently and unsupervised in a busy environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholdersAbility to work as a team with other Legal Aid Workers, staff lawyers, and per diem Duty CounselSound knowledge and understanding of Legal Aid Ontario’s operations and mandateDemonstrated ability to use latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually (Zoom / Teams)Knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.Experience with Divorcemate and Legal FilesAbility and willingness to travel between the district court locationsPreferred Skills & Experiences :
Sound Knowledge of Legal Aid Ontario’s operations and mandatePrior family and CYFSA law experienceDemonstrated interest in aboriginal legal issuesTraining or advocacy experience in relation to mental health issuesWhat 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.
We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that include dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, and Short-Term Disability (STD).
Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid time-off policy, including vacation days, sick days, discretionary days, and statutory holidays.
Employees are eligible to be enrolled to the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), administered by the Ontario Pension Board (OPB).
How to apply :