The Organization

Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) is a not-for-profit, publicly funded organization committed to resolving legal problems for disadvantaged Albertans through negotiation, advocacy, and trials in Alberta’s courts. In doing so, LAA upholds and protects the Rule of Law, which safeguards all individuals from abuses of power or persecution, ensuring equal footing in a democratic society.

LAA provides legal services in critical areas such as family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. Operating across nine locations—including Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Siksika Nation, and Wetaskiwin—LAA delivers high-quality legal representation and support to those facing legal challenges.

LAA’s mandate is to ensure that all individuals, especially the vulnerable, have equitable access to justice through legal representation. The organization plays a key role in fostering a justice system that serves all Albertans, ensuring that even those unable to afford legal counsel can secure representation in the face of legal challenges.

For more information about Legal Aid Alberta, please visit their website.

Mandate

Board Directors at Legal Aid Alberta provide strategic governance and oversight to the organization, ensuring that its mission is carried out effectively. Board Directors are responsible for providing guidance and support to the executive team, overseeing the organization’s operations, and making high-level decisions on key matters related to financial stewardship, organizational strategy, and stakeholder engagement.

Board members will ensure that LAA maintains a robust governance framework that upholds transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct, while fostering an environment where LAA’s goals of accessibility and equity in the justice system are achieved. Directors will actively contribute to decision-making processes and help the organization navigate challenges, ensuring it has the resources and strategic direction to fulfill its mandate.

The Board operates as a unified body, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven environment. Meetings are conducted efficiently, with a focus on strategic discussions that drive impactful decision-making.

Time Commitment

The standard term length for a Director is three years, and there is a limit of three terms (maximum time of Board service is nine years).

Board and Committee meetings are held quarterly. Most meetings are held virtually, as Directors are located across the province of Alberta. Strategy and orientation meetings are held in person and occur annually. On average, the quarterly time commitment for this Board (including meetings and preparation time) is 20 hours.

Directors are expected to sit on one or two of the three standing committees. The committees are Finance and Audit, Governance, and HR & Compensation.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Oversight & Governance

• Provide governance, oversight, and strategic guidance to the executive team, ensuring alignment with LAA’s mission and vision.
• Ensure the organization’s goals and activities are in compliance with its legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations.

Financial Stewardship & Risk Management

• Oversee the financial sustainability of LAA, ensuring effective use of public funds to meet its mission.
• Monitor risks and ensure that appropriate frameworks are in place for managing potential legal, financial, or reputational risks.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

• Serve as ambassadors for LAA, building and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, legal professionals, and the public.
• Support advocacy efforts aimed at securing continued funding for legal services for vulnerable populations and advancing justice system reforms.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

• Uphold LAA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of governance and service delivery.
• Ensure LAA’s programs are accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of Alberta’s communities.

Candidate Profile

For the 2025 recruitment cycle, Legal Aid Alberta is seeking one lawyer, one designated accountant, and one public member to join the Board. Additionally, LAA is committed to enhancing Indigenous and rural representation. All Directors must have their primary residence in Alberta. The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• A post-secondary education in a relevant field. A graduate degree or ICD.D designation is welcomed.

Experience:

• Significant leadership experience, ideally in governance, the legal profession, public service, or non-profit organizations.
• Proven experience in managing or overseeing complex organizations, including strategic, financial, and operational oversight.
• Knowledge of the justice system, public funding models, or legal aid services is highly desirable.
• Experience working with diverse communities and understanding the challenges faced by vulnerable populations is an asset.

Desired Attributes:

• Leadership & Strategic Vision: Ability to shape and provide guidance on the organization’s strategic direction.
• Governance Expertise : Proven track record in board governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and compliance.
• Effective Communication: Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Relationship-Building: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships with government, legal, and community stakeholders.
• Financial Acumen : Understanding of financial oversight, budgeting, and resource allocation in non-profit or publicly funded environments.
• Ethical Judgment: High ethical standards, with the ability to act in the best interests of LAA and its mission.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Legal Aid Alberta is deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. LAA recognizes that an effective board requires that the directors have the integrity, experience, skill, time and commitment identified by the board as necessary to effectively carry out their duties. A board made up of highly qualified directors from diverse backgrounds benefits from the contribution of different perspectives and experiences to board discussions and decisions, promoting better corporate governance. All qualified applicants are invited to apply.

Application Instructions

If this opportunity excites you, please send a resume and cover letter to connect@mullenleadership.com with the position title and organization name in the subject line on or before August 25th, 2025.