Duty Counsel - Family
About the role
Union: The Society
Job Number: J0225-0729
Job Title: Duty Counsel - Family (18 months)
Job Type: Contract
Contract Duration (months): 18 months
City, Province, Country: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Job Location: Oshawa
Job Category: Legal
Role Designation:
LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.
Posting Date: August 14, 2025
Closing Date: August 28, 2025
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
To act as Family Duty Counsel and deliver services in Oshawa (Durham Region) in the Central East District. This role may require providing assistance to other court locations within the Central East District.
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 proceedings, up to and including trials; and other duties as assigned.
Home Location: Oshawa Courthouse
Secondary Location(s): n/a
Reporting to: Manager, Legal Services
Key accountabilities
- Provide summary legal advice to clients on family law and child protection matters and procedures, both virtually and in-person, including advice lawyer services at the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)
- Provide family law duty counsel services, including providing instructions to Legal Aid Workers and
students in reviewing and drafting of court documents
- Provide representation in the Superior Court of Justice (Unified Family Court) for both family law and child protection matters, at various stages of a proceeding, up to and including trials
- Represent clients in family and child protection matters through the LAO certificate program
- Advocate for clients in court, and assist in the review and drafting of court documents and forms
- Refer clients to appropriate resources, i.e. mediation, the certificate program, domestic violence organizations and mental health agencies, as required
- Assist eligible self-represented clients with LAO family settlement conferences, as required
- Act as a liaison between Legal Aid Ontario, the judiciary, court services staff and the private bar
- Provide high quality legal services in a cost effective manner
- Maintain client files and conflict lists
- Apply the financial eligibility tests in accordance with Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) policy
- Record data and produce reports as required and within established reporting times
- Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned, and remain adaptable and flexible in a changing environment
Required skills & experience
- Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
- Minimum of two years’ experience in family and child protection law, including sound knowledge and experience with relevant legislation
- Demonstrated experience in dealing with complex family law and child protection matters
- In-court experience in both family and child protection matters
- Experience in managing and having primary responsibility for family and CYFSA files
- Ability to work independently and to be able to multi-task in a fast paced environment
- Personal motivation and accountability
- Ability to independently draft legal documents
- Ability to work effectively in a team with other staff lawyers, per diem Duty Counsel and other stakeholders
- Demonstrated collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
- Sound judgment and problem solving skills
- Ability to accurately and effectively communicate with clients
- Demonstrated ability to provide sensitive and compassionate client service to victims of domestic abuse and vulnerable clients
- Results oriented and client focused
- Training or advocacy experience in relation to mental health and domestic abuse issues
- Awareness and knowledge of impact of criminal law or immigration proceedings on family law
- Sound knowledge of LAO’s operations and mandate
- Sound legal research skills
- Demonstrated ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, Divorcemate and Legal Files
- Ability to assist clients in French or other languages is an asset To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.
This position is represented by The Society of United Professionals and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi-weekly from date of hire.
First preference will be given to current members of The Society of United Professionals.
Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.
Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.
Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.
Are you interested in this job?
About Legal Aid Ontario
Our mandate
Legal Aid Ontario has a statutory mandate to promote access to justice throughout Ontario for low-income individuals by means of:
● Providing consistently high quality legal aid services in a cost-effective and efficient manner;
● Encouraging and facilitating flexibility and innovation in the provision of legal aid services;
● Identifying, assessing and recognizing the diverse legal needs of low-income individuals and of disadvantaged communities in Ontario; and
● Providing legal aid services to low-income individuals through a corporation that will operate independently from the Government of Ontario but within a framework of accountability to the Government of Ontario for the expenditure of public funds.
In fulfilling this mandate Legal Aid Ontario is committed to providing services which recognize the importance of diversity, access, equity, creativity and quality.
Our services
LAO services are carefully targeted to meet diverse client needs and make the most efficient use of our resources.
A wide range of services are available through LAO’s toll-free number, including summary legal advice for family and criminal law matters.
We provide duty counsel services - performed by staff and private-sector lawyers - for people who arrive in criminal, family or youth courts without a lawyer.
Poverty law services - such as helping people to obtain or maintain social assistance benefits - are delivered through a network of a number of independent, community-based legal aid clinics, funded by LAO.
LAO also runs a certificate program for the most serious and complex cases. Eligible low-income clients can obtain a certificate which is used to retain a private lawyer.
Duty Counsel - Family
About the role
Union: The Society
Job Number: J0225-0729
Job Title: Duty Counsel - Family (18 months)
Job Type: Contract
Contract Duration (months): 18 months
City, Province, Country: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Job Location: Oshawa
Job Category: Legal
Role Designation:
LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.
Posting Date: August 14, 2025
Closing Date: August 28, 2025
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
To act as Family Duty Counsel and deliver services in Oshawa (Durham Region) in the Central East District. This role may require providing assistance to other court locations within the Central East District.
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 proceedings, up to and including trials; and other duties as assigned.
Home Location: Oshawa Courthouse
Secondary Location(s): n/a
Reporting to: Manager, Legal Services
Key accountabilities
- Provide summary legal advice to clients on family law and child protection matters and procedures, both virtually and in-person, including advice lawyer services at the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)
- Provide family law duty counsel services, including providing instructions to Legal Aid Workers and
students in reviewing and drafting of court documents
- Provide representation in the Superior Court of Justice (Unified Family Court) for both family law and child protection matters, at various stages of a proceeding, up to and including trials
- Represent clients in family and child protection matters through the LAO certificate program
- Advocate for clients in court, and assist in the review and drafting of court documents and forms
- Refer clients to appropriate resources, i.e. mediation, the certificate program, domestic violence organizations and mental health agencies, as required
- Assist eligible self-represented clients with LAO family settlement conferences, as required
- Act as a liaison between Legal Aid Ontario, the judiciary, court services staff and the private bar
- Provide high quality legal services in a cost effective manner
- Maintain client files and conflict lists
- Apply the financial eligibility tests in accordance with Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) policy
- Record data and produce reports as required and within established reporting times
- Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned, and remain adaptable and flexible in a changing environment
Required skills & experience
- Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
- Minimum of two years’ experience in family and child protection law, including sound knowledge and experience with relevant legislation
- Demonstrated experience in dealing with complex family law and child protection matters
- In-court experience in both family and child protection matters
- Experience in managing and having primary responsibility for family and CYFSA files
- Ability to work independently and to be able to multi-task in a fast paced environment
- Personal motivation and accountability
- Ability to independently draft legal documents
- Ability to work effectively in a team with other staff lawyers, per diem Duty Counsel and other stakeholders
- Demonstrated collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
- Sound judgment and problem solving skills
- Ability to accurately and effectively communicate with clients
- Demonstrated ability to provide sensitive and compassionate client service to victims of domestic abuse and vulnerable clients
- Results oriented and client focused
- Training or advocacy experience in relation to mental health and domestic abuse issues
- Awareness and knowledge of impact of criminal law or immigration proceedings on family law
- Sound knowledge of LAO’s operations and mandate
- Sound legal research skills
- Demonstrated ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, Divorcemate and Legal Files
- Ability to assist clients in French or other languages is an asset To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.
This position is represented by The Society of United Professionals and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi-weekly from date of hire.
First preference will be given to current members of The Society of United Professionals.
Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.
Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.
Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email support: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.
Are you interested in this job?
About Legal Aid Ontario
Our mandate
Legal Aid Ontario has a statutory mandate to promote access to justice throughout Ontario for low-income individuals by means of:
● Providing consistently high quality legal aid services in a cost-effective and efficient manner;
● Encouraging and facilitating flexibility and innovation in the provision of legal aid services;
● Identifying, assessing and recognizing the diverse legal needs of low-income individuals and of disadvantaged communities in Ontario; and
● Providing legal aid services to low-income individuals through a corporation that will operate independently from the Government of Ontario but within a framework of accountability to the Government of Ontario for the expenditure of public funds.
In fulfilling this mandate Legal Aid Ontario is committed to providing services which recognize the importance of diversity, access, equity, creativity and quality.
Our services
LAO services are carefully targeted to meet diverse client needs and make the most efficient use of our resources.
A wide range of services are available through LAO’s toll-free number, including summary legal advice for family and criminal law matters.
We provide duty counsel services - performed by staff and private-sector lawyers - for people who arrive in criminal, family or youth courts without a lawyer.
Poverty law services - such as helping people to obtain or maintain social assistance benefits - are delivered through a network of a number of independent, community-based legal aid clinics, funded by LAO.
LAO also runs a certificate program for the most serious and complex cases. Eligible low-income clients can obtain a certificate which is used to retain a private lawyer.