We are Legal Aid Alberta. We believe in an Alberta where everyone is able to understand and protect their legal rights.As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, we provide affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide: Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Siksika Nation, and Wetaskiwin. We work together to serve Albertans, protecting their rights and ensuring a fair legal process.
Who You Are
As a Lawyer with our Criminal Trial Group at Legal Aid Alberta, you will help drive the future of our organization. You play an important role in joining a talented and diverse Legal Aid Alberta team province wide. Here you will find exceptional people who share our values and passion, supporting LAA’s mission to help Alberta’s most disadvantaged.
In addition, you will be part of a pilot project which will commence in certain locations across Alberta to provide LAA’s Indigenous clients withcontinuity in legal services support from the moment that they are charged. LAA’s Indigenous strategy is focused on providing holistic support to Indigenous clients from the beginning, including a Staff Lawyer experienced in Indigenous issues that can, if required, take the matter to trial as part of the Criminal Trial Group.
As part of LAA’s Indigenous strategy, this Lawyer will work closely with Duty Counsel support in specific court jurisdictions and communities to support individuals charged in that community.
Job Description
Reporting to the Legal Services Manager, key responsibilities of the Criminal Trial GroupLawyer position are:
Provide holistic legal services support toclients
Litigate at various court levels, including appeals (travel expected).
Conduct of assigned files to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and policies and procedures of LAA.
Complete and accurate statistical, time entry and record keeping.
Compliance with office policy and procedures.
Participate in performance and staff meetings as required.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
Law Degree from a recognized law school.
Active member in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta.
Minimum 5 years’ experience in criminal law practice focused on trial work
Previous criminal law practice – particular focus on Indigenous experience and issues within the criminal justice system including familiarity with Gladue Reports and Indigenous support
Knowledge and Skills
Rules of Court, and court proceedings.
Alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and negotiation skills.
Excellent understanding of court and tribunal processes.
Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Criminal Code and sentencing.
Excellent understanding of police and arrest procedures.
Legal research, writing and drafting, legal analysis, preparation of court documents, and application of law to relevant facts.
Advocacy, problem solving and conflict resolution.
A high level of comfort working with technology and a keen enthusiasm for learning new systems including, computer literacy in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CRM), web-based legal research tools, and other web-based resources.
Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
Ability to manage work in high pressure and high conflict situations.
Ability to investigate facts, identify issues, ascertain organizational objectives, consider alternative solutions, analyze risk and advise clients and/or LAA on the appropriate course of action.
Ability to build rapport and negotiate effectively with Crown Counsel and opposing counsel.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to work with clients who have complex needs either through frequent requests for alternate representation, physical or mental disability, substance abuse, or living situations that impair their ability to resolve legal matters.
What We Offer
Perks of working with us
Competitive wage
RRSP employer contribution
Health and dental benefits
Health and wellness accounts
Employee assistance program
Team environment
How To Apply
If you got excited at the prospect of being a part of our team when you reviewed this posting and you meet the minimum qualifications, please select “Apply Now for Edmonton” or “Apply Now for Calgary“ to create your candidate profile. This competition will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Requirements
Successful candidate will be required to provide an acceptable criminal record check.
