Legal Aid Alberta is a Centre of Excellence that helps vulnerable Albertans across the province at some of the most difficult times in their lives. Through professional, effective, and accessible services that support better outcomes for our clients, we make a difference in the lives of Albertans and deliver value that extends beyond those who receive our services.
Job Description
Reporting to the Managing Director, Legal Services South, some of the key responsibilities of the LEGAL SERVICES MANAGER are to:
Management and Leadership
Provide mentorship, coaching, information sessions and provide legal practice advice to staff lawyers with the respective area of legal expertise.
Support Justice Services, Legal Services Leaders with strategic planning, staff development, and day-to-day management activities with an organizational approach to problem solving.
Attendance and performance management for direct reports in consultation with other Legal Service Managers, Office Manager and Human Resources (HR).
File Allocations and scheduling in consultation with Managing Directors as it relates to organizational lawyer case load requirements and file types.
Review file related potential conflicts, in consultation with team members and/or Managing Director
Be the first line of contact for complaints and issues in relation to:
Law Society of Alberta.
Alberta Lawyers Insurance Association.
Interoffice conflict and client complaints.
Process internal change of counsel requests from clients or direct reports.
Participate in Legal Service Manager and other office/leadership meetings and lead team meetings of direct reports.
Participate in recruitment activities in consultation with HR.
Provide accurate information when requested for Board and other reporting, strategic planning activities and operational planning activities.
Participate in various committees and in stakeholder meetings as applicable to enhance access to justice for our clients and to improve Alberta’s overall justice system.
Occasional travel as required.
Responsible for other duties and/or project work as assigned by the Managing Director.
Legal Representation
Conduct of assigned files to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the Rules of LAA.
Duty Counsel representation of assigned dockets or Duty Counsel out of court representation to professional standards and in accordance with the Rules and Code of Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta and the Rules of LAA.
Negotiate competent resolutions of files to achieve early, cost effective and lasting outcomes for clients.
Complete and accurate statistical record keeping.
Compliance with office policy and procedures.
Participate in performance and staff meetings as required.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Law degree and/or MBA from a recognized law or business school.
Active member of the Law Society of Alberta.
A minimum of seven years of litigation and court experience in the areas of the Protection Against Family Violence Act, family, and/or immigration law.
Previous coaching, mentorship, a team lead position, and/or a designated leadership position in the workplace is required.
Knowledge:
Excellent knowledge of Alberta Rules of Court and applicable legislation within the respective area of practice expertise.
Legal research, writing and drafting, legal analysis, preparation of facts and written briefs, application of the law to the relevant facts, negotiation, 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.
Skills:
Excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.
Excellent analytical, logic, problem-solving, and organization skills, as well as sound business judgement.
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.
Strong personal practice management skills.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.
Engaged in development and progression of the organization.
Ability to engage reports and manage reporting team.
Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to remain calm in crisis and high-pressure circumstances.
Ability to provide input, advice and leadership on organizational change.
Engages in active listening with reports.
Acts as a mentor to others through the organization or externally.
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 forward your resume to [email protected] referencing posting number LAA-21-01.
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
