2025/26 Articling Student - Criminal & Family
Union: The Society
Job Number: J0524-0227
Job Title: 2025/26 Articling Student - Criminal & Family
Job Type: Articling Student
Contract Duration (months): 10 months
Job Location: Windsor
Job Category: Legal
Job Classification: AS
Role Designation: LAO Workplace Based - Role is physically based in an in-person LAO workplace.
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
Are you going to law school so you can work within the fields of social justice or public interest and make a real difference in the lives of those who are the most vulnerable? If so, Legal Aid Ontario (“LAO”) wants to give you that opportunity. Start your career with an articling position with LAO, and see how rewarding a career in public service can be.
LAO invests in and fosters the long-term development of its lawyers – a process that starts with the summering and articling experience. Students are provided with the opportunity to experience different areas of law, giving you a comprehensive articling experience in social justice.
Home location: Windsor Courthouse - Duty Counsel
Secondary/tertiary locations: Leamington Satellite Courthouse
Compensation: $72,149.57 per annum prorated for 10 months plus benefits.
Area of Search: Students eligible to article in 2025-26
Assignment: 10 month contract, start date will be summer 2025
Reporting to: Manager, Legal Services
Key accountabilities
Examples of the type of work that our students are exposed to include the following:
1. Duty counsel services in criminal court: interview accused, contact and verify sureties, conduct surety interviews, act as intermediary between duty counsel and private counsel or Crowns, facilitate interviews for duty counsel, conduct guilty plea interviews, and assist with set-date court, create and update Service Integration Worksheets.
2. Duty counsel services in family court: help unrepresented clients draft applications, affidavits and motions, prepare lists of cases, summaries of cases and case books that could be accessed by duty counsel, observe courtroom presentations and assist with client meetings, assist with first appearance courts, simple adjournments, uncontested hearings, client intake.
Required skills & experience
* Eligible to undertake articles in Ontario
* Demonstrated commitment to social justice or public interest work.
* Demonstrated excellent writing and oral communication skills.
* Strong interpersonal skills and sound judgment.
* Solid understanding of the mission of Legal Aid Ontario.
* Understanding of LAO’s client communities and excellent client service to vulnerable populations.
* Intermediate knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and video platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
* Fluency in both English and French is an asset.
* Access to vehicle and travel to secondary and tertiary locations.
How to apply
- Apply through http://www.legalaid.on.ca/en/careers (only applications submitted through LAO’s online application tool will be accepted).
- To apply submit: A cover letter, résumé, law school transcripts (web-based unofficial transcripts or grades listings are acceptable), and 2-3 work, school, or volunteer related reference letters.
- Candidates must apply by January 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
- Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email/phone.
If you are interested in more than one location, you need to apply to each location/posting and only apply to the positions you are willing to accept.
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.
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.
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), an independent but publicly funded and publicly accountable non-profit corporation. None of this material may be commercially reproduced, but copying for other purposes, with credit, is encouraged.
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