Bilingual Refugee Lawyer (24 months)

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

This position will provide legal representation and advice to immigrants, migrants and refugees, in and around Ottawa and the Eastern District, before all Divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board, in applications to IRCC and CBSA, as well as in matters before the Federal Courts. This person should have significant experience working with vulnerable individuals and demonstrate empathy towards persons with precarious immigration status and a commitment to migrant justice.

The ideal candidate is able to work co-operatively with other staff in a high pressure but supportive team based environment. The individual should demonstrate empathy towards, and a commitment to, immigrants and refugees, and be able to assume a varied and complex immigration caseload.

Home Location: Integrated Legal Services Office (ILSO) , Ottawa
Secondary/Tertiary locations can include: Cornwall, Kingston, Brockville, Pembroke, Federal Court, federal and provincial jails and/or an Immigration Holding Centre

Reports to: Manager of the Integrated Legal Services Office (ILSO)

Key accountabilities

• Representing clients in matters before all divisions of the Immigration and
Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
• Representing clients in Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRAs), humanitarian and compassionate (H&Cs) and deferrals and in other applications to Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) and/or the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• Representing clients before the Federal Court including in complex test case litigation and motions seeking stays of removal
• Representing clients in immigration detention, including in detention reviews and in Federal Court and Superior Court matters stemming from issues related to immigration detention
• Presenting information about the Refugee Law Office and refugee law to legal and refugee communities
• Provide brief services and general summary legal advice to duty counsel clients.
• Participating in legal education initiatives
• Performing other duties as assigned

Required skills & experience

• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Multiple years of experience providing legal representation in complex refugee and immigration law, including in appellate level matters
• Demonstrated fluency in oral and written language skills in both English and French is required.
• Demonstrated commitment to assisting vulnerable persons with precarious immigration status and related experiences of marginalization, including those with mental health and addiction challenges, and involvement with Canada’s criminal justice system
• Sensitivity and understanding towards those with mental health and addictions challenges
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised in a fast-paced environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
• Ability and willingness to travel within the Eastern district, as needed

Preferred skills & experience
• Training and mentorship experience in a legal setting is an asset
• Lived experience as an immigrant and/or within immigrant and refugee communities is an asset
• Fluency in languages other than English and French (such as Arabic, Spanish, Tamil, Punjabi, and Dari/Farsi, Spanish, etc.) will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of word processing and videoconferencing technologies, including MS
Teams, Word, and Adobe PDF 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. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified by email.

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.

First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position. Already have an Njoyn account? Just sign in and select "my jobs" to apply.
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.