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.
About the job
Primary function:
The Provincial Case Management Office (PCMO) is part of the Lawyer Services and Payments (LSP) department and is responsible for administering the Big Case Management (BCM) program which sets budgets for complex cases expected to cost in excess of $20,000.00, merit assessments for appeals. The Protocol Case Unit (PCU) is also part of PCMO, and is responsible for administering payments on behalf of the Ministry of the Attorney General/Department of Justice for state-funded counsel appointed by the court.
Reporting to the Director, LSP, the PCMO Lawyer Manager leads a team responsible for the day-to-day operation of the BCM program and the Protocol Case Unit (PCU) and assists the Director in the development of strategic initiatives for these programs.
Home location: Toronto - Provincial Office
Secondary location: N/A
Reporting to: Director, Lawyer Services and Payments
What you bring to the team
Key accountabilities
• Analyze and report on trends and developments within the criminal justice sector
• Develop and implement new departmental strategies, processes and initiatives in consultation with internal stakeholders
• Track, assess and report on key metrics to ensure the programs are effective, efficient and high quality
• Assessment of the efficacy of the organization's current strategies and initiatives
• Training, mentoring and managing the performance of eight direct reports, including case managers/ staff lawyers and the PCMO Operations Manager
• Assisting the Director and Business Manager in developing and monitoring the department budget
• Assessing and responding to complaints from clients and stakeholders
• Assessing and responding to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests
• Liaising with General Counsel Office and other departments including Investigations and Roster Management
• Supporting Directors General with roster management including identification of billing problems, correcting behavior and supporting the roster removal process
• Chairing the Exceptions Committee in addressing requests which exceed $75,000.00
• Chairing the External Advice Meetings in addressing merit assessments for appeals
• Managing active budgets, including the analysis of defense strategies in criminal law cases, negotiate, determine and/or recommend budgets for high-risk, high-cost criminal cases to LAO's Executive Management and oversee the approval process
• Delivering training and information regarding PCMO programs to roster members and other justice stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned
Required skills & experience
• Lawyer in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario with significant criminal law trial experience, including jury trials
• Sound knowledge and experience applying the Legal Aid Services Act 2020 and its regulations, the Legal Aid Service
Rules, the Tariff and Billing Handbook, Disbursements Handbook, BCM program policies and procedures, PCU policies and procedures and other related LAO policies and procedures, including the Delegation of Authority Policy
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated management and leadership skills to lead, motivate and mentor staff
• Excellent interpersonal skills for dealing with staff, clients, lawyers and external stakeholders with the proven ability to exercise sound judgement
• Superior demonstrated collaborative, analytic and strategic skills
• Able to manage uncertainty, to identify and prioritize information and to make fast judgement calls
• Able to balance competing stakeholder interests and demands within financial constraints
• Adaptable, able to respond to shifting deadlines and competing priorities
• Peoplesoft and Legal Aid Online proficiency
• Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint proficiency
Preferred Skills and Experience:
• Experience managing financial and administrative functions with experience in financial analysis
• Criminal law appellate experience
• Understanding of LAO's roster management processes
• District Area Office knowledge or experience
• Centralized Services Office knowledge or experience
• Experience communicating with governmental and agency stakeholders
• French proficiency is considered an asset
How to apply
To apply submit a covering letter & resume through http://www.legalaid.on.ca/en/careers
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.
Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
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: candidate.njoynhelp@cgi.com.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:
What we offer
What does LAO offer?
At LAO, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to enhance employees' professional and personal well-being, reflecting our values of equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging.
Your health and wellness
Our health and wellness program includes:
Dental, health and life insurance
• Short-Term Disability and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Permanent employees are eligible for long-term disability insurance
• An employee assistance program (EAP) that offers professional, confidential counselling services to employees and members of their immediate families. The EAP operates programs that address common life issues such as childcare, smoking, financial difficulty, and more.
Your work-life balance
Employees enjoy generous paid time-off including:
• 17 vacation days at hire,
• Sick days
• Discretionary days
• 3 paid days for religious or cultural observances
• Statutory holidays and The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Remembrance Day and Easter Monday
Your career
LAO supports your career development by offering professional development and networking through several programs, including training to support a positive culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB), and lunch and learns to build client service skills
• Informal Employee Networks for staff with shared identities to connect, support each other and build professional networks
• Law Society of Ontario (LSO) accredited training to support learning and professional development for all employees
• EDIB-focused training
• Mentorship programs, including an Indigenous-focused mentorship program
Your future
Employees are eligible to enroll in the defined benefit Public Service Pension Plan which provides financial security during retirement.