Legal Aid Alberta is seeking to fill a Permanent Full-Time Legal Services Manager- Duty Counsel (Criminal) based in our Calgary office. This position will appeal to a leader that likes to take initiative, is client focused and is exceptionally strong in delivering high-quality results.
Who We Are As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, Legal Aid Alberta provides affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide, with 300 staff and 1,200 private practice lawyers helping people overcome their legal challenges in more than 75 communities across the province.
Who You Are Working at Legal Aid Alberta means you care about people and empathize with their situation. You have excellent communication skills especially in tough situations. You’re computer-savvy and more organized than anyone you know. Fast-paced work environments give you a rush and you’re always up for a challenge. You love learning new things, solving problems, and can adapt to change quickly. You care deeply about the success of our team and our organization.
Job Description Reporting to the Managing Director, Criminal Legal Services, this position will see you leading a team of lawyers in our Calgary and Southern Alberta Offices as well working with the Managing Director and other LAA leaders to deliver on LAA’s mission, vision and mandate. Other key responsibilities include:
Management and Leadership • Provide mentorship, coaching, and information sessions and provide legal practice advice to staff lawyers with the respective area of legal expertise. • Support Justice Services, and 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 Managers, and Human Resources (HR). • File Allocations and scheduling in consultation with Managing Directors as it relates to organizational lawyer caseload requirements and file types. • Oversight of the scheduling of daily coverage for the courtrooms staffed by LAA duty counsel in Southern Alberta. • 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 stakeholder meetings as applicable to enhance access to justice for our clients and to improve Alberta’s overall justice system. • Attendance in the Calgary office will be required as needed. • Travel to other LAA offices will be required as needed (typically on a quarterly basis). • 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. • 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 from a recognized law school. • Active member of the Law Society of Alberta. • Management experience supporting a team of Lawyers. • A minimum of five years of litigation and court experience in the areas of criminal, law. • Previous coaching, mentorship, and/or leadership experience is preferred.
Knowledge and Skills: • Excellent knowledge of, Criminal Code of Canada, Youth Criminal Justice Act, and related legislation, applicable case law. • 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. • Work in and familiarity with criminal specialty courts and restorative justice frameworks and principles is an asset. • Experience working with vulnerable populations and familiarity with trauma informed principles and practice would be considered an asset. • 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. • Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills. • Excellent analytical, logic, problem-solving, and organization skills, as well as sound business judgment. • 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 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.
Annual Salary Range: $125,000- $180,000
What We Offer: Perks of working with us • Competitive wage • RRSP employer contribution • Health and dental benefits • Health and wellness accounts • Employee assistance program • Hybrid work opportunities • 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’ 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 and social media screening.
