WHO WE ARE:
The University of Windsor (the University or UWindsor) is a globally relevant, regionally focused University that welcomes over 16,000 students in a range of comprehensive and research-intensive graduate and undergraduate programs. The University consists of eight academic faculties, which include Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Human Kinetics; Education; Law; Engineering; Nursing; and Business. The UWindsor campus is home to a medical program offered by Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. The University employs a passionate and dedicated faculty and staff, numbering approximately 2,500, of whom approximately 600 are tenured or tenure-track faculty.
The University’s unique position on an international border between Canada and the United States has contributed to its identity as a diverse university community providing rich cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities for faculty and students. The University is a key player in a wide range of distinctive industrial, entrepreneurial, and cultural activities throughout the City of Windsor and Essex County, and in an evolving network of international academic and industrial partnerships, particularly with leading American universities in Michigan.
ABOUT US:
Community Legal Aid (CLA) is a Student Legal Services Organization (SLSO) which is a joint project of the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, and Legal Aid Ontario. CLA is a legal clinic that provides free legal services for low-income residents of Windsor-Essex County and full-time University of Windsor undergraduate students. We represent our clients in legal matters in the following areas: criminal and provincial offences, employment law, family law, housing law, elder law, consumer protection and small claims court matters. CLA also participates in community outreach programs and conducts public legal education sessions.
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Review Counsel reports to the Clinic Director and provides thorough and meticulous guidance, mentorship, and supervision to law students engaged at CLA. Review Counsel supervises all legal services and file work completed by students for clients of the clinic, including document preparation, legal research, advocacy, file management, legal analysis and problem solving, negotiations, and professional ethics. Review Counsel ensures law students receive effective training and guidance in clinic practices, procedures and substantive areas of law while participating in the CLA office. Additionally, the Review Counsel actively participates in community outreach and advocacy efforts including public legal education sessions.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful candidate will possess:
• Minimum requirement of an LL.B. or J.D.
• A member, in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario
• Experience in criminal law, provincial offences, and housing law
• Experience in areas of clinic practice
• Experience managing and/or supervising volunteers and students
• Must abide by the appropriate rules of professional conduct
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to be patient and sensitive to clients challenged with social and/or mental health issues
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work under tight timelines and multiple deadlines in a dynamic and changing environment(s)
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
• Ability to work co-operatively with other members of staff, including showing initiative in addressing and resolving issues
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written
• Superior interpersonal skills, as well as professional demeanor and the ability to work well with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Legal Aid Ontario software
• Awareness of and sensitivity to individual, gender, and cultural differences with a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience in family law would be an asset
• Crown experience and familiarity with SLSO clinic model and operations would be an asset