Review Counsel

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Position Purpose:
Reporting to the Director the Review Counsel is responsible for overseeing all work done on behalf of a client and is the lawyer responsible for each file. The incumbent is responsible for the supervision and management of law students working in the clinic. The incumbent is responsible for providing ongoing clinic education to students on all matters relating to poverty law court conduct and file management. The incumbent acts on behalf of the Director and other Review Counsel during shortterm absences.

This position is for the Criminal Law Division at the University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic.

In this role you will:

• Legal Casework: Represents the Community Legal Clinic and external clients in appearances before courts and administrative tribunals on files under the Review Counsels responsibilities: drafts legal pleadings and appears at hearings and other proceedings as required. Advocates on behalf of the Community Legal Clinic and its clientele in all exchanges with courts tribunals and third parties. Explains legal issues and rights responsibilities obligations and benefits to clients; develops arguments including oral and written submissions and conducts trials or hearings as necessary. Ensures all casework carried out by law students is in accordance with proper practice.
• Student Management & Supervision: Supervises students in accordance with professional standards as set by the Law Society of Ontario. Trains and serves as a mentor to law students on all necessary aspects of law and legal research. Delegates work responsibilities and tasks to students supervises students completion of work and provides appropriate guidance and feedback. Educates recruited students on all necessary aspects of law touching the Clinics areas of practice.
• Student Recruitment: Recruits selects and interviews students for full time summer employment. Recruits and selects students registering for the clinic courses.
• Teaching: Designs and delivers legal aid courses each academic year with a maximum of one course per academic term in the undergraduate program (JD) at the Faculty of Law Common Law Section as determined by the Vice Deans (French and English) thus contributing to the academic programming of the Common Law Section and the Community Legal Clinic.
• Innovation & Collaboration: Develops and implements innovative clinic pedagogical methods in supervising and advising law students at the Clinic. Develops relationships and partnerships with Ottawa legal clinics to foster quality opportunities for law students. Develops innovative ideas on providing accessible service to community clients.
• Remains current on legislation and legislative changes affecting the Community Legal Clinic and its clients and on developments at common law and provides legal advice on appropriate operational compliance and/or policy responses.

What you will bring:

• LL.B or J.D. and member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario
• 1 year experience as a practising lawyer preferably in the area of poverty law or in a clinical legal setting
• Bilingualism French and English (spoken and written)
• Experience working with law students and diverse clientele
• Experience teaching at the university level with proven teaching ability
• Experience and knowledge in clinical legal pedagogy and clientcentered lawyering
• Experience working in the area of poverty law and/or in a clinic legal setting
• Excellent communications and organizational skills
• Sound professional judgment
• Ability to prioritize tasks as necessary and to handle unexpected tasks with efficiency
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
• Ability to produce high quality work under pressure while meeting strict deadlines
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly