We are seeking a skilled lawyer to join our team and provide legal services to individuals who have been negatively impacted by antisemitism, including the provision of summary legal advice, brief services, and representation at mediations, hearings and court proceedings. The Staff Lawyer will also be involved in case litigation, the development of public legal education materials, and law reform initiatives directed by the LTF’s Steering Committee.

About Us

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) builds and nurtures relationships with leaders in government, media, academia, civil society, and other faith and ethnic communities to ensure greater understanding of the issues that impact the Jewish community. CIJA combats antisemitism and discrimination in all its forms and advocates for fundamental rights and freedoms, social justice, and support for the people of Israel. As the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada, CIJA is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of Jewish life in Canada by advancing the public policy interests of Canada’s organized Jewish community.

The LTF was created for the purpose of using legal strategies to combat antisemitism, hate, and discrimination in Canada. The LTF is a collaborative effort that brings together a diverse group of volunteer legal experts from various backgrounds across Canada, including in-house counsel, practicing lawyers, retired lawyers and judges, as well as non-legal professionals and advisors.

Primary Functions

• Reviews and triages all incoming requests for legal assistance; assesses merit of application and eligibility of individuals for further legal services based on LTF’s service eligibility guidelines; makes recommendation to CIJA’s VP, External Affairs and General Counsel (VP) and the LTF Steering Committee (Steering Committee) on eligibility for further services including representation.

• Determines which files will be taken on directly and which will be assigned to LTF volunteer counsel based on their area of expertise, and whether a matter requires legal services beyond summary advice.

• Provides high-quality pro bono legal services to LTF clients in a manner that complies with LTF’s vision, mission, policies, and practices.  Services range from brief, limited scope virtual summary advice to in-person representation of clients through all stages of litigation up to and including trial.

• Manages case load of assigned client files; determines nature and complexity of issues, and appropriate legal strategy in each case, consistently with LTF policies; confers with VP and Steering Committee as necessary and/or as requested.

• Drafts pleadings and grievances, conducts settlement negotiations, attends at mediations and hearings, including those at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

• Works with VP and Steering Committee on the conduct of judicial review applications including preparation of facta and oral argument.

• Drafts materials as required, including correspondence, forms, affidavits, etc.

• Participates in public legal education activities within LTF’s mandate, including researching, preparing and producing oral and written public legal education and training sessions and participating in events as public speaker/conference presenter.

Required Skills

Legal

• Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).

• Practical experience in the areas of labour and employment law and human rights law or similar practice experience, is an asset.

• Experience providing advice and/or representation in the areas of discrimination, alternative dispute resolution techniques, including mediation.

• Knowledge of Human Rights legislation in Ontario, including the Human Rights Code and the independent roles and inter-relationship of the three pillars of the system – the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.

• Knowledge of litigation principles and practice and experience appearing before adjudicative boards and tribunals.

Case Management, Preparation and Research

• Case management skills including tracking file workflow and status, recording legal advice and services provided on non-retained and retained files.

• Case preparation skills including conducting legal research and preparing case related materials such as legal submissions, motions, etc.  

• Analytical skills to research and analyze complex legal issues/cases and develop/implement solutions based on sound legal research and precedents.

General

• Strong Interpersonal skills to interact sensitively and respectfully with members of the public; ability to explain complex legal issues, engage in conflict resolution discussions on behalf of clients in negotiations with respondents.

• Sound organizational and administrative skills and the ability to prioritize a variety of tasks.

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Outlook and Teams).

• Ability to work with minimal supervision and effectively as part of a team.

• Ability to manage a high caseload independently and work with minimal administrative support.

• Effective research and oral and written advocacy skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work.

• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

• Knowledge of issues of concern to Canada’s Jewish community.

• Bilingualism an asset.

• Flexibility – work on nights and weekends may arise.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to recruitment@cija.ca. This position is 100% remote. Please note that applications will be considered as they are received. Only candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted. No walk-ins or phone calls, please.

Deadline for submissions is August 16^th, 2024.