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*Community Legal Aid is not currently accepting articling applications. Thank you for your interest in Community Legal Aid.*

 

Articling with Community Legal Aid (CLA)

 

CLA is looking for a confident, self-starter who is excited to learn our various areas of law and to work within our community. We are looking for individuals eager to serve live clients with an access to justice focus.    A demonstrated interest in working with low–income individuals and communities is an asset. You will gain valuable legal experience in a variety of practice areas.  

 

What We Practice:

 

• Landlord and Tenant Disputes and Tenant Rights

• Criminal Offences - Summary conviction where there is no possibility of imprisonment including Domestic Violence offences

• Provincial Offences

• Highway Traffic offences

• Small Claims -- Wrongful dismissal and consumer protection

• Employment Standards Claims

• Family Law - - Summary Advice on limited matters

• Academic and Non-Academic appeals at the University of Windsor

• Elder Law including some Wills and Estate Trustee support work

• Public Legal Education

• Community Outreach

 

 

Who we help:

 

Our clients are low-income community residents of Windsor and Essex County who meet Legal Aid Ontario’s financial eligibility guidelines and full-time University of Windsor undergraduate students, who require assistance with matters within our practice areas.

 

 

Job Description:

 

Reporting to your articling principal and working with the Executive Director, Review Counsel, CLA staff and students; the articling student is tasked with carrying their own file load while being called upon to also assist with other clinic needs as they arise.  As a CLA Articling student you should be prepared to:

 

• Conduct intakes and client meetings

• Draft and prepare various correspondence and communications to clients, opposing parties, and third parties

• Draft and prepare various court and tribunal documents such as pleadings, claims, defences, applications, settlement documents, and draft orders

• Develop case strategy

• Gather and assess evidence, and prepare disclosure of evidence

• Negotiate settlements

• Maintain ongoing client communications and professionalism

• Prepare for and attend various court and tribunal appearances remotely and in person before the Ontario Court of Justice, Provincial Offences, Landlord and Tenant Board, Small Claims.  This includes remands, case conferences, hearings, crown resolution discussions, guilty pleas and trials

• Prepare and conduct Public Legal Education Sessions

• During clinic transition periods expect to take carriage of files and attend any court or tribunal appearances, and address emergencies

• Adhere to Professional Rules of Conduct

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and balance a high-volume workload

• Work independently and in a team environment

• Mentor volunteer law students

• Exhibit strong time management and organizational skills

• Exhibit strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Perform such other duties as assigned

 

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