Union:

The Society

Job Number: J0926-0591

Job Title: Institutional Duty Counsel

Job Type: Permanent Full Time

City, Province, Country: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Location: Toronto

Job Category: Legal

Open Positions: 1

Posting Date: October 1, 2026

Closing Date: October 14, 2026

Salary: $95,678.79 - $163,502.20 /Year

Primary function

This role is responsible for providing services to clients at the Toronto East Detention Centre in Toronto. The Institutional Duty Counsel will work in conjunction with duty counsel at court as part of a team to ensure that remote court appearances are meaningful, effective, and do not lead to a diminished expectation of reasonable bail or resolution for accused persons. The successful candidate will also provide virtual criminal duty counsel services for the TEDC and the Toronto Courts.

Home Location: Toronto East Detention Centre (55 Civic Rd)
Secondary Locations: Toronto South Detention Centre (160 Horner Ave), 10 Armoury Street, 2201 Finch Avenue West, and any other locations where Duty Counsel services are provided.

Reporting to: Manager, Legal Services

Key accountabilities
• Reviewing and updating bail worksheets, DC notes, and other file materials prepared by DCat court
• Liaising between the client and DC at court
• Preparing the client for bail hearings and/or guilty pleas
• Calling potential sureties, interviewing them for suitability, and arranging for their attendance in court if necessary
• Making referrals to appropriate organizations for bail or in preparation of a guilty plea
• Reviewing disclosure and providing summary legal advice to clients
• Assisting clients in filling out forms (e.g. for video bail or for organizational supports)
• Assisting with Legal Aid Applications
• Providing general advice on legal aid processes such as certificate appeals
• Negotiating with the Crown Bail Vettor with regards to a bail plan or resolution
• Engaging with both local and non-local stakeholders in ongoing conversation around developing the role of duty counsel assisting from institutions (e.g. facilitate and/or attend regular stakeholder meetings on how to improve remand and bail times locally)
• Liaising with detention centre staff to facilitate client service
• File management
• Other duties as assigned

Required skills & experience
• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Demonstrated experience in representing clients with complex legal issues including conducting bail hearings and guilty pleas
• Experience conducting bail reviews is an asset
• Experience assessing 'fitness to stand trial' in the criminal context
• Experience advising clients on the mental health provisions of the Criminal Code
• Experience representing clients on Fitness Hearings and Treatment Order applications
• Willingness to conduct 'fitness to stand trial' assessments and conduct Fitness Hearings and Treatment Order applications from the institution
• Sound knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, criminal law procedures, rules of evidence, and case law
• Practical understanding of the Rules of Professional Conduct
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised in a fast-paced environment while also demonstrating collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and other stakeholders
• Proven judgment and analytical ability to determine appropriate legal remedies
• Demonstrated commitment to client service and relationship building skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, particularly when encountering stressful situations
• Well-developed interview skills including a proven ability to identify vulnerable clients so that the appropriate service and referrals can be made
• Proven ability to learn and adapt to new or modified policies and procedures
• Proven ability to document client files including advice to clients and instructions
• Significant knowledge of LAO priorities, policies, and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to use the latest communication technologies including tablets and smartphones and ability to utilize video conferencing platforms in order to deliver services virtually
• Must have intermediate knowledge of the following Microsoft programs: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity and competence with proper maintenance of computer information data bases such as PeopleSoft

What do we offer?

At Legal Aid Ontario, we are committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment and is designed to enhance both professional and personal well-being.

We have a comprehensive health and wellness program that include dental, health and life insurance along with Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, and Short-Term Disability (STD).

Employees at Legal Aid Ontario also enjoy generous paid time-off policy, including vacation days, sick days, discretionary days, and statutory holidays.

Employees are eligible to be enrolled to the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), administered by the Ontario Pension Board (OPB).

How to apply:

To apply submit a cover letter & résumé.

This position is represented by The Society of United Professionals and the employee will be governed by the provisions of the collective agreement and union dues will be deducted bi-weekly from date of hire.

First preference will be given to current members of The Society of United Professionals.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.

Final candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal record check.

Please note that all applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Applicants may receive written correspondence regarding this job posting directly to the email address provided on their resume or to the one used to set up their Candidate Profile if applying on Njoyn. As an applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you check your email regularly.

First time applying to LAO? You will need to create a profile AND then apply for the position.
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Once you have successfully applied you will receive a confirmation email.

Trouble applying? For telephone support please call 1-877-427-7717 or email support: [email protected].

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