Law Clerk

Overview

Position Type: One (1) Regular Full Time Position
Employee Group: CUPE 2501
Salary Range: $62,131.68 to $67,459.25
Department: Legal
Reports to: Senior Manager, Legal Services

Under the supervision of the Senior Manager of Legal Services, the Law Clerk provides expertise and support to workers and legal staff in the drafting, preparation, and serving of necessary legal and court documentation required to satisfy legal requirements under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA). The Law Clerk maintains ongoing communication on file/case management including identifying required timelines for filing of affidavits, obtaining legal counsel input as required, and ensuring court requirements are fulfilled.

This position provides comprehensive administrative services to support the Legal Counsel and can be called upon to provide back-up coverage for the administrative services team.

Legal Document Preparation

• Provides leadership and assists staff in preparing affidavit evidence. Ensures that the form, terminology and language are appropriate for court filing. Assists in the drafting of Information in Support of Warrants and Telewarrants.
• Ensures all court documents are filed in a timely manner and that all documents and Affidavit of Service are filed with the court.
• Arranges for service of parties, as required. Ensure service requirements are met.
• Drafts and reviews court materials submitted by workers. Transcribes the information onto proper court documents, using terminology and language appropriate for court filing.
• Maintains ongoing consultation and coordination with workers and legal counsel to ensure accuracy and completeness of information.
• Collects and organizes necessary evidence to support court proceedings in compliance with rules of evidence.
• Conducts background research required for drafting materials.
• Coordinates with Legal Assistants a bring-forward system for status review dates and court filing deadlines.
• Prepares Notices of Hearing, Protection Applications, Status Review Applications, Notices of Motion, Affidavits in Support of Motion, Statements of Agreed Facts, Consents, Conference Briefs, Summons to Witness, and Affidavits of Service.

Adoption

• Meets with workers to advise of court documents required for Adoptions. Assists in the drafting of Adoption Applications, Local Director’s Consents, Affidavits, Child’s Consent, Affidavit of Parentage, and Consents of Biological Parents.
• Communicates with the Ministry regarding Extended Society Care Adoptions and Consent Adoptions; prepares Director’s Consent with Report on the Adjustment of the Child (ROACH).

Record Disclosure

• Responds to requests for record disclosure, ensuring all necessary documentation has been provided to those requesting disclosure.
• Vets files for disclosure in child protection proceedings.
• Meets with Legal Counsel to review disclosure, as needed.

Trial Preparation

• Assists with trial preparation.
• Organizes legal files in preparation for trials and summary judgment motions and ensures that all required documents have been completed and filed.
• Conducts legal research as directed by Counsel.

Legal Records Maintenance

• Coordinates, proofs, and organizes all legal documentation completed by Staff, including adoption applications, in accordance with the CYFSA, Family Law Rules, and directives from the Court and from Legal Counsel.
• Distributes by email Court Dockets and Disposition Reports.
• Maintains necessary legal information for statistical purposes.

Administrative Duties

• Maintains schedules for Court appearances, documentation due dates, legal meetings, and send notices to appropriate Legal Counsel and staff regarding same.
• Make all necessary arrangements for legal meetings.
• Answers incoming calls and respond to them accordingly; completes office duties such as faxing, photocopying, and filing.
• Assesses the urgency of crises situations when Legal Counsel is not available to seek an interim response.
• Contributes to centralized administrative services throughout the Agency as required.
• Opens/closes files in CPIN for record disclosures; maintains electronic records for court files; and scans/links…