Family Law Practice Lawyer

Criminal Defence Lawyer - New York and Ontario Bars |Fresh suits and fresh ideas

Family Law Practice Lead

Location: London, Ontario Firm: Established Criminal Defence Firm Expanding into Family Law Compensation: ~$90 - 100K base + performance-based bonus + defined path to profit sharing/leadership Benefits: Malpractice insurance covered; administrative support; group health and dental

About the Firm

We are an established criminal defence firm with a strong reputation and a genuinely good workplace culture. We take a human approach to law — client-centred, practical, and grounded — and we believe in people over profit. Doing excellent work for clients and treating people well are not competing values here.

Our office is:

• easy-going but professional
• high trust, high autonomy
• team-oriented and low ego

We value efficiency, systems thinking, and smart use of technology (including AI), to reduce friction, improve client service, and free lawyers up to focus on actual lawyering. We care about outcomes, not face time.

Our team genuinely likes each and have formed friendships outside of work.

As we expand into family law, protecting this culture is just as important as financial performance.

About the Opportunity

We regularly receive high-quality family law inquiries, many of which overlap with criminal matters. Rather than referring these files out, we are building a family law practice within the firm
.

This is not a junior role and not a training position.

We are looking for an experienced, motivated family lawyer who wants to build and lead a family law department inside a stable, collegial firm — with clear metrics, real autonomy, and a defined path to leadership and long-term partnership.

If you are looking for a low-responsibility role, this will not be a fit. If you want to build something meaningful, with support and a clear path to equity, it may be.

The Role

You will:

• Run family law files independently from intake to resolution
• Conduct paid consultations and convert them to retained matters
• Enforce retainer and billing policies
• Build a sustainable family law practice within the firm
• Collaborate with the criminal defence team where matters overlap
• Participate as a full member of the firm heading another department

You will have strong administrative and billing support. The firm provides infrastructure, branding, marketing support, and modern tools. We do not micromanage — we care about results, professionalism, and how people treat one another.

Initial Term

• Base salary: ~$90 - 100K plus Lawpro and LSO fees
• Performance-based bonus tied directly to collections
• Clear, objective monthly and quarterly benchmarks
• Health and Dental coverage through the firms benefits plan
• Upon meeting performance targets, you will transition into the role of Family Law Practice Lead
• Authority to grow the practice and recruit in associates
• Increased compensation tied to department growth
• Participation in revenue generated by associates you recruit and develop

Profit-Sharing Path

• Defined profit-sharing path toward partnership in the family law practice
• Partnership is earned through results, leadership, cultural fit, and profitability — not tenure

All benchmarks, transitions, and expectations are set out clearly and objectively.

Work Arrangement

Our preference is for team members to be meaningfully integrated into the firm and its culture. In-office collaboration matters to us.

That said, we recognize that strong candidates do not always live in the same city. Hybrid or partially remote arrangements may be considered for the right person. For candidates based outside the area, this would typically involve regular in-office time of at least 2.5 days/week with flexibility around the remainder.

A fully remote, is not the goal. We are building a cohesive team and practice, not a collection of disconnected lawyers.

Who You Are

You are someone who:

• Is substantively competent and confident running family law files
• Is comfortable with retainers, billing, and client management
• Wants responsibility and ownership, not just an associate position
• Enjoys working as part of a team
• Treats colleagues, staff, and clients with respect
• Appreciates good systems, efficiency, and…