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Parenting Legal Advocacy & Navigation Support Assistant Position – Dartmouth

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NOVA SCOTIA LEGAL AID COMMISSION

PARENTING LEGAL ADVOCACY & NAVIGATION SUPPORT ASSISTANT


Type of Employment: 1-year Term with potential for permanency
Location: Dartmouth Family Office, 1210-99 Wyse Road, Dartmouth
Salary: TE 13-1 to TE 19-5 ($40,733.16 to $59,115.94)
Closing Date:  April 3, 2025 at 4:30 pm

Who we are:
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers quality legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are systematically disadvantaged. NSLAC’s focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.

NSLAC employs staff in 24 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province. Our staff are comprised of Staff Lawyers, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Court Support Workers, Social Workers, a Social Justice Support Worker, and a Prison Law Support Worker. Our staff help thousands of clients every year. We are committed to helping overcome historical and ongoing barriers to access to justice and our Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application, cover letter or resume.

Primary Functions:
Reporting to the Managing Lawyer and under direction of the Executive Office and Parenting Legal Advocacy & Navigation Staff Lawyers, the Parenting Legal Advocacy & Navigation Support Assistant (PLANSA) will work with the Parenting Legal Advocacy & Navigation team, providing comprehensive administrative support to the Parenting Legal Advocacy & Navigation Staff Lawyers, as well as some direct work with clients and community partners.  An understanding of and commitment to client service is imperative.  This practice group serves parents needing advice before a court application has begun or in the early stages of a child protection court proceeding.  This position will have responsibility for a wide range of assignments involving the day-to-day operations and must have a broad range of knowledge relating to the activities and policies of the Commission.

Ideal Attributes and Skills:
Effectively manages PLAN client applications and intake, obtain basic information, draft forms and documents, review and summarize PLAN files and disclosure

  • Manages, coordinates, and ensures the smooth flow of work in a Staff Lawyer’s practice
  • Ensures management of administrative related duties
  • A good working knowledge of legal terminology, legal research and court procedures.
  • Provides accurate and appropriate information on Commission programs and policies to members of the public, Staff Lawyers, Directors of the Commission, senior government officials and government agencies in a tactful, professional, and courteous manner
  • Prepares and arranges for the service of Subpoenas
  • Prepares files for transfer to family offices for continued service as required
  • Organizes file materials and exhibits for hearings/pre-trial/settlement conferences and prepare file for closure by lawyer
  • Willingness to assist other staff members and cross train on other skills when required.
  • Ability to work independently, to take initiative, and to use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity
  • Be able to work with clients who have complex needs and works independently in a fast-paced environment as well as part of a team
  • Compliance with NSLAC’s policies and procedures
  • Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively
  • Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including legal research applications, MS Office and Outlook
  • Any other additional projects and tasks as required

Qualifications:

  • Graduate of a recognized post-secondary paralegal or clerical certificate program and five (5) years of equivalent work experience
  • Experience handling Child Protection Cases in a law office would be an asset
  • Commissioner of Oaths would be an asset

If you are talented, conscientious and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.

Please indicate Position Title and Location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the email subject line. Please send your resume and cover letter to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca.

While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Legal Assistant Position – Sipekne’katik

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LEGAL ASSISTANT


1-year Term Contract
Salary: (TE 13-1 to TE 19-5) $40,733.16 to $59,115.94
Closing date:  March 27, 2025 at 4:30 pm

BACKGROUND
Nova Scotia Legal Aid and Sipekne’katik First Nation are partnering on an exciting new initiative of addressing the current barriers Sipekne’katik community members face when accessing legal services outside of Community. Nova Scotia Legal Aid is working with Sipekne’katik to provide legal services and educational initiatives by opening a legal aid office on Sipekne’katik First Nation.

Sipekne’katik First Nation is a Mi’kmaw community with over 3,000 band members located in Hants County, Nova Scotia. Sipekne’katik is one of the seven geographic districts of Mi’kma’ki – the ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq that encompasses Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland, and Maine.

Sipekne’katik is a community rooted in the traditions and history of its ancestors, taking pride in their Mi’kmaw culture, language and way of life. Sipekne’katik includes the communities of Indian Brook (now called Sipekne’katik), New Ross, Pennal, Dodd’s Lot, Hammonds Plains, and Grand Lake.

Sipekne’katik is a vibrant, growing community. Sipekne’katik strives to provide exciting cultural, educational, social, and many other opportunities for all its band members. The Sipekne’katik Band is focused on improving the economic sustainability of the community.  Through a strategic plan and sound economic initiatives, the Sipekne’katik Band is improving the standard of living for its community and all their band members by providing essential goods, services and supports that are developed and delivered by the community.

STATEMENT OF INTENTION
This position is designated to applicants who identify as Mi’kmaq or Indigenous Persons.  Lived experience in a historical Mi’kmaw Community is an asset for this position.  However, we encourage all applicants to apply.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve.

We welcome and encourage applications from all individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups including Indigenous Peoples, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Newcomers to Canada, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Individuals, and Women. These applications will be considered if a suitable candidate is not found within a Mi’kmaw or Indigenous community. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application, cover letter or résumé/C.V.

We are committed to accommodating those with disabilities at any stage of the hiring process, so please advise of the required accommodations.

WHO WE ARE
A career at Nova Scotia Legal Aid is incredibly rewarding and unlike any other in the legal field, regardless of the area of law. At Legal Aid, no two days are ever alike. It is a dynamic, fast-paced, and demanding workplace, and each day presents an opportunity to help make the lives of Nova Scotians better by compassionately assisting them through the most important legal issues happening in their lives.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides free legal information, advice, and representation to Nova Scotians facing criminal, family, or social justice issues, through 24 service offices and 3 sub-offices, with a focus on low income and equity-deserving populations as well as those experiencing gender-based, intimate partner, or family violence. This initiative will open the door to a new model of providing direct services to communities.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid has specialized service offices for youth, social justice, mental health legal services, and criminal and family appeals.

Our work on Sipekne’katik is guided by:

  • Establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships
  • Engaging and collaborating with Community organizations, Elders and leaders
  • Encouraging and supporting Community approach to resolving conflict and disputes
  • Recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health in the Mi’kmaq view
  • Approaching the work with humility, remembering we are guests in Community

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
As a legal assistant in this position, you can expect to:

  • Effectively manage the front desk, incoming calls, application intakes and distribution.
  • Manage, organize and co-ordinate Lawyers’ practice.
  • Transcribe and type briefs and correspondence, and assure timely preparation, accuracy and documentation of all related documents including Orders, affidavits, financial statements, petitions, etc.
  • Ensure the management of all legal administrative related duties.
  • Certificate administration.
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity.
  • Be able to work with clients who have complex needs and work independently in a fast-paced environment as well as part of a team.
  • Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with competing priorities and deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including comfort speaking with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including legal research and Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Outlook).
  • All other duties as required.

PROFESSIONAL & LIVED EXPERIENCE
You’re our ideal candidate if you are talented, hardworking and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, caring, dedicated and committed to our clients. Experience with family law cases, criminal court practices, and social justice matters would be an asset.

You will also need:

  • Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal or equivalent training and related relevant experience.

THE PACKAGE
1-year Term Contract
Salary: (TE 13-1 to TE 19-5) $40,733.16 to $59,115.94

Nova Scotia Legal Aid offers its employees a wide range of benefits including but not limited to:

  • Health, dental, long-term disability, and life insurance
  • Defined benefit pension
  • Starting 3 weeks of vacation
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program
  • Support for community involvement
  • Professional development and mentorship

APPLY NOW
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca. Please indicate Position Title and Location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the email subject line.

While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications will be held in strict confidence.

Legal Assistant Position – Halifax South Office

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NOVA SCOTIA LEGAL AID COMMISSION

LEGAL ASSISTANT

 

Type of Employment: Term Contract
Location: Halifax South Office, 400-5475 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
Salary: TE 13-1 to TE 19-5 ($40,733.16 to $59,115.94)
Closing Date:  March 20, 2025 at 4:30 pm

Who we are:
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers quality legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are systematically disadvantaged. NSLAC’s focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.

NSLAC employs staff in 24 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province. Our staff are comprised of Staff Lawyers, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, Court Support Workers, Social Workers, a Social Justice Support Worker, and a Prison Law Support Worker. Our staff help thousands of clients every year. We are committed to helping overcome historical and ongoing barriers to access to justice and our Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.

We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. We welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application, cover letter or resume.

Primary Functions:
Reporting to the Managing Lawyer and under the direction of the Office Manager and Staff Lawyers, the Legal Assistant provides comprehensive administrative support in criminal law matters to the lawyers in the day-to-day conduct of clients’ legal affairs. An understanding of and commitment to client service is imperative.  The Legal Assistant must have a broad range of knowledge relating to the functions, activities, policies and practices of the NSLAC.

Ideal Attributes and Skills:

  • Effectively manage the front desk, incoming calls, application intake and distribution.
  • Manage, organize and coordinate lawyers’ practices.
  • Transcribes, types briefs and transcripts assuring timely preparation, accuracy and documentation of correspondence.
  • Certificate administration.
  • Ensures management of all legal administrative related duties.
  • Ability to work independently, to take initiative, and to use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity.
  • Be able to work with clients who have complex needs.
  • Work independently in a fast-paced environment as well as part of a team.
  • Compliance with NSLAC’s policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrated time management and ability to deal with conflicting priorities and deadlines.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively.
  • Experience and proficiency with computer software packages including legal research applications, MS Office and Outlook.
  • All other duties as required

Qualifications:

  • Post-secondary diploma in Legal Administration or Paralegal or equivalent training and related relevant experience.
  • Minimum 2 years of experience with family law cases, criminal court practices, social justice matters, procedures and systems would be an asset.

If you are talented, conscientious and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.

Please indicate Position Title and Location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the email subject line. Please send your resume and cover letter to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca.

While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications will be held in strict confidence.