STAFF LAWYER POSITIONS (2)

NOVA SCOTIA LEGAL AID COMMISSION

 In 1963, a legislative process was created to clear up land title, and ownership, issues for residents who live in thirteen specific communities within Nova Scotia. The process allows residents in these Land Title Clarification areas to give information to the government about how they (or those from whom they have inherited or bought the land) have used and occupied the land for at least 20 years.

Position:  Reporting to the Internal Operations Director for the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission, two (2) Contract Staff Lawyer positions are being created as part of the Land Titles Clarification Project. These positions will be dedicated to the land title clarification areas of North Preston, East Preston, Cherry Brook, Lincolnville and Sunnyville. The lawyers filling these positions will be located in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and will be required to travel to other parts of Nova Scotia, including Antigonish and Guysborough Counties. The successful candidates will be working with African Nova Scotia residents in the land titles clarification areas to assist them in obtaining clear title. The lawyers filling these positions are required to have an understanding of the African Nova Scotian community, and the unique context of each individual community, its historical significance, and the current challenges. Start date is to be as soon as possible.

Qualifications:

• Must be a practicing, insured member in good standing of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society.
• Candidates should have 2-5 years’ experience.
• Candidates must have experience in Real Estate, Estate & Probate law, along with experience in representing clients before the courts.
• Candidates must be qualified as Land Registration Act (LRA) lawyers, or have the ability to meet this condition within sixty (60) days of commencement of employment.

 Specialty Statement(s):

• Significant travel within Nova Scotia will be required. A valid driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle are required.

Salary Range:  Per Legal Aid salary scale based on “Relevant Experience” as determined by the Commission at time of hire plus benefits.

Closing Date:  Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 4:00 PM

Reply To:

Amy Dickson
Operations Administrative Assistant
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
920-1701 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS   B3J 3M8
902-420-3471 Fax
Amy.Dickson@nslegalaid.ca

The primary area of responsibility for those filling these positions will be delivering all of the legal services required to assist residents engaged in the Land Titles Clarification Project, who live in the five specific Nova Scotia communities noted above. Due to the nature of the project, these are designated positions that are restricted to persons belonging to the African Nova Scotian Community.

These are term opportunities with a scheduled end date of December 2019. While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be held in strict confidence.

PART-TIME LEGAL ASSISTANT POSITIONS (2)

NOVA SCOTIA LEGAL AID COMMISSION

 In 1963, a legislative process was created to clear up land title, and ownership, issues for residents who live in thirteen specific communities within Nova Scotia. The process allows residents in these Land Title Clarification areas to give information to the government about how they (or those from whom they have inherited or bought the land) have used and occupied the land for at least 20 years.

Position:  Two experienced Legal Assistants, for one-year contract positions, are being sought as part of the Land Titles Clarification Project. They will be dedicated to the land title clarification areas of North Preston, East Preston, Cherry Brook, Lincolnville and Sunnyville. These positions will be located in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).The successful candidates will provide administrative support to the legal teams working with the residents in the land clarification areas to obtain clear title. An understanding of the African Nova Scotian community and the unique context of each individual community, its historical significance, and the current challenges would be an asset.  Start date is to be as soon as possible.

Ideal Abilities and Skills:

• Minimum Grade 12 High School Diploma.
• Paralegal or 5 years’ equivalent training or related relevant experience in the areas of property and estate law.
• Experience working with the public and knowledge of real estate, estate & probate and community programs.
• Ability to work independently, to take initiative and to use judgment in matters of extreme confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team setting.
• The candidate should be proficient in transcription of dictation with excellent typing and communication skills, including attention to detail, accuracy and capacity to work under pressure of deadlines and multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to work in a high stress environment is an asset.
• Proficiency with personal computers including knowledge of programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.

Salary Level:  Clerical Classification and Pay Plan (CL), plus benefits.

Deadline for Applications:  Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 4:00 PM.

Reply To:

Submit resume with cover letter to:

Amy Dickson
Operations Administrative Assistant
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission
920-1701 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS   B3J 3M8
902-420-3471 Fax
Amy.Dickson@nslegalaid.ca

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve.  We have an Employment Equity Policy and welcome applications from historically disadvantaged groups, including: 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 the equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify, on your application form, cover letter, or resume.

These are term opportunities with a scheduled end date of December 2019.

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

The above-noted Booklet is available in a PDF version as well as a Mi’kmaq oral version and the link to same can be found on NSLA’s website on the Legal Information, Child Protection Videos page at https://www.nslegalaid.ca/legal-information/child-protection-videos/ as well as on the Aboriginal Justice Page at https://www.nslegalaid.ca/legal-information/aboriginal-justice/. This Booklet can also be found on the Courts of Nova Scotia website at http://courts.ns.ca/child_protection_videos/CP_videos_Mkq.htm

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides assistance with tenancy issues. Tammy Wohler, Social Justice Lawyer, Halifax North Office, was interviewed by CBC and the article entitled “Criminal record checks on prospective tenants ‘discriminatory,’ says Halifax lawyer” can be viewed here:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/criminal-records-housing-renting-crime-1.4485932

Tammy also did a January 15^th television interview with Tom Murphy for the CBC Newsmaker segment which will air this evening.

If you need help with your tenancy matter, please contact Nova Scotia Legal Aid.

We are pleased to advise that Angela Simmonds, Articled Clerk with Nova Scotia Legal Aid’s HRM Youth Office, was the recipient of the Dr. Burnley Allan “Rocky” Jones Individual Award at the International Human Rights Day and Awards held on December 8^th.  Congratulations Angela!

Picture below is Angela with her family. Angela’s youngest son Adre was unable to attend the ceremony as he is in Ontario for school, however, pictured from left to right are:  AJ, son; Angela;  Angelina, daughter; and husband, Dean.

Angela’s recipient biography was as follows:

Angela Simmonds believes that the law can be used as a tool to address discrimination, systemic racism and inequities in our society.

She has become a legal expert on Preston land claims and issues relating to the Land Titles Clarification Act (LTCA).  Because of her work helping African Nova Scotians to obtain titles to their land that their families have lived on for generations, she appeared before the a United Nations expert panel that subsequently echoed her recommendation in their preliminary report.  She also worked closely with the Nova Scotia Community College to create a video on the subject that was recently awarded the Human Rights Amnesty Award.

A JD graduate from the Dalhousie Schulich School of Law, Angela currently works for the Nova Scotia Legal Aid – Youth Office. She has previously worked for the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, Federal Prosecution Service Canada, the Department of Natural Resources, Schools Plus and the Halifax Regional School Board.

 She is a recipient of the 2017 Judge Corrine Sparks Award and the 2017 Dalhousie Legal Aid Service’s Sarah MacWalker MacKenzie Clinical Law Award.