Legal Assessment Team Manager

Description

Job Deion

Reporting to the Director,Certificate & Assessment Services some of the key responsibilities include:

Management and Leadership :

• Provide mentorship, coaching, information sessions and legal practice advice to the Assessment Team with the respective area of legal expertise.
• Participate in team meetings and other office/leadership meetings and lead team meetings of direct reports.
• Participate in recruitment activities in consultation with Human Resources.
• Performance management including conducting annual performance reviews for direct reports.
• Participate in coordinating training related to practice areas Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) operates in for staff lawyers and employees.
• Understand and ensure LAA policies and procedures are being adhered to.

Day-to-day Activities

• Lead in the development and continuous improvement of the Assessment Team Program.
• Responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the Assessment Team.
• Ensure ongoing development of the legal assessment operations manual aligns with best practices to assess, classify, and determine the appropriate level of client service coverage.
• Participate in various committees and in stakeholder meetings as applicable to enhance access to justice for our clients and to improve Alberta’s overall justice system.
• Responsible for other duties and/or project work as assigned by the Director, Certificate & Assessment Services
• Responsible for educating roster lawyers in their understanding of the Legal Aid Alberta Rules, Policies and Tariff.
• Responsible for dealing with roster escalation as it relates to decisions made by the Manager and the Assessment Team.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Law Degree
• Minimum 7 years experience in Family and Criminal Law Required
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Justice System, legal terminology and Community Service Agencies

Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge:

• Familiar with databases and various computer applications such as case management software.
• Excellent working knowledge of criminal or family, including:
  • Legal processes and relevant legislation.
  • Rules of Court and court proceedings.
  • Youth Criminal Justice Act.
  • Criminal Code and sentencing.
• Excellent understanding of court room and administrative processes.
• Legal analysis and application of law to relevant facts.
• Excellent computer literacy, particularly MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal & communication (written and oral) skills, including the ability to express ideas and recommendations clearly and concisely.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with lawyers and non-lawyers in a fast paced, high stress environment.

Extensive research and technical skills with the ability to investigate facts, identify issues, ascertain organizational objectives, consider alternative solutions, analyse risk and advise clients and/or LAA on the appropriate course of action.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills including the ability to deal with conflicting or urgent priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and general management skills.
• Maturity, tact and good judgment, particularly when clients are in conflict or crisis.
• Understand issues arising when dealing with persons from diverse cultures, persons from low-income or other disadvantaged groups and persons in distress.
• Ability to use web-based legal research tools and other web-based resources.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and a passion for improving access to justice