Staff Lawyer

Collage HR is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Staff Lawyer to join our team at the Indigenous Justice Centre (IJC).

The Staff Lawyer will use their legal skills to represent Indigenous clients facing criminal charges with the overarching goal of reducing the number of Indigenous people incarcerated with federal and provincial corrections. A secondary focus will be to represent Indigenous clients involved in MCFD (child welfare) proceedings.

• Provide legal representation for criminal and child protection matters to clients who would not otherwise have legal representation.
• Advocate on behalf of clients for the diversion of their legal matters from the formal court system to less intrusive measures, including Indigenous intervention protocols, First Nations Courts, Indigenous justice processes, alternative dispute resolution processes; mediation and restorative justice processes where appropriate.
• Work with the Resource and Support Worker to provide wrap-around services that meet the needs of your client.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with Indigenous communities and service providers, probation, diversion, crown counsel and other crown agencies.
• Collaborate with Indigenous, local, provincial and federal government agencies and service providers to ensure clients have access to culturally safe and Indigenized programs and services needed to provide them with support and to assist in ensuring their children remain out of MCFD care and their members remain outside of the criminal justice system.

• Membership in a Canadian Law Society, preferably British Columbia.
• 1-5 years litigation experience in criminal defence – exposure to MCFD (child welfare) matters would be an asset.
• Knowledge of local and urban Indigenous cultures.
• Ability to provide a culturally safe environment for clients.
• Knowledge of the structure and procedures of Canada's Criminal Justice System, including knowledge of the criminal law, Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Gladue principles and case law.
• Knowledge of the structure and procedures of British Columbia's child protection system, including the Child Family and Community Services Act, and Bill C-92 – An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families.

• Extended benefits package that includes health and dental, personal days, paid vacation, and RRSP/TFSA savings plans.
• Pay Range: $90,000 - $150,000 - salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
• Full-time (35 hours/week); Mondays to Fridays.

Collage HR is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Preference will be provided to Indigenous applicants in accordance with section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code.