Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services
In-House Legal Counsel
Peterborough, Ontario•Full-time
CA$120,602.63 - CA$131,402.76 annually
CA$120,602.63 - CA$131,402.76 annually
About the Job
Position: In-House Legal Counsel (to review full posting go to www.binnoojiiyag.ca/careers)
Vacancy: 1 Full-Time Permanent
Location: Office Location within our East Region
Closing Date: May 3, 2026
MANDATORY: A completed Application Form must be included with your resume for your application to be considered. The Application Form can be found by: Visiting our careers page (www.binnoojiiyag.ca/careers)
Vacancy: 1 Full-Time Permanent
Location: Office Location within our East Region
Closing Date: May 3, 2026
MANDATORY: A completed Application Form must be included with your resume for your application to be considered. The Application Form can be found by: Visiting our careers page (www.binnoojiiyag.ca/careers)
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
In reporting to the Legal Services Manager, the In-House Legal Counsel represents the Agency in all matters prescribed with the CYFSA, The Federal Legislation, the Children’s Law Reform Act, the Family Law Rules, and any other relevant legislation. The In-House Legal Counsel understands the importance of seeking alternative approaches outside of the legal system that will result in preserving relationships, protecting cultural identity and promoting healing. The incumbent provides advice and guidance that respects the rights and well-being of Indigenous children, youth and families and supports solutions that reduce reliance on formal court processes and contributes to positive and sustainable outcomes.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Legal Consultation:
In reporting to the Legal Services Manager, the In-House Legal Counsel represents the Agency in all matters prescribed with the CYFSA, The Federal Legislation, the Children’s Law Reform Act, the Family Law Rules, and any other relevant legislation. The In-House Legal Counsel understands the importance of seeking alternative approaches outside of the legal system that will result in preserving relationships, protecting cultural identity and promoting healing. The incumbent provides advice and guidance that respects the rights and well-being of Indigenous children, youth and families and supports solutions that reduce reliance on formal court processes and contributes to positive and sustainable outcomes.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Legal Consultation:
- Provide legal consultation and training to Agency staff in execution of its mandate under the CYFSA and the Federal Legislation.
- Support the provision of services and case management practices that incorporate the enhancement and development of a positive cultural identity of the children, youth, families and communities served.
- Participate in case conferencing and decision making where appropriate on case management issues.
- Provide legal advice and services to Agency staff on the interpretation and application of the CYFSA and other legislation pertaining to child welfare or family law.
- Provide legal consultation with Agency staff regarding case planning, abuse registration and/or adoption related issues.
- Advocate and support the use of alternative approaches to the legal system.
- Assist Agency staff requiring preparation to appear on court matters.
Court Related Activities:
- Provide advice and representation for Agency staff at all levels of courts and tribunals including the Child and Family Services Review Board.
- Prepare cases for presentation in court by coordinating the gathering of all information and evidence.
- Draft and/or review pleadings, affidavits, briefs and all court related documents.
- Represent the Agency in all levels of the courts and tribunals in relation to the CYFSA, Children’s Law Reform Act, Family Law Act and other statues in both contested and uncontested matters including adjournments, contested motions, motions for summary judgment, hearings, conferences, motions for disclosure, trials and appeals.
- Prepare all documents, processes, case activities, dispositions and court forms.
- Undertake legal research as needed and review current and proposed legislation as required.
- Prepare Agency staff as witnesses.
- Negotiate settlements where possible.
- Represent the Agency in appeals brought by others and by the Society for orders under the CYFSA, at all levels of court, as required.
- Represent the Agency with respect to any litigation involving disclosure of Agency records and files.
- Support and problem solve high-profile and crisis situations.
- Participate in the presentation of training programs on legal matters and procedure Leadership and Relationship Building:
- Supervision of a Legal Assistant, providing strong leadership and guidance to fostering a values driven, supportive and collaborative team environment and culture of engagement and well-being.
- Promote learning and development, utilizing Agency tools and resources, including leadership competencies, wholistic reviews, coaching for improvement, internal and external training, etc.
- Promote employee recognition through informal and formal feedback.
- Communicate clear and measurable performance expectations and accountabilities to the Legal Assistant.
- Monitor and ensure appropriate distribution of tasks and workload.
- Foster a collaborative and cooperative relationship between Agency staff and community members potentially involved within the court system.
- Establish positive relationships with community, internal and external to the Agency, including Agency staff, medical professionals, police, Chief and Councils as well as collateral and community organizations involved in child welfare service delivery. Administration and Reporting:
- Complete administrative and reporting duties as required.
- Develop goals, objectives and measurable indicators of success.
- Document all legal issues, process and case activities in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Prepare reports, briefing notes and correspondence as required.
- Prepare and submit reports, attendance records and travel expense claims.
- Ensure confidentiality and safekeeping of all Agency documents and records.
- Develop and maintain accurate, up-to-date and concise work files.
Other Duties:
Other duties as assigned by the Legal Services Manager or designate.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree, LL.B. or Juris Doctor combined with a minimum of two (2) to three (3) years’ experience in litigation and in Family Law with some exposure to Child Welfare Law.
- A member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- Experience working within Child Welfare and/or Indigenous Child-Wellbeing setting would be considered an asset.
Availability Requirements:
Our office hours are 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour unpaid lunch. However, based on the needs of those we serve, our frontline staff regularly find themselves working outside of these hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Mandatory Requirements:
- Must be willing to work flexible hours including weekends, evenings and holidays as required.
- Provide an acceptable Canadian Police Information Centre Check (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS).
- Able to provide a safe vehicle for use on the job, an acceptable Driver’s Abstract, evidence of a valid Ontario Driver’s License and of Personal Liability & Property Damage insurance coverage for at least $2,000,000.00.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- The nature of the job requires flexibility in hours worked, especially during court trials.
- Longer than normal hours are required on a regular basis.
- A working location with a hybrid work from home option is available, subject to initial and ongoing eligibility.
- Travel within the catchment area will be required from time to time.
TO APPLY
- Please email the following to careers@binnoojiiyag.ca
- Application for Employment (available at www.binnoojiiyag.ca)
- Please indicate preferred location in your application
- Resume (include 3 work-related supervisory references)
- Incomplete Applications will not be considered.
- Only those selected will be contacted for an interview.
- As an Indigenous Child Wellbeing Agency, we give priority to applicants who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and those with close affiliations.
About Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag
(Nog-dah-wen-mawg) (Bin-ooh-zhee-yug)
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services is a multi-service Indigenous Child Well-Being Agency. We provide a stable foundation for children, youth, and families, through wraparound services that are culturally based and family-focused.
We seek to support our families in the way they deserve, with care and authenticity, and by recognizing and respecting spirit.
We form a wholistic, inclusive, and nonjudgmental circle of care. We seek to honour and support those we serve, with a constant commitment to growing our base of knowledge and expertise.
We are an agency that delivers culturally-intelligent services to our partner First Nation communities in Ontario. With our team of dedicated staff, we work with children, youth, and families as early as possible to help them navigate various obstacles and access services available to them. We offer services such as Child & Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Youth Justice, Youth in Transition, Child Welfare, and Alternative Care.
(Nog-dah-wen-mawg) (Bin-ooh-zhee-yug)
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services is a multi-service Indigenous Child Well-Being Agency. We provide a stable foundation for children, youth, and families, through wraparound services that are culturally based and family-focused.
We seek to support our families in the way they deserve, with care and authenticity, and by recognizing and respecting spirit.
We form a wholistic, inclusive, and nonjudgmental circle of care. We seek to honour and support those we serve, with a constant commitment to growing our base of knowledge and expertise.
We are an agency that delivers culturally-intelligent services to our partner First Nation communities in Ontario. With our team of dedicated staff, we work with children, youth, and families as early as possible to help them navigate various obstacles and access services available to them. We offer services such as Child & Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Youth Justice, Youth in Transition, Child Welfare, and Alternative Care.