For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our academic plan

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada.

In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our next chapter.

The team

The Lincoln Alexander School of Law is a different kind of law school designed to create a different kind of lawyer - one who is equipped with the contemporary skills and legal experience required to respond to the evolving challenges in our society. We seek to become a model for legal education that drives the legal profession to become more equitable, accessible, and technologically advanced.

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic, and equity-oriented lawyer to join the Lincoln Alexander School of Law as a Staff Lawyer in the law school’s Legal Clinic. The ideal candidate will have either some familiarity with or openness to learning the skills necessary to work within a legal clinic culture that incorporates a healing justice lens, inclusive of movement and community lawyering, decolonial and anti-racist ways of thinking and working, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed lawyering, and abolitionist and transformative justice frameworks.

This is a unique and rare opportunity to be part of the early stages of building a student legal clinic program, as part of a team that is deeply committed to equity. Working alongside the other members of the Legal Clinic team, the Staff Lawyer will play an essential role in shaping the culture, practices, and substantive legal focus of the law school’s student legal clinic, and in forming relationships with communities and partner organizations.

The Staff Lawyer will provide comprehensive and holistic supervision and mentoring to students in legal clinic / legal aid related areas of law with a focus on housing law and supervision likely including some other areas, such as record suspensions and social assistance, based on the areas of experience and expertise of the staff lawyer and the needs of the communities served by the legal clinic; will participate in the implementation, refinement, and expansion of the law school’s student legal clinic model; and will work collaboratively with local organizations on community development, law reform, and public legal education initiatives. The Staff Lawyer will infuse all aspects of their work with an equity-oriented, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed approach to student supervision, community and client interaction, and legal practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supervision of Students on Advice, Representation, Community Facing Projects, Public Legal Education, and Law Reform Activities of Legal Clinic Programs: Supervises students on the day-to-day activities of the student legal clinic, which may include provision of legal advice, case file representation, community facing projects, public legal education, and law reform activities. Provides regular consultation and mentoring to students, ensuring accurate legal advice is given with a client-centered, holistic, and empathetic approach.
• Legal Clinic Model Implementation: Assists the Legal Clinic team with the continued development of its student legal clinic model. This may include conducting research on legal clinic models and legal needs within relevant communities; assisting with development and refinement of legal clinic policies, procedures, and systems; developing student engagement, recruitment, and training strategies and processes; and assisting with the refinement and delivery of an academic legal clinic seminar.
• Special Projects Management: Undertakes short-term special projects or assignments as requested by the Director, Legal Clinic Programs, which may include conducting research and building community relationships and partnerships for prospective project collaborations; preparing and delivering public legal education for diverse equity-seeking communities; leading and/or participating in special events relating to Legal Clinic Programs or hosted by the law school; preparing content and communication materials relating to Legal Clinic Programs; and providing administrative and operational support as required.

Qualifications

To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), or equivalent law degree
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant legal experience after call to the bar, ideally with experience working in a legal clinic or a social justice related legal workplace
• Knowledge of / working experience in areas of legal clinic law, with knowledge required in housing law, and other areas of legal clinic law being an asset (for example, some of social assistance, criminal, human rights and immigration/refugee law)
• Understanding of legal and socioeconomic issues and barriers that equity-seeking communities in Toronto and Ontario face, and commitment to equitable outcomes and social justice in relation to same
• High level of comfort with technology and ability to learn new technologies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills
• High level of attention to detail and strong analytical skills
• Ability to work effectively with students and to interact with students from diverse backgrounds and circumstances in a sensitive and equity-oriented manner
• Ability to build relationships of trust with external and internal partners and stakeholders

• Ability to work in a team towards broader common goals and to support colleagues and students in their work and goals

Leaders at TMU are required to demonstrate the following Leadership Competencies:

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.

• Equivalent experience or a combination of equivalent experience and education may be accepted in place of education.
• As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.
• Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.