Position Title: Lawyer – Community Legal Empowerment Project (CLEP)
Organization: Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW)
Location: Greater Toronto Area (Remote work with occasional travel across Ontario)
Employment Type: Full-time, Contract (2 years)
Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000/yr
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is a national, charitable organization dedicated to the equality, equity, and empowerment of Muslim women in Canada. Since 1982, CCMW has been promoting the identity of Muslim women in the Canadian context through advocacy, education, and research.
The Community Legal Empowerment Project (CLEP) is CCMW's initiative to improve access to justice for Muslim women in Ontario. This program offers direct legal advice and representation in family law, legal workshops, and accessible educational resources tailored to the unique needs of Muslim women.
CCMW is seeking a culturally competent, full-time Lawyer to join CLEP. This individual will provide legal services to Muslim women, particularly in family law and Muslim victims and survivors of gender-based violence, and play a critical role in improving legal literacy and access to justice for vulnerable communities.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with CCMW’s team, the lawyer will:
- Provide culturally safe legal advice and representation in family law cases.
- Assist clients in navigating between Muslim family laws and Canadian legal systems.
- Offer wrap-around services by coordinating with counsellors, interpreters, and case managers.
- Review and update existing legal publications, including Reading Rights: A Woman’s Guide to the Law in Canada and the Muslim Women’s Family Law & Legal Rights booklet series.
- Ensure materials are digitized, user-friendly, and available in multiple languages.
- Conduct legal literacy workshops on family law, employment rights, and immigration law.
- Train community leaders and volunteers to sustain community-led legal education efforts.
- Advocate for legal reform and provide submissions on policies impacting Muslim women’s equality rights.
- Maintain accurate client records and collect data for reporting purposes.
- Contribute to program evaluation by tracking outcomes and identifying areas for improvement.
Skills and Qualifications
- LL.B./J.D. from an accredited law school and membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
- Minimum 3 years of experience in family law, with a preference for work involving vulnerable or marginalized groups, particularly victims and survivors of gender-based violence.
- Experience working with Muslim women and familiarity with diverse Muslim communities.
- Knowledge of Muslim family laws and their interaction with Canadian legal systems.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage with clients sensitively.
- In addition to English, proficiency in French and Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Bangla, and/or Pashto would be an asset.
- Strong legal research and writing skills. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
Position Type
Contract Position for 40 hours per week based in the Greater Toronto Area.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit their cover letter and CV to info@ccmw.com by 5:00 PM, January 17, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
CCMW is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups.
Visit www.ccmw.com for more information about the Canadian Council of Muslim Women.