The Community Legal Assistance Society (“CLAS”) is seeking a full-time defined term Lawyer to September 30, 2025 with a possibility of extension, to join the Stand Informed Legal Advice Services project, funded by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Applicants interested in a part-time role (3 or 4 days/week) are encouraged to apply and should mention their preference in the cover letter.
Located on the unceded territories of the ʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in what is also known as Vancouver, CLAS provides free legal services to disadvantaged people throughout British Columbia through five programs: the Mental Health Law Program, Community Advocate Support Line, Community Law Program, Stand Informed Legal Clinic, and the BC Human Rights Clinic.
Stand Informed Legal Advice Services (SI) provides brief free and confidential legal advice to anyone in British Columbia who has been sexually assaulted. The position provides legal advice and information, referrals to other support, and assists in developing and delivering public legal education throughout BC to promote the legal advice services. CLAS is also piloting providing legal advice on non-consensual sharing of intimate images through Stand Informed in 2024-2025.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Legal Assistance
• Provide legal advice to persons who have experienced sexual assault on their legal options including, but not limited to, criminal, civil, human rights, workers compensation, victims’ compensation, and ancillary issues such as immigration and family law;
• Consultations may be provided by phone, videoconference, or in person with the client’s preference taken into consideration;
• Provide information and referrals to appropriate ancillary services to clients; and
• May assist to provide legal advice to clients who have experienced or been threatened with sharing of intimate images or clients who have experienced workplace sexual harassment subject to the requirements of CLAS.
Public Legal Education and Communications
• Coordinate with the SI team to develop and deliver training and education on sexual assault and related matters for various groups including vulnerable populations, community service providers, Indigenous communities, and others across BC virtually and in-person;
• Act as a resource on sexual assault to lawyers, paralegals, advocates and community services providers throughout BC;
• Maintain and update, in collaboration with project staff, educational resources for lawyers, CLAS staff and the community service providers;
• Assist with development of communications to ensure Stand Informed webpage and social media contains timely information on activities and current issues in the area.
Administration
• Provide accurate time-keeping records, statistical information and activity reports and carry out such further administrative responsibilities as may be required;
• Provide support to the program and program staff in the absence of the Program Supervisor as requested.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Practicing lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia with a minimum of 5 years legal practice experience;
• Good general knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, BC Human Rights Code, Canadian Human Rights Act, Workers Compensation Act, Employment Standards Act, and other statutes that may apply to the work of the program/project;
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills;
• Experience or training in trauma-informed approaches;
• Experience in, or interest in developing and delivering public legal education or lawyer training, knowledge of adult learning theory an advantage;
• Familiarity with video-conferencing technology, e.g., Zoom and MS Teams, and high proficiency with MS Office;
• Awareness and understanding of ongoing and systemic issues affecting vulnerable populations, including gender equality;
• Sensitivity, empathy and an ability to deal with a diverse range of people of different genders and lived experiences in a compassionate and trauma-informed manner;
• Lived experience as an Indigenous, racialized, non-binary, and/or person living with a disability is an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment;
• Language skills other than English are an asset.
COMPENSATION:
Competitive compensation in the social justice community, commensurate with experience and years of call relating to CLAS salary scales. The starting salary range is between $75,195 to $79,785 (5 to 7 years of call), with an additional professional development allowance and payment of mandatory professional dues. CLAS offers medical, dental, and extended health benefits after three months, paid sick days, a generous vacation allowance and bonus days off during the holiday season. CLAS has a hybrid work model comprising working remotely as well as in our Vancouver office.
START DATE:
The preferred start date for this position is November 2024.
APPLICATION DETAILS:
The posting will remain open until a successful candidate is selected. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application promptly.
Please submit applications in PDF format by email to careers@clasbc.net. Cover letter is required.
Should you have any questions regarding this position, please contact us at the email address above. References will be required.
CLAS strives to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. A workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve strengthens our ability to achieve our mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of communities that face discrimination and disadvantage. In order to achieve a representative team, preference may be given to applicants self-identifying as a member of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2SIA+ people, and people from ethnic or cultural minorities. We encourage applicants to self-identify in their application if they feel comfortable doing so.
Located on the unceded territories of the ʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in what is also known as Vancouver, CLAS provides free legal services to disadvantaged people throughout British Columbia through five programs: the Mental Health Law Program, Community Advocate Support Line, Community Law Program, Stand Informed Legal Clinic, and the BC Human Rights Clinic.
Stand Informed Legal Advice Services (SI) provides brief free and confidential legal advice to anyone in British Columbia who has been sexually assaulted. The position provides legal advice and information, referrals to other support, and assists in developing and delivering public legal education throughout BC to promote the legal advice services. CLAS is also piloting providing legal advice on non-consensual sharing of intimate images through Stand Informed in 2024-2025.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Legal Assistance
• Provide legal advice to persons who have experienced sexual assault on their legal options including, but not limited to, criminal, civil, human rights, workers compensation, victims’ compensation, and ancillary issues such as immigration and family law;
• Consultations may be provided by phone, videoconference, or in person with the client’s preference taken into consideration;
• Provide information and referrals to appropriate ancillary services to clients; and
• May assist to provide legal advice to clients who have experienced or been threatened with sharing of intimate images or clients who have experienced workplace sexual harassment subject to the requirements of CLAS.
Public Legal Education and Communications
• Coordinate with the SI team to develop and deliver training and education on sexual assault and related matters for various groups including vulnerable populations, community service providers, Indigenous communities, and others across BC virtually and in-person;
• Act as a resource on sexual assault to lawyers, paralegals, advocates and community services providers throughout BC;
• Maintain and update, in collaboration with project staff, educational resources for lawyers, CLAS staff and the community service providers;
• Assist with development of communications to ensure Stand Informed webpage and social media contains timely information on activities and current issues in the area.
Administration
• Provide accurate time-keeping records, statistical information and activity reports and carry out such further administrative responsibilities as may be required;
• Provide support to the program and program staff in the absence of the Program Supervisor as requested.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Practicing lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia with a minimum of 5 years legal practice experience;
• Good general knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada, BC Human Rights Code, Canadian Human Rights Act, Workers Compensation Act, Employment Standards Act, and other statutes that may apply to the work of the program/project;
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills;
• Experience or training in trauma-informed approaches;
• Experience in, or interest in developing and delivering public legal education or lawyer training, knowledge of adult learning theory an advantage;
• Familiarity with video-conferencing technology, e.g., Zoom and MS Teams, and high proficiency with MS Office;
• Awareness and understanding of ongoing and systemic issues affecting vulnerable populations, including gender equality;
• Sensitivity, empathy and an ability to deal with a diverse range of people of different genders and lived experiences in a compassionate and trauma-informed manner;
• Lived experience as an Indigenous, racialized, non-binary, and/or person living with a disability is an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment;
• Language skills other than English are an asset.
COMPENSATION:
Competitive compensation in the social justice community, commensurate with experience and years of call relating to CLAS salary scales. The starting salary range is between $75,195 to $79,785 (5 to 7 years of call), with an additional professional development allowance and payment of mandatory professional dues. CLAS offers medical, dental, and extended health benefits after three months, paid sick days, a generous vacation allowance and bonus days off during the holiday season. CLAS has a hybrid work model comprising working remotely as well as in our Vancouver office.
START DATE:
The preferred start date for this position is November 2024.
APPLICATION DETAILS:
The posting will remain open until a successful candidate is selected. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application promptly.
Please submit applications in PDF format by email to careers@clasbc.net. Cover letter is required.
Should you have any questions regarding this position, please contact us at the email address above. References will be required.
CLAS strives to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. A workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve strengthens our ability to achieve our mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of communities that face discrimination and disadvantage. In order to achieve a representative team, preference may be given to applicants self-identifying as a member of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2SIA+ people, and people from ethnic or cultural minorities. We encourage applicants to self-identify in their application if they feel comfortable doing so.