Legal Aid Saskatchewan (LAS) is recruiting three (3) full-time, permanent Managers – Major Cases & Conflicts to join our organization in the following regions: Central, Northern and Southern. These leadership roles offer a unique opportunity to combine high-level criminal litigation, people leadership, and mentorship within an access-to-justice organization. Reporting to the Director, Private Bar Services, each Manager will oversee Major Cases & Conflicts operations while maintaining an active practice involving the most serious, complex, and high-jeopardy criminal matters across Saskatchewan.
To be considered for this position, all applicants must complete and submit with their application package, the Lawyer Major Case Qualifications Assessment (attached).
Why work for us?
At LAS, we are committed to ensuring access to justice for all, and we believe in the power of advocacy to change lives. Joining our team means being part of a province-wide organization that values compassion, collaboration, courage and commitment.
Our competitive salary for these positions is in the range of $145,829.39 - $203,233.84 based on years of relevant experience and Call to Bar years, plus a 6% stipend. In addition to salary, our generous and comprehensive benefit package includes employer’s paid extended health & dental family coverage; paid sick time; three weeks of paid vacation at the start, plus scheduled or earned days off (12 SDOs or 26 EDOs per year for support staff and 12 SDOs per year for lawyers); 14 Statutory holidays; pension match 6.35%; relocation assistance if applicable and more. For more information visit: legalaid.sk.ca/about/careers/
Responsibilities
Leadership & Operations
- Evaluates, triages, and assigns all major cases and conflict matters that arrive in the office.
- Oversees the work of the staff lawyer(s) and administrative professionals on the team.
- Mentors staff lawyers on team and in designated offices to build expertise in major cases.
- Establishes and communicates clear work standards and expectations.
- Conducts all performance management and discipline activities.
- Advises local directors and senior leadership in the development of major case practice.
- Oversees the collection and analysis of case data and timekeeping for major case team.
- Models modern case management practices especially around digital practice and ability to work across multiple locations.
- Manages the provision of and provides Brydges advice to in-custody clients detained in relation to major case offences.
Major Case Criminal Practice
- Carry a complex criminal caseload including major cases, conflicts, and appeals
- Provide criminal defence services at all levels of court, including Provincial Court, King’s Bench, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada
- Appear across multiple geographic locations, including remote court points
- Develop innovative defence strategies in complex and novel areas of criminal law
- Conduct client meetings and provide clear, timely, and professional legal advice
- Perform advanced legal research and draft high-quality legal documents
- Contribute to law reform initiatives and criminal law education
- Maintain fully electronic files and model excellence in digital legal practice
Position Requirements
- LL.B. or J.D. from a recognized university
- Member in good standing with the Law Society of Saskatchewan
- Minimum 7 years of criminal litigation experience, including major cases
- Strong courtroom advocacy at all levels of court
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage people, workloads, and complex files
- Proficiency with legal research tools, MS Office, and digital practice management
- Valid Class 5 driver’s license and ability to travel, including remote locations
- Comfort travelling in small/chartered aircraft for circuit court work
- Successful completion of a criminal record check
Assets
- Previous people-management experience
- Experience mentoring junior lawyers or articling students
- Interest in legal education, ethics, and criminal law development
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Leadership: willingness and ability to accept responsibility. Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with coworkers. Showing empathy and care for others. Being compassionate, collaborative, courageous, and committed.
- Dependability and Reliability: dependability to handle duties and assignments; is committed, skilled and responsible.
- Client Service: leads by example and promotes a client centric culture and ensures alignment with best practices and LAS’ expectations.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills: expresses ideas respectfully, concisely, and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
- Leading Self: is aware of personal strengths and weaknesses and their impact on others.
- Cooperation and Attitude with Others: acts with integrity and respect and works together for a common purpose.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
