Position Overview
The Dean's Office in the Faculty of Law invites applications for an Articling Law Student. This Part-time (28 hours per week) Fixed Term position is for approximately 5 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The Public Interest Law Clinic (PILC) operates out of the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Its mission is to advocate effectively for systemic change that values and advances the well-being of the public and the environment. The articling student will provide pro bono legal service to clients of PILC's Consumer Debt Negotiation Project (CDNP) who are struggling with debt and facing foreclosure. The articling student may encounter clients who are under stress and will have access to training on handling difficult client situations. It is compatible with Law Society of Alberta parameters for composite articles under the principalship of a senior PILC volunteer. The position reports to Executive Director of PILC. While the position focuses on service within the CDNP, the articling student may contribute to active file work on environmental, administrative, and Charter matters carried by PILC's lawyers beyond the CDNP when time and experiential learning opportunities allow. The position will not require travel. The position may involve opportunities for in-person work with staff and law students, but functions and duties will take place remotely whenever appropriate due to Covid-19.
Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Manage client files in the Consumer Debt Negotiation Project
Provide legal research and support to the clinic staff and volunteer lawyers
Draft clear and concise legal memos, documents and correspondence
Draft administrative documents as required for the operation of and reporting by the clinic
Attend meetings with the Executive Director, clinic lawyers and volunteers
Manage correspondence with clinic volunteers and legal organization partners and allies
Develop knowledge and expertise in debtor/creditor and foreclosure law
Contribute to additional public interest law files and projects
Remain current in the law by reading new legal developments and attending seminars
Conduct administrative, clinic support, reception and other duties as assigned
Conduct initial online assessment intakes of potential CDNP clients following established guidelines
Recommend based on the intake information whether to refer a client lead out of the clinic or advance to the next step of the intake process
Develop knowledge and expertise of relevant legal referral resources in Alberta
Maintain a functional home office with suitable computer and reliable internet access
Attend hours generally between 8:30 and 16:30 Monday to Thursday, with some flexibility and potential for extra work at peak times
Qualifications / Requirements:
Ability to work independently with moderate supervision
Ability to explain difficult or sensitive information to clients
Compassion and sensitivity for marginalized clients and their unique needs
Excellent legal, risk analysis, and complex problem-solving skills
Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office applications, and facility with learning new applications
A consensus-building, pragmatic and collaborative approach
The ideal candidate will be ethical, professional, very articulate (both written and verbal), exercise good judgment, and have a strong solution-oriented approach to their work
Academic or work-related prior legal clinic or non-profit experience is an asset
Application Deadline: March 1, 2021
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
Additional Information
This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level CA of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website . For more information about the Faculty of Law visit Careers in the Faculty of Law .
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca .
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High , committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.