Supervising Lawyer (Prison Law), Downtown Legal Services - TERM

Date Posted: 11/13/2025
Req ID: 46009
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Law
Department: Faculty of Law
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

About Us:

The Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law is one of the oldest professional faculties at the University of Toronto. Today, it is one of the world's great law schools. Jackman Law's rich academic programs are complemented by its many legal clinics and public interest programs. Jackman Law is housed in the elegant, state-of-the-art Jackman Law Building, alongside two historic buildings, Flavelle House and Falconer Hall, on the St. George Campus in downtown Toronto.

Description:

Working under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Supervising Lawyer (Prison Law) is responsible for the delivery of legal services in the area of prison law at Downtown Legal Services (DLS), the student legal aid service society (SLASS) clinic at the University of Toronto's Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law. Together with the Executive Director (ED), the Supervising Lawyer (SL) is responsible for the supervision, management and evaluation of law students working in the clinic as volunteers, for academic credit, and as summer employees. The SL is responsible for providing ongoing clinic education to students working within the area of prison law on relevant substantive law and procedural law. The SL contributes to the clinic's related training on advocacy skills, file management, legal research, professional responsibility and legal ethics, client counseling, etc. The SL supports the work of the clinic in community outreach, advocacy projects and public legal education initiatives related to prison law. The SL is also expected to contribute to and provide input on clinic operations, administrative matters and policies, and to provide information, as required, on the scope of clinic activities within the SL's areas of responsibility.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Undergraduate degree and law degree (LL.B or J.D. Degree). LL.M or a graduate degree in a related area of study is a strong asset. Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. Training in anti-racism and anti-oppression practices.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum 5 years of experience practicing prison law, corrections law, or criminal justice litigation. Experience with training and/or supervising, or mentoring law students or junior lawyers. Significant prior experience working with highly vulnerable communities. Demonstrated experience working with incarcerated and vulnerable populations. Experience working in social justice and/or a public interest setting, and engaging in community outreach activities. Prior supervisory and/or management experience is an asset.

SKILLS: Demonstrated legal expertise; superior written and oral communication and advocacy skills; exceptional interpersonal skills; highly effective problem solving skills; sound reasoning and decision-making skills; effective project management skills; exceptional analytical, organizational and time management skills; and good computer proficiency (i.e., MS Office and legal research software, and email).

OTHER: Ability to appreciate and balance DLS's dual mandate of client service and student education; familiarity with clinical legal education pedagogy and practice; ability to work under stress and meet deadlines; ability to manage conflicting priorities and deadlines; ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters
with discretion and professionalism; and demonstrated adaptability and creativity.

Closing Date: 12/01/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea:PM
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 3 -- Hiring Zone: $93,592 - $109,190 -- Broadband Salary Range: $93,592 - $155,985
Job Category: Legal

Note: This posting is for a two-year term beginning January 2026