NOVA SCOTIA LEGAL AID COMMISSION
MANAGING LAWYER – SUMMARY ADVICE COUNSEL
Type of Employment: 1-Year Contract (with potential for permanency)
Location: Supreme Court Family Division, 3380 Devonshire Avenue, Halifax
Salary: Staff Lawyer Pay Plan Policy – Based on Relevant Experience and includes Managing Lawyer Compensation
Closing Date: April 23, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Who we are:
Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) delivers legal aid services throughout the Province, providing some level of help to all Nova Scotians with a focus on assisting those who are vulnerable and historically disadvantaged. NSLAC’s focus is in the practice areas of criminal, family, and social justice law.
NSLAC employs staff in 25 offices and 3 sub-offices throughout the Province. Staff Lawyers help thousands of clients every year and spend much of their time in court. They are committed to helping overcome historical barriers to access to justice. Staff Lawyers have litigated many important cases to protect the rights of individuals.
We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens and communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented and equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous Peoples, African Nova Scotians and other racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and women in underrepresented roles. If you are a member of one or more of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your electronic application, cover letter, or resume.
Primary Functions:
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Managing Lawyer of Summary Advice Counsel oversees the delivery of summary legal advice to self-represented litigants. This position is engaged in the promotion of relevant Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission (NSLAC) Strategic/Business Plan objectives through Pilot Programs and Service Projects, committee work, assignments, creation of Policy and Procedure Manuals/Protocols, and management of any other Summary Advice Council issues, as directed by the NSLAC Executive.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversees thirteen (13) sites across Nova Scotia in all of the Family Courts, Supreme Court Family Division, and the Court of Appeal.
- Develops and updates forms as required for completion by stakeholders and ensuring the necessary documentation is properly completed, collected and entered into NSLAC’s Case Management System.
- Coordinates with Court Staff and NSLAC Staff Lawyers to ensure effective delivery of service.
- Completion of semi-annual and annual reports for the Summary Advice Counsel service across Nova Scotia for the NSLAC Executive.
- Sits on various committees and collaborates with interest holders.
- Helps to develop better technology to improve access to legal information/advice and provides online chat for family law matters on a weekly basis.
- Development of pilots to increase the use of summary legal advice in new venues.
- Manages the Summary Advice Counsel lawyer located at the Sydney Justice Centre.
- Provides legal assistance and guidance to self-represented parties involved in Family Law matters presently before the Nova Scotia Supreme Court (Family Division) and to those who may be contemplating legal action.
- Prepares and develops family law self-help guides for self-represented parties and other interest holders.
- Attends individual and group workshop settings to assist in navigation of the Courts and Family Law issues (Do-it-yourself Divorce, Affidavit Preparation, Undue Hardship, Financial Statements, Domestic Violence Issues, Court Processes, Legislative Changes, Staff Orientation/Education, Newcomers Issues, etc.).
- Carries out the functions of running a family law office on a Court site independent from the local Legal Aid office and the Court.
- Manages conflicts of interest and, when necessary, hires outside counsel.
- Provides assistance with legal terminology, interpreting Court orders and other documents, variation of orders, emergency and urgent matters, alternatives to Court, etc.
- Participates in the overall management of NSLAC by providing input to the Executive and the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission.
Ideal Attributes and Skills:
- Excellent resource management skills with experience in effectively and efficiently allocating people and resources to achieve goals.
- Excellent financial management skills, with experience in managing and controlling budgets and expenditures.
- Excellent skills in case management, administering processes, and planning, organizing, and analyzing initiatives and information to achieve goals.
- Excellent problem-solving skills focused on continuous improvement.
- Ability to make sound decisions that balance quality and timeliness with a full appreciation for their impact beyond own area of responsibility.
- Excellent leadership skills with a proven track record for setting clear expectations, providing meaningful coaching and feedback, and creating an environment where employees are motivated and able to do their best.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, negotiation, and change management skills with a proven track record for securing the energy and commitment of others.
- Ability to foster effective working relationships with peers, subordinates and external contacts and to work within a multi-disciplinary team environment.
- Experience in presenting legal information and interpretation to both legal and lay audiences, especially in providing written submissions both within the organization and to external authorities.
- Solid computer skills together with a good understanding of the use of new technologies within a dynamic work environment.
- Management/supervisory experience is an asset.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) Degree.
- Practicing member in good standing of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (and/or any other provincial law society) for a minimum of five years.
- Extensive litigation experience at every level of court from Provincial Court to Supreme Court in both trials and appeals.
If you are talented, conscientious and want to be a member of a team that is highly experienced, very caring, dedicated and committed to their clients, we would like to hear from you.
Please indicate the Position Title and Location and whether you are an internal or external applicant in the email subject line. Please send your resume and cover letter to NSLA-Careers@nslegalaid.ca.
While we appreciate receiving all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be held in strict confidence.
Job Deadline/Expiry Date: 04/23/2026