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 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, STUDENT PLACEMENT & VOLUNTEERING WITH THE BCCLA


LEGAL SECRETARY/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has an opening for a full-time Legal Secretary / Administrative Assistant to work at the BCCLA’s office in downtown Vancouver, B.C.  This is a unique opportunity to work in the non-profit sector with Canada’s leading civil liberties advocacy organization. This is your chance to make a difference!

The BCCLA’s mandate is to preserve, defend, maintain and extend civil liberties and human rights in British Columbia and across Canada. For more information on the BCCLA, visit www.bccla.org

General Responsibilities

Working with the BCCLA’s Director of Litigation, Director of Development and other staff, the qualified person will:

  • Assist in the preparation, proofreading, filing and timely distribution of a variety of legal documents, including memoranda, pleadings, briefs, motions, galley proofs, correspondence and court forms
  • Assist with legal and other research as requested, such as verification of citations and other information sources, Internet searches, off-site libraries, copying abstracts, cases, etc.
  • Maintain a professional and user-friendly office filing system
  • Assist with the development of office systems and procedures
  • Maintain a bring forward system, limitation diary and court calendar
  • Process invoices and requests for reimbursement
  • Schedule meetings and conference calls and prepare meeting materials
  • Donor/member relations: data entry, charitable tax receipt processing, donor inquiries
  • Fax, copy, process mail, order office supplies and other administrative duties as assigned

Qualifications

The qualified candidate will be able to demonstrate:

  • Completion of a recognized Legal Administrative Assistant program or commensurate experience
    in a law office
  • One to two years legal office experience, preferably in a litigation department
  • Knowledge of legal procedures and terminology
  • Knowledge of registry practice, court and tribunal procedures
  • Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet as a search tool, databases)
  • Strong written and oral communication, multi-tasking, prioritization, organizational and time management skills
  • Accuracy, attention to detail and proactive problem-solving talents
  • Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
  • Ability to work well with others, in a collegial and diverse environment

Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include generous health, dental, and life insurance plans, as well as ample vacation and sick leave policies.

Please send resume and cover letter by June 1, 2008 to Sarah Sandusky at sarah@bccla.org or B.C. Civil Liberties Association, 550-1188 West Georgia St, Vancouver BC V6E 4A2.

ARTICLING STUDENT

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is seeking an articling student for September 2009.

About Us
The BCCLA, established in 1963, is Canada’s pre-eminent civil liberties organization. The BCCLA’s mandate is to protect and defend civil liberties and human rights in B.C. and Canada including the values of freedom of speech, association and religion, privacy, equality and due process.

The Association focuses on four core programs: litigation, public education, complainant assistance, and law and policy reform. The BCCLA is a registered charity governed by a diverse Board of Directors. More information about the Association can be found on our website: www.bccla.org.

The Association is seeking an articling student to work in the BCCLA’s four core program areas: litigation, education, law reform and complainant assistance. Under the supervision of the student’s principal, the Executive Director, and working primarily with the Litigation Director, the articling student will assist and conduct litigation in a diverse range of practice areas including constitutional, criminal and administrative law.

The articling student will also undertake legal and policy research, draft legal and policy documents, and engage in advocacy and education on behalf of the BCCLA. The BCCLA employs three lawyers: Murray Mollard, Executive Director, Grace Pastine, Litigation Director and Micheal Vonn, Policy Director.

HOW TO APPLY
For 2009-2010 articling positions, we would like to receive applications by June 30, 2008.
Applications may be submitted by regular mail or by e-mail. Applications must be complete when sent (i.e. resume, transcripts and letters of reference, if you wish, must all be submitted at the same time). If applying by e-mail, please provide all of your documents in a single PDF attachment.

Inquiries and applications should be directed to:

Grace Pastine, Litigation Director
B.C. Civil Liberties Association
550 - 1188 W. Georgia St.
Vancouver, B.C. V6E 4A2

E-mail: articles@bccla.org

CRIMINOLOGY STUDENT

The BCCLA offers a field placement opportunity for criminology students. Students work with BCCLA caseworker, Jesse Lobdell.

LEGAL

Across Canada, lawyers provide pro bono services representing the Association in various courts. Without these services, a great deal of what has been accomplished would never have happened.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer form >>

EVENT
The Association has undertaken the promotion of some large events which have required volunteer support in order to be successful.

RESEARCH
Please complete our volunteer application form and return to the BCCLA.