CharityVillage

Migrant Workers Centre (MWC) is seeking a temporary Staff Lawyer position to cover for an extended leave lasting up to three months. The Staff Lawyer will provide summary legal advice, and provide full representation to migrant workers.

About MWC

Migrant Workers Centre (MWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting access to justice for migrant workers by providing legal services, education, advocacy, and policy reform. We work to support the rights and wellbeing of migrant workers through trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches.

Context for the role

The purpose of this role is to provide summary legal advice and full representation to migrant workers, as well as advocate for policy and legal reform on migrant workers’ behalf.

The Staff Lawyer will report to the Legal Director and will work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes other Staff Lawyers, Intake Managers, and a Legal Secretary.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal information, advice, and full representation, with a particular focus on immigration law and employment law (including civil, employment standards, human rights, and WorkSafeBC);
• Deliver presentations on key legal concepts and protections to Migrant Workers and the organizations that serve them;
• Collaborate with the rest of the MWC Legal Services team to provide other services to Migrant Workers, such as referrals to other services in the community, as appropriate; and
• Provide activity reports and statistical information for the purposes of reporting to the funder.

Qualifications

• Current member or eligible for membership of the Law Society of British Columbia
• At least three years of experience practicing immigration and/or employment law
• Understanding of the issues and barriers faced by Migrant Workers in regards to the legal system
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to a variety of audiences
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Cultural awareness and ability to work with newcomers from various cultural communities
• Experience conducting test case litigation
• Experience working in the non-profit sector or in a legal clinic setting is an asset
• Ability to speak additional languages, especially Spanish, Punjabi, Vietnamese, or Tagalog, is a strong asset.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is between $40 to $51 per hour plus pay in lieu of benefits, commensurate with skills and experience. The position guarantees 35 hours of work per week for a period of up to three months beginning in July 2025. Although we will also consider applications from people wishing to work part-time – our preference is for full-time work.

MWC also provides:

• Pay in lieu of extended health benefits
• Flexible working arrangements.
• A compassionate and flexible Wellness Leave policy.

To Apply

We aim to fill this position as soon as possible. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.