Criteria: Mentor, mentee and case

Mentors

• In good standing with the LSO
• Member in good standing with the courts or administrative panels in front of whom they appear
• No history of discipline or substantiated complaints by LSO or LAO
• Experience and expertise in the particular area of law at issue
• A history of mentoring junior counsel or leading continuing legal education opportunities in their legal area of expertise
• Active member approved to provide LAO services with a consistent case load, a well-developed legal aid practice, good administrative history with LAO, and a reputation for high quality services
• While authorization to provide specialized services such as those for Extremely Serious Matters, Complex Case Rates and Gladue matters are relevant, they may not be the determining factor in an additional second chair authorization
• Women and members of other minority groups may receive special consideration

Mentees

• In good standing with the LSO
• Member in good standing with the courts or administrative panels in front of whom they appear
• Potential for addressing problems underlying a history of disciplinary problems or substantiated complaints by LSO or LAO
• Commitment to a particular area of law, and to a legal aid practice in general
• Lack of mentoring opportunities in their employment, such as working for a firm that does not have more experienced counsel  
• Conditionally admitted to a provide LAO services and in the process of seeking permanent admission  
• Women and members of other minority groups may receive particular consideration

Case criteria for second chair opportunities

Cases suitable for the Second Chair program should include features that would allow a mentee to learn and develop, through “hands-on experience,” the skills necessary to act as counsel on such cases in the future. Such features include:

• legal issues currently underserviced by legal aid (such as child protection law)
• issues relevant to particular vulnerable client groups (such as Aboriginal clients and clients with mental health issues)
• the number and kind of required pre-trial motions
• novel legal questions
• complicated factual scenario(s)
• the need to handle expert evidence
• heightened need for strategic judgment
• opportunities for meaningful cross-examination
• Involvement of a high-needs client with mental health issues
• high profile elements
• large amount of material for review to prepare for a proceeding
• an appeal or judicial review of a judgment

The above list does not preclude, in appropriate circumstances, authorizations for short trials through the program, or hearings not overly complex or challenging that would provide the mentee with a valuable learning experience.

For more information:

LAO second chair program to allow in‑firm mentorships for equity-seeking mentees and mentor matching