Acting Deputy Principal Solicitor - Fixed Term

Western Region based in Dubbo

About the ALS

The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS) is a proud Aboriginal community-controlled organisation. As Australia’s first community legal service provider, we’ve been fighting for justice and equity for over 50 years. 

We provide free advice and representation in criminal law, children’s care and protection law, and family law for tens of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every year. We also run community programs to improve the lives of our people. We are well recognised for our work at the forefront of law reform and community advocacy.

Benefits of working with us

We offer a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment, where you can develop and grow. We’re passionate about what we do, and we work hard.

The ALS values the health and wellbeing of our employees, and we are proud to offer flexible work practices and additional leave entitlements. 

Staff can choose to take advantage of benefits including salary packaging to maximise take-home pay.

About the role

Responsible for the operational management of staff and resources within the regional area, or other regions as changed from time-to-time. 

Ensure the provision of high-quality legal advice, information, and representation to Aboriginal clients in criminal matters, in accordance with the ALS policies, procedures, guidelines and any relevant legislation or professional guidelines.

Demonstrate continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with clients, their families, communities, directors, and staff. Continuing to learn about the customs and history of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Perform responsibilities to a high standard within agreed timelines and in line with ALS vision, mission, and values.  Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Legal practices and services

• Providing, and ensuring the provision of, high quality and culturally appropriate legal advice and representation to Aboriginal clients and assisting them in resolving their legal problems and undertaking Court responsibilities

• Overseeing the representation of Aboriginal clients before the criminal justice system in the Local, Children’s, District and Supreme Courts, and other courts or tribunals
• Overseeing the allocation of work and management of workloads, including the briefing and assignment of work to external legal representatives, reviewing of diary and court schedules to maintain an efficient and effective criminal law practice
• Leading, managing, and ensuring the management of, the performance and professional training requirements of staff within the Criminal Law Practice
• Leading and overseeing the provision of the ALS Criminal Law Practice services
• Providing considered, independent, balanced, and professional criminal law advice to ALS Crime Practice staff and clients
• Actively recruiting and encouraging the mentoring and professional development of Aboriginal employees in all legal practice areas
• Maintaining comprehensive and contemporary knowledge of relevant legal developments and sharing such knowledge with ALS staff
• Participating in the development and analysis of legal reform and policy/submission development

 Strategic and operational leadership and management

• Ensuring the lawful achievement of ALS core business objectives to the highest standards of probity and efficiency, and with due reference to the interests of all stakeholders
• Interacting with third party stakeholders and/or their legal representatives and taking a lead role in representing and presenting the ALS position
• In conjunction with the Principal Solicitor and Principal Legal Officer, represent the ALS before Federal, State and Local jurisdictions/agencies, forums, conferences, seminars, and committees
• Assisting in the development and review of ALS related Criminal Law policies, procedures, and guidelines
• Working together with Senior Management and other Senior Legal practitioners in the provision of business’s overall legal services delivery

Advising and representing the ALS

• Assisting the Principal Solicitor Criminal Law Practice and Principal Legal Officer in determining legal practice options and recommendations for the ALS.

Other

• Travelling to regional and interstate locations for work purposes. An inherent requirement of the job is the ability to independently travel to regional locations by car for work purposes, therefore a current driver’s licence is required (the ALS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider reasonable adjustments where an employee cannot meet this requirement due to a disability or their age)

What you’ll bring to the role

To be successful in this position you will need to demonstrate

• Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices when considering service delivery and other support for clients, their families, communities, and staff
• Admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of New South Wales with an unrestricted practising certificate combined with up to 5 years of demonstrated experience in the application of the criminal law or other relevant area of law
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in legal representation for Aboriginal clients in criminal matters and capacity to brief and instruct Counsel
• Demonstrated management and supervision skills within a legal practice service and delivery environment
• High-level knowledge and understanding of relevant criminal law legislation, case law and court proceedings to effectively represent and advocate for Aboriginal clients
• Proven interpersonal, influencing, communication, negotiation and people management skills and excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines, work without supervision and manage a diverse workload, together with high level conceptual, analytical and research skills
• Proven word processing and computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite and Video Conferencing software
• Demonstrated commitment to the effective implementation of Workplace Health & Safety and Ethical and Diversity practices in the workplace
• A willingness and ability to travel to regional, metropolitan, and interstate locations for work purposes

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in a not-for-profit community organisation

How to apply

Please CLICK HERE to download the application package for this position. Please submit the completed application package to Keisha Hopgood (Acting Principal Solicitor) at [email protected]

Applications for this position close at midnight, Friday 19 August 2022