Western NSW | Full-Time | Permanent & Fixed-Term Opportunities
Primary Purpose of the Role
This is an ongoing recruitment to join our Western NSW Talent Pool for Criminal Law Practice to fill vacancies as they arise in ALS offices across western NSW.
The primary responsibility of Solicitor, Criminal Law Practice, is to undertake criminal appearance work as directed, in the Local Court, Children’s Court, District Court and/or circuit courts (requiring travel).
The ALS has offices across western NSW at Bathurst, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Bourke, Walgett, Moree, Armidale, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and Griffith.
Why Join the ALS NSW/ACT?
At the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) you can make an impact. You will join a strong movement fighting for social justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.
Our focus is our people: the people we support and the people we employ. We offer a career you can be proud of and a place where you feel safe to be yourself. We invest in our people and appreciate the rich diversity of lived experiences, languages, and culture.
Born out of a protest movement over 50 years ago, the ALS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW and the ACT. It’s an exciting time to be joining us. We recently received additional funding to deliver a range of new programs aimed at addressing systemic issues and driving structural reforms. This is creating significant opportunities for the ALS, our staff and communities.
As well as the satisfaction of working in a job that really matters, we offer our staff benefits including:
- Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax liability and maximise take-home pay
- Annual leave loading of 17.5%
- Career and professional development opportunities
- Access to personal counselling for you and your family
- Additional paid leave of up to 6 days per year, paid parental and study leave
- Flexible work options – talk to us about how we can make this role work for you
About The Role
The Graduate / Junior Solicitor is part of the Criminal Law Practice.
The Graduate / Junior Solicitor will be responsible for:
- Providing high quality and culturally appropriate legal advice and representation to Aboriginal clients and assisting them in resolving their legal problems and undertaking court responsibilities
- Providing considered, independent, balanced, and professional criminal law advice
- Researching, preparing, and providing representation for Aboriginal clients in criminal law matters and prepare briefs for counsel and attend to instructing counsel
- Effectively balancing the requirements of managing a busy caseload
- Maintaining and enhancing professional competence, keeping abreast of legal developments, changes in ALS policies, systems, guidelines, practices, and community needs
- Communicating with, taking instructions from, and effectively representing Aboriginal clients who may present as distressed, have a physical or intellectual disability, or have problem behaviors such as drug or alcohol addictions, when the legal concepts involved are complex and difficult for the client to understand
About You
We're looking for someone who brings:
Essential
- Legal qualifications and a current NSW Practising Certificate (or be able to obtain one immediately) as well as demonstrated up-to-date knowledge of the Criminal Law, including practice and procedure
- 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
- Proven capacity to identify and understand legal issues facing socially and economically disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples
- A willingness and ability to travel to ALS’s various offices
Desirable
- Current valid unrestricted NSW Drivers licence and a willingness to drive in metropolitan and country locations, travel intrastate and stay overnight or longer.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
ALS is committed to implementing safe recruitment practices. Your application may be subject to pre-employment checks such as reference checks, Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check, Right to work in Australia, COVID-19 vaccinations and National Police History check.
How to Apply
- View position description
- Please submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to [email protected]
- If you have questions about this role, please email [email protected]
