Paralegal Part time - Newcastle

Care & Protection/Family Law Practice  

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 

The primary responsibility of the Paralegal, Care & Protection/Family Law Practice is to assist in the delivery of high-quality legal support services to Aboriginal clients.  

The position holder will be responsible to: maintain the court attendance board/roster on a daily basis; organisation of client files for the next week’s court dates; input of statistical data into CMS database and liaise with professionals, including Police, Public Defenders, Solicitors, Court Staff, Corrective Services, other staff members and stakeholders 

Key responsibilities and accountabilities 

• Providing and coordinating a high level of complex paralegal support for solicitors in Care and Protection / Family Law Litigation
• Liaising with solicitors and staff within the Practice to assist in the allocation of work and management of individual caseloads, including attending to tasks allocated via email referral system. 
• Assist solicitors at Court in appropriate cases, including note taking. 
• Obtain supporting documentation and draft documents required by solicitors for the preparation of hearings in accordance with minimum practice standards. Assist in gathering supporting documentation from and completing file reviews for non-litigation clients, as required;
• Assist in researching matters of law or undertaking case reviews for solicitors, as required. 
• Assist in client interviews, and drafting of Affidavit and other court documents, as and where required. 
• Prepare statistical reports relating to solicitor’s work and maintain records. 
• Providing word processing support for correspondence, preparation of briefs of evidence, subpoenas, affidavits, court reports and other documents (using Microsoft Office Suite) 
• Demonstrating continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in servicing clients, their families, communities, directors and staff. Continuing to learn about the customs and history of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

What you’ll bring to the role 

• Formal paralegal qualifications, or currently undertaking a Law Degree.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in the care and protection system. 
  • In depth knowledge of support and referral services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients involved in the Care and Protection system. 
• Ability to prepare and deliver Community Legal Education.
• Ability to liaise effectively with government and non-government organisations. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated with ability to work with minimal supervision. 
• Microsoft Suite computer skills.
• Current NSW/ACT driver’s license. 
• Good working knowledge of technology, such as Microsoft Office and databases.
• Demonstrable personal drive, integrity, and capacity to work in a team
• Understanding and commitment to the effective implementation of Workplace Health & Safety and Equal Employment Opportunity practices. 
• A willingness and ability to travel to regional, metropolitan, and interstate locations for work purposes. 

How to apply 

Please CLICK HERE to download the application package for this position. Please submit the completed application package to Mary Day, Regional Administration Coordinator.  Email [email protected]  or phone 02 8836 3444. 

Applications for this position close at midnight, Wednesday 23 March 2022