SENIOR SOLICITOR - CARE PROTECTION & FAMILY LAW TEAM

Full-time, permanent role | Flexible location - can be based in Sydney or Lismore

ABOUT THE ALS

Born out of a protest movement, the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited is the primary legal service for Aboriginal people in NSW and the ACT. Our vision is to achieve social justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

We offer a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment. 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. Staff can choose to take advantage of benefits including salary packaging to maximise take-home pay.

The Care & Protection/Family Law practice is a holistic service providing legal representation, advice, casework assistance and referrals to Aboriginal families impacted or affected by family violence and contact with the child protection system. The practice also seeks to provide early support around intervention and community education around alternative pathways to ensure children are not removed from families and communities. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

In this role you will deliver of culturally appropriate legal advice, and representation to clients in accordance with the ALS policies, procedures and guidelines in Care & Protection/Family Law including early intervention and outreach services, community legal education and referrals.

You will work autonomously, seeking the advice and support of the supervising Principal Legal Officer, or their delegate as required and consulting with senior colleagues before determining applications for merit in complex matters.

The position requires a great deal of dedication; a very high level of professionalism and legal acumen; a prodigious aptitude for attention to detail; and a capacity and willingness to function as both a supervisor/mentor and advocate simultaneously, whilst serving Aboriginal clients.

ABOUT YOU

This is an important, senior legal position with the ALS. This position requires a hands-on, practical, and flexible approach to problem solving, and excellent communication, negotiation, facilitation and organisational skills and the ability to act autonomously and within a team environment.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Communicating with, taking instructions from, and effectively representing Aboriginal clients who may present as distressed, when the legal concepts involved are complex and difficult for the client to understand
• Providing considered, independent, balanced, and professional legal advice
• Demonstrating continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with clients, their families, communities, and staff; as an employee of the ALS, continue to learn about the customs and history of local Aboriginal people
• Working with the supervising solicitor to provide leadership to the team, this may include assisting with management duties
• Mentoring and guiding junior solicitors regarding law, procedure, and the Communicating with, taking instructions from, and effectively representing Aboriginal clients who may present as distressed, when the legal concepts involved are complex and difficult for the client to understand
• operations of the ALS
• Supporting other solicitors by acting as a source of specialist advice
• Assisting in arranging or providing continuing legal education for more junior solicitors
• Researching, preparing, and providing representation for Aboriginal clients in complex legal matters and prepare briefs for counsel and attend to instructing counsel
• Maintaining and enhancing professional competence, keeping abreast of legal developments, changes in ALS policies, systems, guidelines, practices, and community needs
• Effectively balancing the requirements of managing and allocating a busy caseload
• Maintaining all files in an orderly and professional manner, including the recording of all data for statistical purposes
• Effectively utilising systems and technology which have a significant impact on the legal practice, including adapting to new, and enhancing the use of current, systems and technology
• Ensuring good time management skills, updating diaries and schedules as required; coordinating diary and court schedules to maintain an efficient and effective legal practice
• Working as a collaborative team member with staff across all teams to achieve effective coordination in your office, guiding and supporting team members (including legal and non-legal staff)
• Liaising with external stakeholders, developing, and maintaining interagency relationships covering legal and law enforcement related jurisdictions

Benefits of working at the ALS

The basics include tax-free salary packaging, a 35-hour working week, study and special leave benefits, and career pathways to senior roles within the ALS and 24/7 access to a specialist Employee Assistance Program. But it's more than the basics:

• The ALS employs interesting people with a passion for justice...
• We can offer unique career growth opportunities…
• We offer the opportunity to bring justice and equity to our communities.

How to apply

Please CLICK HERE for a copy of the ALS Application package for this role. Please submit your application to Mary Day (Regional Administration Coordinator) at [email protected] 

Only candidates with completed application packages will be considered. 

Applications for this position close at 5 pm on Monday 29 August 2022.