Moree | Full-time | Permanent, or Fixed term career development opportunity
The Aboriginal Legal Service is offering an exciting opportunity to grow your Criminal Law skills and escalate your professional experience in an exciting regional NSW location. This role offers a pathway and mentoring towards your legal career goals.
Enjoy coming to work each day with a purpose-driven organisation that makes a real difference.
This role would suit a recent graduate up to an Intermediate (2+ years experience) Solicitor with a NSW Practicing Certificate and some experience in Criminal Law.
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.
About the role
This permanent role is offered at a Graduate level, up to an Intermediate level.
At a Graduate level, the primary responsibility of the Solicitor, Criminal Law Practice is to undertake Criminal Appearance work as directed, covering matters within Local Courts, Children’s Courts, District Court and/or Court Circuit (requiring travel).
The Criminal Appearance work will involve undertaking specific activities i ncluding: List Work, Sentence Matters, Bail Applications and Defended Hearings; research, prepare and provide representation for Aboriginal clients in criminal matters and prepare briefs for counsel and attend to instructing counsel.
At an Intermediate level (for suitably experienced candidates) manage the Committals Practice by taking direct carriage of at least 50% of the committal matters arising and allocating the remainder to the solicitor(s). Manage the District Court (Short Matters) Practice by allocating all District Court short matters and taking carriage of, and appearing in the majority of short matters, especially sentence matters. Prepare and run complex Local Court (‘LC’) and Children’s Court (‘CC’) hearings and sentence matters and oversee the management of the LC/CC Practice.
Your skills and experience
- 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
- 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
- Excellent written and oral communication skills combined with strong time management, legal research, analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to meet deadlines, work autonomously and manage a diverse
- A minimum of 6 months experience working in Criminal Law (minimum 2 years for Intermediate level).
- Experience conducting Local Courts, Children’s Courts, District Court and/or Court Circuit (requiring travel). Intermediate level: Proven capacity to provide a strong advocacy role in leading the District Court and Committal Practices, along with the LC/CC practice.
- Intermediate level: Demonstrated management, supervisory and mentoring skills of a multidisciplinary team of staff.
- Willingness to drive or fly lengthy distances within the Region and stay overnight or longer to undertake court work or training.
How to apply
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Please submit the completed application package to Curtis Penning, Acting Deputy Principal Solicitor (Western region) at curtis.penning@alsnswact.org.au
- If you have any enquiries or would like to discuss the role, please contact Ann Pitkeathly, Recruitment Manager at [email protected]
Applications for this position close on Wednesday 9 November.
