INTERMEDIATE SOLICITOR - CARE PROTECTION & FAMILY
FIXED TERM TO JUNE 2023
BASED IN NEWCASTLE
WHO ARE WE?
The (ALS) is a public company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.
The ALS aims to provide culturally appropriate information and referral, legal advice and court representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children in NSW and ACT.
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 Care & Protection/Family Law 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.
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
- Supporting other solicitors by acting as a source of specialist advice
- 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
ABOUT YOU
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.
- Legal qualifications and a current NSW Practising Certificate (or be able to obtain one immediately).
- Ideally a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in Domestic Violence, Care & Protection and/or Family Law matters.
- Experience conducting matters in Local Courts, Children’s Courts, Family Court, District Court, Supreme Court and/or Circuit Court (requiring travel).
- Understanding of the dynamics of family and domestic violence and its effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
- Proven capacity to identify and understand legal issues facing socially and economically disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills combined with strong time management, legal research, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent analytical and research skills.
How to apply
Please CLICK HERE to obtain a copy of the ALS application package for this role. Submit your application to Mary Day (Regional Administration Coordinator) at E: [email protected] Only candidates with completed application packages will be considered. Applications for this position close at 5 pm on Monday 4 July 2022.
