INTERMEDIATE SOLICITOR TAMWORTH

(Criminal Law Practice)

12 MONTH FIXED TERM CONTRACT

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

• 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.
• Liaise with external stakeholders (Courts/Director of Public Prosecutions, LANSW, Children’s Court and Department of Juvenile Justice) to ensure the efficient and professional conduct of the committals practice and district court matters, local court and children’s court practice.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining inter-agency relationships covering legal and law enforcement related jurisdictions.

Major Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain stable, productive, professional and collaborative intra-office working relationships between all staff members.
• Assist with the planning and training of junior solicitors commencing work and with their program of Continuing Professional Development.
• Assist in the preparation of District Court short matters allocated to junior solicitors with permission to appear.
• Ensure high quality ‘culturally appropriate’ representation to ALS clients in all committal matters, and at first instance, promptly deal with any complaints by clients and/or family members.
• Maintain a ‘Strictly Indictable Table’, update and release to all office staff on a weekly basis and provide a monthly copy to the Deputy Principal Solicitor.
• Liaise with the Cluster Manager/Managing Solicitor and Deputy Principal Solicitor on any complex committal matters and seek approval to retain Counsel pre-committal. 
• Responsible for the resolution of ethical issues/questions in consultation with solicitor in question (and the management where necessary) and for the resolution of conflict issues/determination.
• Responsible for the appropriate referral of clients to the LA NSW and other private practitioners/firms and briefing Counsel (to appear and advise).
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant criminal law legislation, case law and court procedures.
• Ensure the lawful achievement of ALS core business objectives to the highest standards of probity and efficiency, and with due reference to the interests of all stakeholders.
• Provide considered, independent, balanced and professional criminal law advice.

What you’ll bring to the role

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 in dealing with clients, their families, communities and staff.
• Legal qualifications and an NSW recognised Practicing Certificate with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in Criminal Law.
• In-depth knowledge of the Criminal Law, including practice and procedure.
• Proven capacity to provide a strong advocacy role in leading the District Court and Committal Practices, along with the Local Court/Children’s Court practice.
• Demonstrated management, supervisory and mentoring skills of a multidisciplinary team of staff.
• Capacity to provide high quality legal representation and advice to Aboriginal people and deal with any complaints by clients and/or family members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and time management skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work without supervision and manage a diverse workload.
• Willingness to drive or fly lengthy distances within the Region and stay overnight or longer to undertake court work or training.
• Demonstrated commitment to the effective implementation of Workplace Health and Safety and Ethical and Diversity practices in the workplace.

How to apply

Please CLICK HERE to download a copy of the application package for this position. Please submit the completed application package to Curtis Penning, A/Deputy Principal Solicitor (Regional) at  [email protected]

Applications for this position close at midnight, Monday 23 May 2022