Flexible Location across Western NSW  | Full-time | Fixed-term (12-month contract)

Primary purpose of the role

The primary responsibility of the Senior Solicitor, Criminal Law Practice is to: 

• Provide high quality legal advice and representation to clients and to assist them to resolve their legal problems 
• Provide criminal law relief assistance to ALS offices as required  
• Provide high quality appearances and act as advocate in: List work; Short matters; Defended Hearings; Committal Proceedings; District Court Appeals and Sentences; District Court Trials (instructing counsel and appearing as an advocate in consultation with supervisors) and Coronial Inquests 

• Prepare and research representation of Aboriginal clients in criminal matters and prepare briefs for counsel and attend to instructing counsel as directed 

Why Join the ALS NSW/ACT team?

At Aboriginal Legal Services NSW/ACT you will make an impactful change. You have the chance to change lives and bring social justice and equity for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

Our focus is our people; the people we support, and the team we employ. We offer a career you can be proud of and a place where you feel safe to be yourself. We invest in our workforce and appreciate the rich diversity they represent of life experience, languages, and culture. Born out of a protest movement over 50 years ago, the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited is the primary legal service for Aboriginal people in NSW and the ACT. It’s an exciting time for the ALS, with both our services and teams growing significantly. We recently received additional government funding to deliver a range of new programs aimed at addressing systemic issues and driving structural reforms. This is creating unprecedented opportunities for the ALS and our communities. For many of our staff making a real difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities and working with a great, supportive team is its own reward. We appreciate that, but we want our team to know that we value them so offer benefits such as:

•  Salary packaging options and novated car leasing
•  Annual Leave Loading of 17.5%
•  Career and professional development opportunities
•  Access to personal counselling for you and your family
•  A range of additional paid leave, paid parental and study leave
•  Flexible work options – talk to us about how we can make this role work for you

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 in dealing with clients, their families, communities and staff 
• Legal qualifications and a NSW Practising Certificate with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in Criminal Law 
• In-depth knowledge, understanding and of the Criminal Law, including practice and procedure 
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote and regional ALS offices to provide criminal law relief services when required, including the ability to be based out of these locations for a number of weeks   

How to apply 

1. Download the position description here
2. Please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected] 

Applications for this position close on Friday, 24th November 2023