We have a vacancy in the Walgett Office for a Senior Solicitor/Cluster Manager on a permanent full time basis.

Salary range

• From $84,799 approximately grossed up $93,444 to $90,857 approximately grossed up $99,840
• Tax concession of $15,900 per FBT year (1 April to 30 March)

Location: Walgett Office

Primary objective

The primary responsibility of the Cluster Manager/Managing Solicitor is to support the Deputy Principal Solicitor, Criminal Law Practice with the delivery of legal services within one of the 10 ALS designated staffing cluster location groups (see Organisation Chart for cluster group locations). 

The position holder is responsible for the management of staff and resources within their cluster group, the allocation of work and workloads including the briefing and assignment of work to external legal representatives and the implementation of relevant ALS policies and procedures for those services/functions.

The position holder also supports the Deputy Principal Solicitor in developing and implementing policies and strategies to improve the provision of legal services to ALS clients and monitoring and evaluating of emerging matters to determine their potential impact in the delivery of legal services by the organisation.

Reporting relationships

The position reports directly to one of the Deputy Principal Solicitors, Criminal Law Practice (depending on their cluster group location).

The positions directly reporting to it can include the various staff made up of Solicitors, Trial Advocates, Regional Administration Coordinator, Field Officers, Administration Officers, Paralegals and Volunteers.

Organisational environment

The Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Limited (ALS) is a public company limited by guarantee and registered charity. It is primarily funded by the Australian Government Attorney-General’s department and managed by an Aboriginal Board and governed by the ALS Company. The Company consists of thirty Aboriginal people from NSW and ACT and Company members are elected for three-year terms and represent their community. 

The ALS is one of the largest Aboriginal legal practices delivering legal services to Aboriginal people in Australia. With over 200 staff, we provide information and referral, legal advice and court representation in criminal law, family law and care and protection law to Aboriginal men, women and children in 24 offices across urban, regional and remote NSW and ACT.

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. We assist in criminal law, care & protection and family law and we provide information and referral for other civil law matters. We also provide community legal education, a custody notification service, prisoner through-care in the ACT and tenancy advocacy services.

The ALS is committed to achieving justice for Aboriginal people and the Aboriginal community. This is achieved by: ensuring the ALS remains committed to being community focussed; being fearless in our advocacy; accountable and ethical and aiming to make a difference to create better futures; while also acknowledging and respecting Aboriginal traditional values and cultural practices.

Challenges

Major challenges faced by the position are:

• Meeting the demand to deliver professional and culturally appropriate criminal law and other legal services, advice and support to Aboriginal clients;
• Prioritising service provision commensurate with available resources and within time constraints;
• Managing a range of staff in the cluster group and effectively balancing workloads and caseloads;
• Maintaining an up to date knowledge and response to a diverse range of emerging criminal and legal and professional law related issues.
• Maintaining and enhancing professional competence, keeping abreast of legal developments, changes in ALS policies, systems, guidelines, practices and community needs.
• Adapting to new systems and technology which have a significant impact on the legal practice.
• Ability to balance the primary role as a Manager with the workload of conducting a legal practice as a Senior Criminal Solicitor. 

Major accountabilities

• Support the Deputy Principal Solicitor with the delivery of legal services within the relevant staffing cluster location group;

• At the direction of the Deputy Principal Solicitor, assist with the management of professional and administrative staff;
• Management and supervision of staff and resources within the cluster group;
• Allocation of work and management of workloads including the briefing and assignment of work to external legal representatives and the implementation of policies and procedures for those functions;
• Organise and convene regular staff meetings and CLE seminars;
• Support the Deputy Principal Solicitor in the implementation of policy and strategies to improve the provision of legal services to clients of the ALS;
• Under the direction of the Deputy Principal Solicitor conduct recruitment of staff and volunteers and manage their induction, training, supervision and professional development;
• Manage career development opportunities to improve staff retention and conduct regular staff performance evaluations;
• Conduct complicated legal matters; including committals, District and Supreme Court appearances in all nominated jurisdictions;
• Co-ordinate diary and court schedules in order to maintain an effective and efficient legal practice and provide legal representation services in Local Courts, District Courts and Children’s courts;
• Participate in community education programs and liaise with community members and key stakeholder groups to create opportunities to increase the ALS profile;

• Contribute in the development and review of ALS related Criminal Law policies, procedures and guidelines;

• Oversee the representation of Aboriginal clients before the criminal justice system in the Local, Children’s, District and Supreme Courts, and other courts or tribunals;

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant criminal law legislation, case law and court procedures;
• Work together with the Deputy Principal Solicitor and other staff in the provision of business’s overall legal services delivery;
• Ensure all policies and practices are ethical and comply with the ALS’s policies and workplace health and safety legislation and promote the establishment of equal employment and access in accordance with agreed statutory policy. 

Knowledge, skills and experience required

Essential criteria

• 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.
• Possession of a current Practising Certificate issued by the Law Society of NSW with up to 6 years of demonstrated experience in the application of criminal and representation law combined with accreditation as a Specialist in Criminal Law or a willingness to attain such accreditation.

• Proven ability to manage the day to day activities of legal service offices within various locations including the supervision of staff, the allocation of work, and management of workloads and regular reviews of performance.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in legal representation for Aboriginal clients in criminal matters and capacity to brief and instruct Counsel. 

• Knowledge and understanding of relevant criminal law legislation, case law and court proceedings to effectively represent and advocate for Aboriginal clients.

• Demonstrated excellence in consultation, interpersonal, influencing, motivational, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, combined with strong people management skills and excellent oral and written communication skills. 

• Ability to meet deadlines, work without supervision and manage a diverse workload. 

• Demonstrated commitment to the effective implementation of Workplace Health & Safety and Ethical and Diversity practices in the workplace.
• Perform other duties as deemed appropriate and as delegated by the Deputy Principal Solicitor.