• Maternity leave position for 12 months

About Western Sydney Community Legal Centre

Western Sydney Community Legal Centre (WSCLC) operates from multiple locations across Western Sydney, including Parramatta, Harris Park, Rooty Hill and Windsor. WSCLC provides free legal advice and other legal and related services to disadvantaged people in the Western Sydney area. It operates a generalist legal practice and specialist legal services including the Parramatta Community Justice Clinic, Student Legal Services Western Sydney University, Home Building Advocacy Service, Aboriginal Legal Access Program and a Clinical Placement Program.

A number of community programs including Western Sydney Tenants’ Service, Children’s Court Assistance Scheme, Central West Contact Service, and Parramatta Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service operate under the auspices of WSCLC.

WSCLC was formed as the result of the amalgamation of Macquarie Legal Centre, Mt Druitt and Area Community Legal Centre and Hawkesbury Nepean Community Legal Centre in June 2016.

WSCLC was formed to ensure the sustainability of a community legal service for the people of Western Sydney and with the aim of facilitating the cost effective and efficient targeting and delivery of legal services to people who have the greatest legal needs, including people experiencing or at risk of family violence.

About this Role

This role is located within our legal practice and will be primarily based at Parramatta with some outreach required to other sites.

We are looking for an experienced family lawyer who is flexible and enjoys working with a range of clients from diverse backgrounds. The role includes outreach to project partners including the Family Relationship Centre at Macquarie Park and Parramatta with other outreach sites a possibility. The role currently includes a family mediation component which is negotiable.

This position reports to the Family Law Supervising Solicitor. 

Regular location of employment is at Parramatta with some work at outreach sites.

Key Responsibilities

• All aspects of legal service delivery including Court/Tribunal advocacy and representation, early dispute resolution, casework, advice and community legal education
• Administration, file management, data entry and conflict checking.
• Provide comprehensive reports on service delivery activities and plans and participate in casework meetings, file reviews and other team activities.

Selection Criteria for this Position

1. Qualified to practice as a solicitor in NSW and hold a practising certificate.
2. Demonstrated experience in preparing casework and in undertaking court work and advocacy in the practice area of family law.
3. Superior oral and written communication skills, conflict resolution and negotiation skills
4. Ability to work without close supervision, set priorities, organise and manage own workloads and meet deadlines.
5. Demonstrated ability to work within a team environment, both small and large.
6. Understanding of and commitment to the work of community legal centres and demonstrated understanding of issues facing the priority clients groups assisted by the Centre including domestic violence.
7. Demonstrated ability to assist with the development and implementation of legal service delivery projects such as community education programs.
8. Sound computer skills and ability to type own reports, court documents, letters and undertake data entry
9. Understanding of family dispute resolution and lawyer-assisted mediations.

Desirable

1. Experience with CLASS (database system)
2. Ability to speak a community language

Remuneration is based on: 

Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services (SCHCADS) Industry Award 2010, Level 6 Pay point negotiable ($80,552 per annum - $84,065 per annum)

(plus 9.5% Superannuation and optional Salary Packaging)