• Port Augusta, Whyalla & Eyre Peninsula SA
• Criminal & Civil Law (Legal)
• Full time
• $90,459.61 per year

Purpose

The Solicitor reports to the Criminal Practice Manager. The purpose of the position is to ensure the delivery of consistently high quality and culturally appropriate service delivery to the Association’s clients at the Port Augusta Regional Office and courts at Whyalla, Port Pirie, Peterborough, Leigh Creek, Roxby Downs, Coober Pedy and on APY Lands circuits. To ensure that the Association’s policies and procedures on the assessment, acceptance and delivery of legal casework are implemented and maintained.  To ensure that all resources allocated to the legal practice and its casework activities are appropriately managed, effectively deployed to the priorities of the practice as well as effectively monitored and accounted for at the Port Augusta Office.  To undertake Supreme, District and Magistrate Court criminal matters.  To represent clients in Magistrates Trials.

ALRM Core Objectives

The central object of the Movement is to assist Aboriginal persons (especially those Aboriginal persons who are detained in custody or imprisoned) to relieve their poverty, the consequences of their dispossession and social misfortune and to assist further in removing destitution and helplessness amongst Aboriginal people through the use of the legal system of the State of South Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia. (Please refer to ALRM Intranet for more core ALRM Objectives),

Key Responsibilities

• Role model politeness and professional communication when dealing with clients and the general public.
• To work as part of a team including other legal staff, field officers and support staff to provide legal advice and representation to clients of ALRM Inc of a consistent high quality.
• To work to ensure the provision of a culturally competent and responsive service to clients.
• To understand and apply ALRM Inc and Attorney General’s Department Policies as they relate to the provision of legal aid services to clients.
• Liaise with other legal service providers, Federal and State Authorities and other agencies as required.
• Perform such other duties commensurate with the functions of ALRM Inc and this classification, as may be required.
• Encourage and sustain a cooperative, “can do” work environment.
• Contribute positively to organisational management and support operations towards the achievement of organisational goals.
• Support and work with people with diverse backgrounds, value systems, cultural differences and special needs.
• Conduct solicitor and counsel work in assigned criminal files for guilty pleas in summary and minor indictable matters which are heard in Magistrates or Youth Courts.
• Conduct less serious Magistrates or Youth Court trials as counsel, subject to general supervision.
• Conduct assigned Criminal case file solicitor’s work in less complex District Court matters as directed by the Manager of the Criminal Law Practice division or under their delegation, and general supervision.
• Conduct as counsel. In appropriate cases, under the supervision of a more senior lawyer, sentence appeals from the Magistrates or Youth Courts to the Supreme Court.
• Conduct as counsel, under the supervision of a more senior lawyer, bail reviews in summary or minor indictable matters from the Magistrates or Youth Courts to the Supreme Court. 
• Other duties as required and/or requested by the CEO or respective manager.
• Actively participate and contribute to responsible and safe work practices by ensuring all WHS legislation, policies and procedures are adhered to within the workplace this includes any directive given by the Human Services department in relations to any pandemics.
• Embracing diversity and cultural differences in the workplace by modelling respectful behaviour in the workplace.

Essential Criteria

• Admitted or eligible for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister of the Supreme Court of South Australia and as a practitioner of the High Court of Australia.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the criminal legal system, its requirements for effective client representation and its impact upon Aboriginal people.
• Demonstrated experience in providing legal advice and representation in relation to family law, child protection and civil law matters.
• Comprehensive understanding of the issues confronting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to the delivery of legal services and in the wider community.
• Capacity to work effectively in an Aboriginal organisation demonstrating respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Cultures.
• Commitment to delivering culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.                                                         
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-level organisational and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to efficient and effective service delivery and a commitment to a client-centred focus.
• Ability to manage and balance priorities in an environment of high workloads and varied casework.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
• Ability in the practical use of the office equipment’s and office systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively and share decision making.
• Ability to demonstrate respect, approachability and mediation, consistency and model exemplary leadership qualities and behaviors.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of Equal Opportunity, Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare standards.
• An understanding of the objectives of Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, its services and clients.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Organisations Core Values (Code of Ethics) and the Employee Conduct Policy.

Please submit applications of a covering letter and with a Curriculum Vitae via the "Apply Now" button.