Job: 2024-118 | Full-Time | Permanent | Canberra, ACT

Primary Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this role is to undertake court appearance work as directed, covering matters within the ACT Magistrates Court and Children’s Court.

The court appearance work will include acting in lists, sentence matters, bail applications and defended hearings.

Why Join the ALS Team?

At the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) you can make an impact. You will join a strong movement fighting for social justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

Our focus is our people: the people we support and the people 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 people and appreciate the rich diversity of lived experiences, languages, and culture.

Born out of a protest movement over 50 years ago, the ALS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW and the ACT. It’s an exciting time to be joining us. We recently received additional funding to deliver a range of new programs aimed at addressing systemic issues and driving structural reforms. This is creating significant opportunities for the ALS, our staff and communities.

As well as the satisfaction of working in a job that really matters, we offer our staff benefits including:

• Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax liability and maximise take-home pay
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%
• Career and professional development opportunities
• Access to personal counselling for you and your family
• Additional paid leave of up to 6 days per year, paid parental and study leave
• Flexible work options – talk to us about how we can make this role work for you

About the Role

The Duty Solicitor is part of the Criminal Law Practice based in Canberra, ACT.

The Duty Solicitor will be responsible for:

• Providing high quality and culturally appropriate legal advice and representation to Aboriginal clients and assisting them in resolving their legal problems.
• Providing considered, independent, balanced, and professional criminal law advice.
• Researching, preparing, and providing representation for Aboriginal clients in criminal law matters and prepare briefs for counsel and attend to instructing counsel.
• Performing criminal law appearance work as directed covering matters within the ACT Magistrates Court and Children’s Court.
• Assisting with the development of submissions on law reform and representing the ALS at meetings, conference and seminars as directed.

About You

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Legal qualifications and a current ACT Practising Certificate (or be able to obtain one immediately)
• Up-to-date knowledge of the criminal law, including practice and procedure.
• Proven capacity to identify and understand legal issues facing socially and economically disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work autonomously and manage a diverse workload.
• A minimum of 6 months experience working in criminal law (desirable)

Pre-Employment Requirements

ALS is committed to implementing safe recruitment practices. Your application may be subject to pre-employment checks such as reference checks, Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check, Right to work in Australia, COVID-19 vaccinations and National Police History check.

A position description is attached.