• Job: 2024-61
• Newcastle & Flexible Locations (NSW)
• Full-Time
• Permanent

Primary Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this role is to:

• Provide effective representation in family law litigation and family dispute resolution parenting matters to priority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Provide culturally safe legal assistance and representation in the Specialist Indigenous Lists at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
• An exciting opportunity to join a growing team contributing to Closing The Gap in out-of-home care.

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 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 Senior Solicitor is part of the Care & Protection / Family Law Practice and will directly report to the Principal Solicitor – Care & Protection / Family Law Practice.

The Senior Solicitor will be responsible for:

• Delivering targeted culturally safe and effective family law legal services to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Representation in litigation and family dispute resolution, early intervention legal advice and non-court assistance, and duty lawyer services.
• Where directed, act as a mentor to less experienced solicitors and legal staff regarding law, procedure and the operations of the ALS and monitoring continuing legal education.
• Where directed, contribute to law reform and policy initiatives to improve access to justice and address systemic legal issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
• Contribute to systemic advocacy which enhances access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities with a focus on creating better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families within the family law and care & protection systems.

About You

We’re looking for someone who brings:

Essential

• Have a current NSW practising certificate or eligible to apply for a NSW practising certificate.
• Have at least 4 years’ experience in family law, ideally in providing representation to clients in family law parenting litigation and family dispute resolution matters.
• Have experience in, knowledge and understanding of, working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Desirable

• Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Experience in and/or knowledge of care & protection law.
• Unrestricted NSW Driver’s licence and a willingness to drive in metropolitan and country locations, travel intrastate and stay overnight or longer.

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.

If you have questions about this role, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Family Law Solicitor - Care & Protection / Family Law Practice - Newcastle / Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.