• Job: 2024-126
  
• Full-Time | Permanent
• Newcastle, NSW

Primary Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this role is to deliver of culturally appropriate legal advice, and representation to clients in accordance with the ALS policies, procedures and guidelines in Crime EAGP matters including early intervention and outreach services, community legal education and referrals.

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 Senior Solicitor is part of the Criminal Law Practice based at Newcastle.

• Provide high quality legal advice and representation to Aboriginal clients and assist them in resolving their legal problems and undertake Court responsibilities.
• Providing considered, independent, balanced, and professional legal advice.
• Demonstrating continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with clients, their families, communities, and staff; as an employee of the ALS, continue to learn about the customs and history of local Aboriginal people.
• Working with the supervising solicitor to provide leadership to the team, this may include assisting with management duties.
• As required, providing reports, and assisting in the preparation submissions for legal reform Assisting in arranging or providing continuing legal education for more junior solicitors
• Researching, preparing, and providing representation for Aboriginal clients in complex legal matters and prepare briefs for counsel and attend to instructing counsel.

About You

We’re looking for someone who brings:

Essential:

• Legal qualifications and a NSW Practising Certificate with a minimum of 5 years experience in Criminal Law
• In-depth knowledge, understanding and of the Criminal Law, including practice and procedure
• Excellent written and oral communication skills combined with strong time management, interpersonal, legal research and problem solving skills
• Ability to work autonomously within a criminal law environment, meet conflicting deadlines and manage a demanding workload
• Ability to display sound judgment and proven capacity to provide high quality legal representation and advice to Aboriginal clients
• Current valid unrestricted NSW Driver’s licence and a willingness to drive in metropolitan and country locations, travel intrastate and stay overnight or longer

Desirable:

• Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

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.