• Job: 2024-101
• Lismore, NSW
• Full-Time, Permanent

Primary Purpose of the Role

The primary responsibility of the Graduate Solicitor Criminal Law Practice is to undertake Criminal Appearance work as directed, covering matters within Local Courts, Children’s Courts, District Court and/or Court Circuit (requiring travel). 

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 Solicitor is part of the Criminal Law Practice.

The 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 and undertaking Court responsibilities.
• Performing Criminal Law appearance work as directed covering matters within Local Courts, Children’s Courts, District Court and/or Court Circuit (requiring travel).
• Researching, preparing, and providing representation for Aboriginal clients in Criminal Law matters and prepare briefs for counsel and attend to instructing counsel.
• Communicating with, taking instructions from, and effectively representing Aboriginal clients who may present as distressed, have a physical or intellectual disability, or have problem behaviours such as drug or alcohol addictions, when the legal concepts involved are complex and difficult for the client to understand.

About You

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Legal qualifications and a current NSW Practising Certificate (or be able to obtain one immediately).
• Demonstrated 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.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills combined with strong time management, legal research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A willingness and ability to travel to ALS’ various offices.
• A minimum of 6 months experience working in Criminal Law.

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.

Please view the full position description, also attached below.

If you have any enquiries or would like to discuss the role, please contact our recruitment team at [email protected], using the subject line: Solicitor Graduate - Grade 1 - Criminal Law Practice - Lismore enquiry via EthicalJobs.