• Make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families
• Gain valuable experience across a range of civil and family law matters
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team at the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS)

Primary Purpose of the role

The primary purpose of this role is to provide effective civil and family law representation, early intervention advice, and community legal education to empower and support vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families to access culturally safe legal services and lead lives free from the impacts of domestic and family violence.

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 Hunter Legal Assistance for Vulnerable Women.

The Solicitor will be responsible for the below but are not limited to:

• Deliver targeted culturally safe and effective generalist legal services to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in accordance with ALS policy and procedures, including representation in litigation and dispute resolution, early intervention legal advice, non-court assistance, and duty lawyer services.
• 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.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of legal developments and procedures including through the identification of training needs and attending appropriate training to maintain professional standards and retain a NSW practising certificate.
• Perform duties to a high standard, ethically, and in line with ALS values
• Adhere to ALS policies, procedures, and applicable legislation
• Perform other reasonable duties as directed

About you

We’re looking for someone who brings:

Essential

• Legal qualifications and a current Practicing Certificate issued by the Law Society of NSW.
• Have at least 12 months practice experience in family law/domestic violence /or civil law.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work autonomously to manage a diverse and busy workload.
• Capacity to represent clients and undertake an advocacy role before Courts and Tribunals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people combined with continuing respect and support for cultural practices when considering service delivery and other support for clients, their families, communities, and employees.
• Understanding of the dynamics of family and domestic violence and its effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
• A current NSW driver’s license.

Desirable

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Previous experience working in an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community-based organisation.

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: Solicitor, Hunter Legal Assistance for Vulnerable Women enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.