POSITION SUMMARY

• Salary: $120,000 (including superannuation) full time equivalent
• Position status: Part time up to 3 days a week (but open to discussion for the right candidate)
• Location: Remotely with ability to travel to Victoria from time to time
• Term: 1 year fixed term contract with possible extension (dependent on funding). Commencing ASAP.
• Position reports to: Board
• Primary responsibilities: Managing pro bono animal law practice
• Probation period: 3 months

ABOUT THE ANIMAL LAW INSTITUTE (ALI)

ALI is a non-profit community legal centre that is dedicated to protecting animals and advocating for their interests through the Australian legal system. ALI is also a public company limited by guarantee and a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

ALI’s vision is to create a just world for animals. The suffering and exploitation of millions of animals is legal in Australia. It happens every day because of cruel, inadequate and inconsistent laws. We fight to change this.

Our mission is to be a voice for animals by:

• Using the legal system to challenge the current treatment of animals; and
• Providing the public with the tools to replicate our previous successful strategic litigation.

We carry out our mission by:

• Providing services through our anti-puppy farm clinic to Victorian clients looking to challenge puppy farm breeders and retailers; preparing information sheets to assist clients pursuing solutions directly; preparing discrete advice on prospects; and representation in legal disputes
• Assisting our clients to identify and pursue a consumer law claim challenging unethical companion animal breeding practices that falls within a court’s jurisdiction and thereby has the potential to set a legal precedent
• Conducting a strategic litigation opportunity research program that involves roundtable discussions with leading figures in the animal protection movement and research into identified areas of law and industry practice where there is potential to materially advance animal protection through clients’ strategic litigation.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Our new principal lawyer will manage our anti-puppy farm clinic and have input into our strategic litigation research program (with potential opportunities for greater involvement if desired). Amongst many other responsibilities, they will provide direct legal advice to clients, appear before courts and tribunals, facilitate referrals to barristers, and oversee other volunteer lawyers, paralegals and research assistants.

This is a 12-month role with possibility for extension based on future funding. The role is part-time up to 3 days per week, likely sharing the position with another principal lawyer, but we are open to discussing these arrangements with the right candidate.

Our ideal candidate is an Australian lawyer, with a principal practicing certificate or the ability to obtain one. They have demonstrated litigation and client management experience and the capacity to have independent carriage of legal proceedings. They can work with juniors and work autonomously and are highly self motivated.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage an anti-puppy farm clinic to:
  • Provide advice to clients who have purchased a companion animal and subsequently find the animal has underlying health issues that were not disclosed at the time of sale
  • Identify cases that provide opportunity for strategic litigation
• Have carriage of strategic litigation matters relating to the anti-puppy farm clinic, including appearing before courts or tribunals, or (where appropriate) briefing counsel; and have oversight of any other strategic litigation matters ALI may pursue in future
• Have input into other lawyers’ research and advice to leading animal protection groups and clients on matters of strategic importance to the animal protection movement, including on opportunities for strategic litigation
• Supervise the work of volunteer lawyers, paralegals and research assistants
• Be responsible for the governance and strategic coordination of the ALI practice including in relation to operational planning
• Ensure compliance with high professional standards of service delivery including professional indemnity insurance and community legal centre accreditation obligations
• Assist with governance, reporting, administration and evaluation requirements of ALI
• Assist the Board execute social media strategy
• Represent ALI in the media as required and in agreement with the Board
• Participate in and support ALI applications for funding including responsibility for the acquittal of grants tied to the delivery of services
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including leading animal protection groups in Australia
• Other relevant work as reasonably directed by the Board
• Upholding ALI’s animal-centric ethics and values

It is expected that you will be largely self-directed in the carrying out of day-to-day duties of this position.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• An admitted Australian Lawyer
• The holder of a principal lawyer practising certificate (or be eligible to apply for one)
• Demonstrated litigation and client management experience including the capacity to have independent carriage of legal proceedings
• Practice management experience
• A good understanding of competition and consumer law or administrative law preferred
• The ability to think strategically and creatively about how we achieve systemic change for animals
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on consideration of different views
• Demonstrated ability to drive program development; strong initiative and self-motivation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to give accurate and practical legal information and advice
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Understanding of and commitment to ALI's Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan

A position description is attached.