• Classification: Level 6 – Full time
• Remuneration: $107,151 to $111,897 (inclusive of super), plus attractive salary packaging options
• Type: Full-time contract until February 2024 (with possibility for extension)

An opportunity to make a difference

Caxton Legal Centre provides legal assistance and social work supports to promote and protect the human rights of people who experience financial and other disadvantage. All our lawyers work within a human rights practice framework, alongside social workers and consider themselves human rights practitioners as they apply their knowledge within particular areas of law alongside their use of the Human Rights Act Qld to help clients realise their rights. Caxton provides challenging work for lawyers passionate about social justice and this is performed in a highly supportive environment to produce outcomes as a team.

This position represents your opportunity to join one of the largest family law and elder abuse organisations in Queensland during a significant growth phase for the program and Caxton itself.

Caxton has a Senior Lawyer – Family Law and DV position available which involves:

• Supervision of staff within family law and domestic violence court-based and community-based legal services to people who experience and use violence and/or who have family law issues, including advocacy where police have misidentified the perpetrator of violence or failed to respond to situations of violence
• Working within multi-disciplinary legal and social work programs to provide legal services to older clients whose rights to independence, autonomy and a life free from abuse are diminished by family members

The role also involves opportunities for duty lawyer work including in circuits across South East Queensland, supervising volunteers including at night sessions and providing follow-up advice, providing advice to daytime clients, supervising student legal clinics, PLT students and secondees, and delivering services at the office, at outreach locations (hospital, aged care, health centre, a client’s home) and remotely.

Key accountabilities

• Work with minimal supervision and apply in-depth existing knowledge of relevant areas of law to deliver legal advice and conduct simple and complex casework, including mediations
• Provide direct supervision for restricted practitioners, PLT students and volunteers
• Contribute to the management of the program areas
• Work collaboratively with social workers to provide a holistic, client-centred service to diverse clients within a human rights framework
• Deliver community education, engage in sector development and networking, contribute to law and policy reform

Essential requirements

• Demonstrated experience in the areas of family law and domestic violence
• Bachelor of Laws
• Eligible for admission as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Queensland
• Current Unrestricted Practising Certificate
• 5+ years PAE

Why caxton legal?

Caxton Legal Centre has played a central part in Queensland’s legal landscape over the past 40 years, leading the state’s first Stolen Wages case, successfully representing well over 100 victims of the 2011 floods, and paving the way for multidisciplinary service delivery to people experiencing elder abuse.

We are an engaged, passionate and talented group of lawyers, social workers, and administrative staff with whom you are encouraged to collaborate with and learn from in order to meet our client’s needs.

Our full-time staff enjoy a 35-hour working week paid at the full-time Award rate, with time off in lieu if additional approved hours are worked. Paid Christmas leave is provided during the office shut-down period to New Years in addition to four weeks paid annual leave.

Caxton is currently experiencing significant growth and change across many of its programs; these roles represent investments into the future of our service delivery and capabilities across South-East Queensland.

Please apply with a 1-2 page cover letter addressing the key accountabilities alongside your CV to Damian Kelleher, COO.

A position description is attached.