This is a special measures role and only members of the LGBTIQA+ community are eligible to apply, in line with the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

ABOUT FLS

Fitzroy Legal Service (FLS) is dedicated to assisting the most marginalised members of the community with legal information, advice and representation, as well as championing law reform and conducting public interest litigation.

Fitzroy Legal Service provides legal services for communities who are disproportionately impacted by law and policy, and those who face systemic barriers to accessing justice. We provide various multidisciplinary outreach programs reaching communities of colour, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, LGBTIQA+ communities and people who use drugs.

Our vision: A fairer Victorian community, where the legal and social systems support equality and justice for all.

Further information about FLS can be found on our website: fls.org.au.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Applications welcome for either a Community Lawyer or Senior Lawyer role.

Q+Law is a program of Fitzroy Legal Service and is a statewide legal service for LGBTIQA+SB Victorians. Q+Law operates in partnership with Queerspace and will deliver safe and inclusive legal services at the Victoria Pride Centre and outreach to various locations including Queerspace and Your Community Health. The Queerspace Community Governance Committee will provide expert lived experience advice and ensure the intersectional voices of our communities inform the service development of Q+Law.

You will make a difference by:

• Providing legal information, advice, referrals and casework in relevant Q+Law practice areas, including but not limited to administrative law, discrimination and harassment law, civil law, criminal law, employment law, health law, LGBTIQA+SB family violence, tenancy law and legal issues relating to gender identity.
• Providing place-based services through outreach partners, including at community health services and LGBTIQA+SB community organisations.
• Delivering inclusive and respectful service to diverse members of the community including those experiencing intersectional disadvantage.

In addition, the Senior Lawyer will:

• Provide leadership, direction and support to Q+Law community lawyers, volunteers and paralegals in relation to legal advice, casework, referrals and legal research. 
• Provide secondary consultations and professional training to community workers and agencies in relation to specialist areas of Q+Law legal practice.

See attached position descriptions for more information.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in the role you will ideally have:

• A legal practitioner qualification, eligible to practice in Victoria.
• At least 1 year (Community Lawyer) or 3 years (Senior Lawyer) post-admission experience in one or more relevant areas of law and practice, including discrimination law, administrative law, migration law, and family law and family violence, employment law and human rights law.
• Expertise (or capacity to develop) in relevant areas of law and practice, including discrimination law, administrative law, migration law, and family law and family violence, employment law and human rights law.
• Contemporary understanding of sex, gender and sexuality and legal issues experienced by LGBTIQA+SB communities.
• An understanding of LGBTIQA+SB communities and sectors in Victoria.
• High level of client service skills, ability to work with diverse members of the community including those experiencing intersectional disadvantage.
• High level verbal and written communication skills.
• Good understanding of issues arising for individuals that might make accessing legal services challenging.
• Strong commitment to social justice and the philosophy of FLS.

If you meet some, but not all, of the above, we encourage your application. We appreciate that people obtain skills and experience in a range of ways, and value people’s curiosity and openness to learning.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• 5 weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading plus paid leave over the Christmas shutdown period.
• Above-award salary and the ability to increase your take-home pay by accessing salary packaging benefits (use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you).
• A range of leave options, including 16 weeks parental leave for primary carers, gender affirmation leave, cultural and ceremonial leave, the ability to swap public holidays as well as purchase additional leave.
• For more information about this position, please contact Amy Frew, Director of Legal Services, [email protected].

Fitzroy Legal Service is an inclusive employer and complies with the laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, family responsibilities, irrelevant criminal record and other protected attributes. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from members of diverse communities and people with relevant lived experience.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work permit or visa.

The successful candidate must undergo a National Police Check.

NOTE: Disclosure of a criminal record does not necessarily preclude employment with FLS, but if needed, we invite applicants to address this issue early in the application phase. Should a criminal record disclosure be advised by a candidate, FLS will endeavour to provide clarity over whether the conviction would preclude a candidate from being able to carry out the position duties.