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Senior Lawyer - Employment and Equality Law Program

WEstjustice
  • Be part of a well-regarded specialist service providing free employment and discrimination law advice to communities experiencing disadvantage
  • Deliver legal advice and education and contribute to systemic law reform activities addressing worker exploitation
  • 12-month position in a passionate, professional and dedicated team

The Organisation

WEstjustice are a leading community legal centre providing free services to vulnerable and disadvantaged people. From their offices in Footscray, Werribee and Sunshine and through their outreach services they provide advice on a broad range of issues including employment, discrimination, consumer disputes, tenancy, credit and debt, family disputes, family violence, criminal law and more.

WEstjustice believe in a just and fair society where the law and its processes do not discriminate against vulnerable people. They provide free legal education, undertake law reform activities and work in partnership with their local communities to deliver projects that improve access to justice.

WEstjustice’s purpose is to service the legal needs in the West in a way that addresses the systemic nature of disadvantage

Benefits & Culture

  • Competitive salary with generous salary packaging
  • Up to 5 hours study leave per week
  • Flexible working conditions
  • Full or part time work
  • Based in Footscray with outreach work at other sites

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an employment lawyer keen to work in an innovative community justice environment with clients experiencing disadvantage, and to be involved in addressing the systemic issues that contribute to workplace exploitation.

Reporting to the Program Manager, Employment and Equality Law Program (EELP), you will use your employment and discrimination law experience to improve the lives of workers though information, education, community development, legal advice, casework and advocacy.

You will undertake work with a range of clients including people from newly arrived communities, international students, young people, and women experiencing family violence. Your matters will include underpayment of wages and entitlements, sham contracting, unfair dismissals and general protections, unsafe work practices and employment-related discrimination and sexual harassment.

In addition to direct service delivery, you will assist the team with its outreach services and systemic impact advocacy, including working on law reform submissions, campaigns and projects. You will contribute to organisational best practice, maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders that support our services, including pro-bono partners, volunteers, and interns, and represent the EELP at external forums and working groups.

The Senior Lawyer will be primarily based at our Footscray office but may be required to work at our other offices (located in the western suburbs of Melbourne including Sunshine & Werribee, or the CBD) and/or partner organisation sites, depending on program need.

Skills Required

You will be qualified in law and hold an unrestricted Victorian practicing certificate or be eligible for one. Legal practice experience in employment and equality law is required for this position.

You will also have:

  • a minimum of three years post admission experience
  • demonstrated systemic advocacy experience, such as researching and drafting strategic policy submissions, and
  • the proven ability to undertake outreach services, deliver legal education and provide holistic legal assistance to disadvantaged clients.

The full key selection criteria are contained in the position description attached.

The successful applicant will require a current Working with Children’s Check and a Police Check or be prepared to apply for both. Applicants must possess the right to work in Australia.

Generous salary packaging is available (including access to Accommodation and Meal Entertainment packaging).

Please call Jennifer Jones, Legal Director, EELP, on 03 9749 7720 for a confidential discussion.

How to apply

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