About us:

The Law and Advocacy Centre for Women (LACW) is a not-for-profit, Community Legal Centre for women in Victoria. We assist women who are in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system, providing legal advice and representation in the following areas of law:

• Criminal defence advocacy;
• Infringements;
• Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) Applications; and
• Intervention orders.

LACW provides a wrap-around service to clients, addressing the underlying issues that have brought them into contact with the justice system, as well as providing legal advice and representation.

LACW is located at 147-155 Pelham Street, Carlton, Victoria, within the premises of RMIT University, and co-located with Youth Law. The Solicitor will be required to work collaboratively with these organisations, including with students from RMIT University, as part of a multidisciplinary partnership.

Position Overview

The Senior Solicitor is required to provide legal advice and representation to women, trans and gender diverse clients in relation to LACW’s four practice areas – criminal defence, infringements, VOCAT and family violence intervention orders. The primary focus of the role will be in criminal defence advocacy. The Senior Solicitor will be required to work on a range of matters, including summary and indictable crime and matters in regional locations. The Senior Solicitor will also be required to work with clients with multi-faceted needs, including those with past or current experience of family violence.

The Senior Solicitor will be part of a holistic practice that supports clients in relation to their legal and non-legal needs, which may include housing, health (including alcohol and drug use and mental health), overcoming family violence trauma, family reunification, and financial issues. To this end, the Senior Solicitor is expected to work as part of a team which includes professionals from other disciplines, to provide a wrap-around service to clients.

As LACW is operating a State-wide service, travel will be required for this role, including to regional Victoria. Approved travel expenses may be claimed where travel away from LACW’s offices is required to fulfil the duties of this role.

Qualifications

1. A degree in law and admission to practice in Victoria, and at least four years post-qualification experience. If you have less experience but would still like to be considered for the role, please get in touch.
2. Previous experience working for a community legal centre or legal aid commission is desirable.
3. Membership or eligibility for membership to the Victoria Legal Aid Panels relevant to LACW’s practice is also desirable.
4. All offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and the successful applicant must provide a current Working with Children Check prior to commencement.
5. Current Victorian Driver’s licence.

A position description is attached.