This vacancy is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identified recruitment under Part 5, clause 26 of the Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014. 

If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch for a confidential discussion by emailing: [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Solicitor - Legal Officer V - Civil Law - Aboriginal Identified enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.   

About us 

Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas criminal law, family law and every day civil law legal issues. We give legal advice, help at court and do family dispute resolution. We can do this over the telephone or at one of our 28 offices.  

About the role 

Your role will be to lead a team delivering high-quality civil law services to Aboriginal people living in rural and remote communities throughout NSW, including Moree, Wilcannia, Bourke, Brewarrina, and Lake Cargelligo, and Aboriginal women in custody. It involves working closely with Aboriginal communities and elders to ensure culturally appropriate services. 

You will contribute to the senior management and leadership of the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities. 

Please Note: Legal Aid NSW considers that being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification under s 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). 

Applicants for this role must satisfy the Aboriginality criteria. Aboriginality is defined by descent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such. In the pre-screening questions you will need to provide information on how you satisfy the Aboriginality criteria.  

About you  

You are an experienced solicitor, committed to delivering high quality, culturally appropriate legal services.  

You have experience supervising and leading a team. You model and promote cultural safety practices for staff and clients.  You have strong networking capabilities particularly with local communities and a diverse range of stakeholders. 

Are you a passionate and experienced lawyer with a heart for social justice? 

Do you thrive in a leadership role, empowering others while making a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged people? 

This is a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated team delivering vital legal services to Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal women in custody.  

As a Senior Solicitor, you'll: 

• Champion access to justice for Aboriginal people 

• Provide high-quality legal services  

• Mentor and guide legal and non-legal staff to ensure a highly skilled and efficient team 

• Develop strategies to address systemic legal challenges faced by Aboriginal communities 

• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to make a positive difference for Aboriginal clients and communities  

This role is perfect for you if: 

• You have a strong commitment to social justice and cultural competency 

• You possess strong leadership and team-management skills 

• You are passionate about advocacy and law reform 

• You thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment. 

Join us and make a lasting impact on the lives of Aboriginal communities. Apply today! 

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW! 

We are committed to diversity and inclusion 

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.  

We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.    

We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you’d like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Solicitor - Legal Officer V - Civil Law - Aboriginal Identified enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Other benefits of working with us 

• You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities. 

• We are an accredited Flex Ready certified employer and are recognised as leaders in the area of flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life. 

The essential requirements for this role 

You must: 

• be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander 

• be willing to do a Criminal Record Check  

• be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW 

• be able to provide a current unrestricted NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us 

• hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies) 

• hold a valid NSW Drivers Licence  

• have a thorough understanding and knowledge of working with Aboriginal clients and communities 

How to apply 

You MUST submit your application online through the Apply Now link below. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted. 

Your application must include: 

• your resume (no more than 5 pages) 

• cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please outline your motivation for applying for this position and how your skills and experience are relevant to the role. 

Make sure your application is complete and you have answered all questions before you submit it.  

Do you need help to apply?

It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:

• If you have questions about the role, you can contact Jackie Finlay on (02) 9219 5661 or email: [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Solicitor - Legal Officer V - Civil Law - Aboriginal Identified enquiry via EthicalJobs.
• If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.
• The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role. 
• The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.
• Applying for a Role
• Working at Legal Aid NSW