• Family law
• Full time

This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to apply their legal skills in a field that supports vulnerable members of the community who are seeking justice responses associated with experiencing family or domestic violence. Join our multi-disciplinary team of dedicated and enthusiastic practitioners and embrace the opportunity to expand your own personal and professional development and contributing to the growth of your colleagues while living in remote Western Australia. 

The Marninwarntikura Family Support and Legal Unit functions as one of a range of innovate programs delivered by the Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, an established and respected healing informed Aboriginal Organisation in the Central Kimberley. 

The Solicitor role is part of a close-knit multidisciplinary team delivering a holistic family-centric service. In addition to providing legal representation and support to members of the community, the role also requires you to work alongside professionals from non-legal fields that deliver assistance in the areas of social work support, trauma-informed counselling and indigenous-led support in communities including community legal education.

Primary areas of legal service delivery required in the role relate to family and domestic violence, family law, child protection matters, criminal injuries compensation and a degree of flexibility to assist in other civil areas that meet the goal of supporting families. Complimentary to legal service delivery, the role also assists to deliver community legal education and other outreach work in remote communities.

Marninwarntikura invites candidates with energy, drive and vision to apply for the position. The role is one that provides scope to use your legal skills to effect positive change for vulnerable people.

Applicants for the role should have:

• at least 2 years post admission experience – preferably in family violence, family law or other related civil areas of practice;
• the ability to hold a WA unrestricted practicing certificate;
• a commitment to providing access to justice and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, history and culture; and
• sufficient resilience and maturity for practice in a remote area.

As the only practicing lawyer in the Valley you will have excellent opportunity to help shape future legal service delivery in the area as part of a multidisciplinary practice. A generous remuneration package with a range of benefits – including subsidised housing, salary sacrifice and strong supports in the organisation is on offer to the right candidate.

Legal Practice

• Coordinate the provision of culturally appropriate legal services to vulnerable clients across the Fitzroy Crossing and surrounding communities in the Fitzroy Valley region.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legal practice laws, rules, guidelines and contractual requirements.
• Develop and maintain legal practice policies, procedures and systems to facilitate an efficient and effective practice.

Community Legal Education and outreach

• Oversee the identification of community legal education priorities and the development and delivery of outreach & education programs & initiatives.

Community and stakeholder engagement

In conjunction with the Legal Unit manager:

• Participate in community networks and build/maintain relationships with referring agencies, key organisations, community leaders and local people relevant to legal issues.
• Initiate and/or participate in collaborative efforts with other service providers or organisations in delivering legal services.

Professional Development

• Undertake professional development activities to maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills required to fulfil the key responsibilities of the position.

Selection Criteria

 Essential

1. Eligibility to hold an unrestricted practising certificate in Western Australia.
2. Well-developed casework and advocacy experience in one or more of the following: family and domestic violence, family law, child protection and relevant civil law.
3. Ability to coordinate legal services and programs.
4. Highly developed written and interpersonal communication skills and ability to apply these skills with a diverse range of people, groups and organisations.
5. Understanding and commitment to principles of social justice and to working effectively with Indigenous people.
6. Experience in advising and representing people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
7. Personal resilience, adaptability and ability to meet the challenges of remote service delivery

Desirable

1. Experience in a community legal practice setting and/or community-based organisation, ideally in a multidisciplinary context.
2. Current driver’s licence valid for use in WA.

For more information on our organisation visit www.mwrc.com.au