SUMMARY OF ROLE:

• Part- Time - 4 days or Full Time, 12 months contract
• University of Technology, Sydney Broadway Campus
• Close walking distance to Central Station, Sydney (Hybrid options possible)
• $100k- $115k plus FBT salary packaging up to $15,990 annually plus superannuation & FBT,
• Access to EAP Wellbeing package, bi-monthly RDOs, and early finish on Fridays

WHO IS THE NATIONAL JUSTICE PROJECT:

The National Justice Project (NJP) is a not-for-profit legal service and civil rights organisation. We use the law, advocacy and education to tackle systemic injustice and promote government accountability. We primarily represent and support First Nations peoples and asylum seekers/refugees who have been harmed and discriminated against within the justice and health care systems. We advance human rights by representing and supporting our clients to have their voices heard. We advocate for the reform and development of law, and a justice system that is fair, just and equitable, taking on the most challenging cases that will create systemic change.

Our office based in Sydney is a small and busy workplace. We recognise and pay our deepest respects to all First Nations Peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work. NJP recognises that throughout history the Australian legal system has been an instrument of violence and oppression against First Nations Peoples, as well as other minority groups. NJP seeks to strengthen and promote dialogue between the Australian legal system and First Nations laws, governance structures and protocols.

We are committed to reconciliation, and achieving social justice by ensuring everyone has the right to equal access and status under the law. We work collaboratively with community partners to identify and advocate against systemic injustices. We are a small team of both legal and non-legal staff who all work flexibly and cooperatively to achieve positive outcomes for our clients, strategic outcomes in Australia’s legal landscape and enhance rights awareness within the community.

THE ROLE:

The NJP is offering a fixed-term senior solicitor (civil litigation) position with at least 6 years of post-admission experience (PAE). The NJP strongly encourages Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse lawyers to apply. The successful candidate will be offered a 12-month contract, to be based in Sydney, NSW. NJP offers flexible hybrid working between office and WFH (with a minimum of 3 days in the office subject to individual circumstances). It is highly desirable for this position to be in the office regularly to supervise staff.

You will be able to:

• Have carriage and responsibility for a range of legal matters (predominately civil litigation).
• Oversee our strategic litigation in relation to offshore immigration detention, including case work, progressing the cohort of matters and supervising other lawyers’ offshore matters.
• Liaise with clients, courts, other parties and our partners/other stakeholders.
• Provide high quality advice, assistance and casework service to the clients of the NJP.
• Undertake administrative and case management activities.
• Supervise solicitors and their caseloads to ensure all obligations are met and cases are run smoothly.
• Be involved in a wide range of legal and policy issues and cases within our practice.
• Maintain an effective and ethical legal practice including compliance with NJP policies and legislative requirements and practice management standards.

YOU WILL BE SOMEONE WHO HAS:

• At least 6-year post admission experience with minimum 4-5 years’ experience in civil litigation.
• Candidates must take a trauma-informed approach to working with clients.
• You must have strong leadership, confidence, and advocacy skills.
• There may be some travel and media/public speaking required.
• The successful candidate will apply their legal training and knowledge to seek justice and accountability for our clients and the wider community.
• The NJP strongly encourages Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse lawyers to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Personal Responsibilities

• Undertaking your work and other activities with integrity whilst upholding the organisation’s values and in particular, ensuring a people-first approach across our staff, volunteers and clients;
• Supporting team cohesion in a flexible and friendly manner;
• Protecting and enhancing the reputation of the organisation;
• Executing the tasks that are assigned to you to a high standard;
• Collecting data to evaluate your work and regularly reporting on it;
• Meeting objectives and deliverables in a timely manner; and
• Maintaining positive relationships with NJP’s partner organisations and the wider community.

Legal Assistance and Services, Including:

• Working on or contributing to a wide range of legal matters with minimal supervision or under the direction of the Principal Solicitors, predominately in civil litigation, supervising coronial inquests, medical negligence claims, constitutional and administrative law cases, and complaints to the Ombudsman and the Australian Human Rights Commission;
• Drafting pleading, affidavits, other documents;
• Reviewing medical and other records and preparing briefs and letters of instruction to counsel and medical experts;
• Appearing in case management/directions hearings and instructing counsel in hearings;
• Preparing for and managing/ensuring the smooth running of mediations (with or without counsel);
• File management, including case planning and maintaining spreadsheets and calendars;
• Developing and maintaining a strong and sensitive working relationship with clients, and taking accurate and clear instructions;
• Maintaining strong professional relationships with counsel, partner/defendant firms and courts; and
• Preparing advice, legal research and time recording.

Supervising Solicitors and Volunteers:

• You will have supervision and direct reports of a number of solicitors/graduates in relation to their caseload (you will not have direct reports in relation to administrative and HR matters). It is also expected that you will provide day to day guidance to any other team member (whether they are allocated to assist you in your matters or on their own matters) with their duties and responsibilities, including paralegals and volunteers.
• NJP is involved in various University clinical placements throughout the year. NJP staff may be required to represent NJP and participate in the clinics, including in the allocation of work, provision of training and providing supervision and feedback to the students.

KEY CONTACTS

You will report to the Principal Solicitors on a regular basis in relation to your caseload, leave requests and other matters.

KEY BENEFITS

• Working within a small team of passionate, dedicated and skilled advocates.
• Flexible work conditions.
• Career and professional development opportunities.
• Not-for-profit FBT salary packaging to reduce your tax liability and maximise take-home pay.
• Access to personal counselling and other wellbeing options.

NEXT STEPS

The NJP strongly encourages Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse lawyers to apply.

All questions should be sent to [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Solicitor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Early applications will be considered. The start date of the position is flexible for the right candidate, but we are hoping to have the successful applicant commence by mid-September 2024.

National Justice Project | Fearlessly fighting injustice

A position description is attached.