The Role

We are recruiting for a Senior Lawyer to manage and lead the QCAT office of our Court and Tribunal Services. The Senior Lawyer will be supported by a Lawyer and a Paralegal.

About LawRight

LawRight uses strategic pro bono to deliver free assistance in civil law matters to people in Queensland who cannot afford legal help. LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services (CTS) is a statewide service that assists individuals, primarily self-represented litigants, with proceedings in the

• District Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal
• Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
• Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT)

LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services coordinates pro bono resources to provide unbundled legal assistance, pro bono referrals and mediations, and representation in selected matters. The QCAT office assists with the following matters in the QCAT jurisdiction:

• Reviews of government decisions about:
  • Blue Cards;
  • Disability Worker Screening;
  • Child Safety;
  • Victims Assist;
  • State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER); and
  • Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA);
• Guardianship and administration;
• Anti-discrimination;
• Right to Information and Information Privacy;
• Disciplinary matters for health practitioners; and
• Appeals and reopenings.

The Senior Lawyer – QCAT will manage LawRight’s QCAT office and be responsible for all casework related to the above practice areas. Although we have a broader practice area as outlined above, the current priority areas for the QCAT office are reviews of decisions about Blue Cards, Guardianship and Anti-Discrimination.

Key accountabilities

• Conduct and supervise legal casework in the QCAT office, including managing client intake, undertaking case assessment, providing advice to clients, providing support to volunteer lawyers and barristers;
• Manage LawRight’s QCAT office;
• Supervise a lawyer, paralegal and volunteers within the QCAT practice;
• Engage with stakeholders in the delivery of services to clients, including QCAT and its members, registry staff, government and community agencies; and
• Contribute to research and policy development.

Skills and capabilities

• Knowledge of QCAT rules and procedures, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge;
• Litigation experience an advantage;
• High level spoken and written communication skills;
• High level organisational and computer skills;
• Flexibility and initiative suitable for working in a team environment with limited resources; and
• Strong commitment to access to justice and compassion for marginalised and vulnerable members of society and an interest in issues confronted by self-represented litigants.

Other requirements for the role

• Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland or capable of immediate admission.
• Holder of current unrestricted QLS Practicing Certificate (or interstate equivalent).
• Minimum 3 years post-admission experience desirable.

Remuneration and benefits

As LawRight is a public benevolent institution staff are eligible to salary sacrifice a portion of their base salary (currently capped at $30,000) and ‘meal entertainment’ expenses.

• 6 weeks of annual leave per annum plus leave loading as well as additional paid leave during the Christmas closure
• Long service leave available after 6 years of continuous service
• Full time staff work a 36.25 hour week and we offer flexible working arrangements with the ability to work from home on agreed days
• Contract until 30 June 2025 with hope for extension subject to funding. The position is planned as a full-time role but requests for part-time will be considered (with a preference for at least 4 days per week).

A position description is attached.

Questions about the role and applications can be directed to [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Lawyer - Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Office enquiry via EthicalJobs.

LawRight encourages First Nations applicants, people from diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities to apply and seeks to be an inclusive and welcoming employer.