About SMLS

Established in 1973, South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) is a community legal centre that provides free legal assistance to people in Southeast Melbourne. SMLS provides legal information, advice and case work including representation for people experiencing disadvantage on a range of legal matters, such as family law and family violence, employment law, debt and fines, civil litigation, wills, power of attorney, and tenancy.

SMLS aims to empower and support members of the community to understand and make use of the law and the legal system to protect their rights and to increase their awareness of their legal responsibilities. SMLS is a strong advocate of and committed to the use of integrated service models to address multifaceted challenges facing our community members.

SMLS is committed to advocacy and social change. SMLS is a leader in the provision of community and clinical legal education; advocacy through policy submissions and lobbying; outreach services; and targeted referral programs.

Our Vision 

A fair and inclusive community where people can access the resources, networks and support they need to resolve legal issues and overcome barriers to social, cultural and economic inclusion and participation

Our Purpose

To help resolve people’s legal and interconnected issues and ensure that laws and legal processes are fair.

Our Values

Our core values are Respect, Community, Excellence and Courage.

Position Purpose

The Community Lawyer will provide information, advice and legal assistance to clients in matters falling within SMLS’ Advocacy Against Sexual Harassment (AASH) and Family Violence programs and strategic priorities of the Civil Law team. The Community Lawyer will negotiate with other parties and assist clients in mediation or conciliation; engage in appearance work; brief counsel where appropriate and assist senior lawyers in strategic litigation matters. The Community Lawyer will work collaboratively with social work students and financial counsellors in our integrated services program and contribute to SMLS’ policy and advocacy work. This role includes outreach programs.

This is great opportunity for a junior lawyer to learn, develop and gain hands-on experience. SMLS is committed to building strong and transferable skills in new and emerging lawyers.

SMLS is a well-established and highly regarded service, and this role will suit someone who has a passion for social justice and a strong desire to work within the community legal sector.

Position Responsibilities

Advocacy & Casework

• Provide legal information, advice, referrals and undertake case work and represent clients with civil law matters, predominantly in sexual harassment in the workplace matters

• Duty lawyering and early intervention in our family violence team

• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholder services;

• Ensure that all casework files are maintained to the highest standards including appropriate levels of client contact, communication, professional documentation, record keeping;

• Exercise a high level of interpersonal skills in dealing with the public and other organisations;

• Maintain compliance with relevant professional and ethical standards including public indemnity insurance and legal practice.

Position Requirements

Essential Selection Criteria

• Eligible to hold a practising certificate in Victoria with at least 2 years of post-admission practice (no longer under supervision condition)

• Demonstrated casework experience in civil law practice areas, with employment law experience highly regarded

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and, awareness of the legal needs of disadvantaged and marginalised people

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills, including the ability to work well within a team environment 

• Ability to meet deadlines including internal record keeping and data collection tasks

Desirable

• Representation work including court, tribunals etc.

• Demonstrated policy or law reform engagement work

What SMLS offers

•  5 weeks’ annual leave
• Extra days off over Christmas and New Years
• Paid above award
• Cultural and ceremonial leave
• Family violence leave
• Gender affirmation leave
• Professional development
• A culture of mentorship and opportunities for career progression

See the attached Position Description for more information.

Any further questions can be directed to [email protected], using the subject line: Community Lawyer enquiry via EthicalJobs.