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 Immigration Lawyer will work to deliver SMLS’ Safe Landing immigration program, supporting victim/survivors of family violence on temporary visas to recover and thrive. Immigration, Family, and Family violence lawyers will work collaboratively to assist victims/survivors to access visas that allow independence from perpetrators and address legal problems related to immigration, family violence, family law, tenancy, and debt.

Within Safe Landing, integrated family, family violence and immigration lawyers work collaboratively, assisting people to access visas which allow them independence from perpetrators, intervention orders to keep them safe, financial compensation to rebuild their lives and family law orders to ensure safer relationships. Community legal educators increase diaspora communities’ understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities while promoting the service and building tailored referral pathways for local community organisations and associations. 

The Immigration Lawyer will work to enhance and ensure collaboration and integration within the multidisciplinary Safe Landing team.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Service Delivery:

• Provide high quality immigration assistance at face-to-face interviews, virtual or by telephone as required
• Provide information, referrals and assistance to clients including preparation and lodging of visa applications
• Appear, as appropriate, for clients in applications and hearings before at the AAT
• Assist in the development of community legal education
• Provide ongoing casework that is highly organised and of a standard of excellence
• Perform all necessary administrative work necessary to manage a busy file load, including accurate record-keeping in accordance with SMLS policies and procedures.
• Participate in strategic litigation and projects as directed by the Principal Lawyer to address systemic legal disadvantage experienced by priority clients in our region.
• Prepare written reports on activities related to allocated responsibilities including the preparation of case studies and other materials for reporting and compliance purposes.
• Apply SMLS casework guidelines governing eligibility for on-going assistance, and the extent of that assistance.
• Provide assistance to clients at outreach locations as required  
• Carry out other duties, as consistent with the role
• Maintain appropriate file management system including highly competent digital interface skills

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Essential Selection Criteria:

• Eligibility to hold an unrestricted Victorian legal practicing certificate with at least two years’ post admission experience
• Knowledge of Commonwealth Immigration law and procedure
• Ability to research and analyse a variety of legislation and policy
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate sensitively and build mutually beneficial relationships with internal and external stakeholders 
• Strong cross cultural communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Selection Criteria:

• Experience providing legal services in a range of other legal areas affecting victims of family violence, including family law, family violence intervention orders, victims of crime and other civil areas of law.
• Experience in conducting casework and giving advice in refugee law and/or other immigration matters and a strong working knowledge of laws, policies, and procedures in the jurisdiction, including the Family Violence Provisions.
• Experience and/or interest in tribunal or court representation
• Experience working in the community legal centre sector or Immigration law firm.

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

For more information please see the attached Position Description.

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

A position description is attached.