This role is ideal for a Junior Lawyer looking to build their career, wanting to work in a mission-driven organisation with a collaborative team, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance and enjoying a rural lifestyle just an hour's drive from a major city.

About Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre

Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre provides vital legal advice, representation, and advocacy to disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals living in the Wheatbelt. We are dedicated to delivering quality, accessible and responsible legal services to the Wheatbelt.

The Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre is located in picturesque town of Northam

Northam is just over an hour from Perth, Western Australia’s Capital. It is the largest inland town in Western Australia, situated in the picturesque Avon Valley. Home to approximately 7,000 people, Northam offers a blend of historical charm, modern amenities, and a vibrant community spirit. The town is rich in cultural heritage, with various recreational facilities, scenic parks, and heritage sites.

Northam boasts a relaxed, country-town atmosphere with all the conveniences of a larger town. It has a strong sense of community, active local events, and numerous sports and recreation facilities. The town provides a balanced lifestyle with rural and urban benefits, making it an attractive place for professionals and families.

About the Role

As a Junior Lawyer you will:

• Undertake the provision of professional, high quality legal advice and representation to clients in areas of family law, family violence matters, minor criminal, minor civil and criminal injuries compensation matters.
• Undertake travel to various communities within the Wheatbelt to carry out legal assistance and education on a regular basis (may include overnight stays on occasion).
• Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional legal education programs and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and provide guidance and leadership to Wheatbelt community/stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• In accordance with Wheatbelt CLC’s strategic and operational plans, provide advice, referrals, casework assistance, legal representation, law reform and community legal education, throughout the Wheatbelt region.
• To appear as solicitor and counsel in all courts as required.
• To work with the Principal Lawyer to ensure that all legal work undertaken by Wheatbelt CLC complies with the requirements of the Legal Profession Act 2008, Legal Profession Conduct Rules WA 2010, Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements and Wheatbelt CLC’s policies and practice standards.
• Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional development programs and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and members of the Community.
• Contribute to the collaborative relationship between Legal Aid WA, Community Legal Centres WA and other community organisations with whom Wheatbelt CLC interacts.
• Maintain effective file and diary management systems, administrative systems and procedures and quality assurance procedures as well as maintain statistics and other records required by funding bodies; and
• Maintain and facilitate Wheatbelt CLC’s role within the community and public profile through the preparation of media releases and articles, presentation at meetings, seminars and conferences, and represent Wheatbelt CLC in public forums.

A position description is attached.