About us:

The Law and Advocacy Centre for Women (LACW) is a not-for-profit, Community Legal Centre for women in Victoria. We assist women who are in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system, providing legal advice and representation in the following areas of law:

• Criminal defence advocacy;
• Infringements;
• Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) Applications;
• Intervention orders; and
• Child Protection.

LACW provides a wrap-around service to clients, addressing the underlying issues that have brought them into contact with the justice system, as well as providing legal advice and representation.

Position Overview

The Solicitor is required to provide legal advice and representation to women in relation to LACW’s five practice areas – criminal defence, infringements, VOCAT, family violence/intervention orders and child protection. The primary focus of the role will be in criminal defence advocacy. The Solicitor will be required to work on a range of matters, including in an early-intervention capacity to assist clients who, due to their lack of prior offending or the nature of their legal matter, are ineligible for legal aid. The Solicitor will also be required to work with clients with complex needs, including those with past or current experience of family violence.

The Solicitor will be part of a holistic practice that supports clients in relation to their legal and non-legal needs, which may include housing, health (including alcohol and drug use and mental health), overcoming family violence trauma, family reunification, and financial issues. To this end, the Solicitor is expected to work as part of a team which includes professionals from other disciplines, to provide a wrap-around service to clients.

As LACW is operating a State-wide service, travel will be required for this role, including to regional Victoria. Approved travel expenses may be claimed where travel away from LACW’s offices is required to fulfil the duties of this role.

This is a full-time role (5 days per week, 7.6 hours per day) for a term of 12 months. Part-time hours may be considered. Salary and conditions are in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, the National Employment Standards and LACW’s policies and procedures.

Generous salary packaging arrangements are available.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in providing criminal defence advocacy for vulnerable clients.
• A commitment to the principles of social justice.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A high degree of professionalism and a reputation for integrity, discipline and attention to detail.
• A demonstrated understanding of the legal and non-legal issues that relate to women from diverse backgrounds with multiple and complex needs.
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to work effectively under pressure and comply with tight timeframes.
• Strong administrative skills. Experience in using Victoria Legal Aid’s ATLAS system will be considered favourably.

Qualifications

• A degree in law and admission to practice in Victoria, with at least one year post-qualification experience.
• Previous experience working for a community legal centre or legal aid commission is desirable.
• Membership or eligibility for membership to the Victoria Legal Aid Panels relevant to LACW’s practice is also desirable.
• All offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and the successful applicant must provide a current Working with Children Check prior to commencement.

A position description is attached.