SCALES Community Legal Centre is looking for a senior solicitor/team leader with a passion for advocacy and social justice. You need to be committed to the principles of holistic, trauma informed and culturally safe legal practice.

Why join us

This role is a full time position (37.5 hours per week) although part-time applications will be considered for the right candidate.

Remuneration package includes:

• Salary in the range of $105,000 to $116,000 plus superannuation
• Additional above award benefits
• Paid leave during Christmas period shutdown
• Paid Legal Practice Certificate
• Annual leave loading
• CPD training
• Flexible work arrangements available

About the position

As the FVU Senior Solicitor, you will lead a small multi-disciplinary team. The primary focus of the role is the provision of legal information, advice and representation to women at high risk of harm due to family and domestic violence, while ensuring that the objectives of the funding grant are achieved through the following outcomes:

• Wrap-around, intensive legal and non-legal support delivered and targeted to women affected by family and domestic violence with the greatest need
• Legal services appropriate, proportionate and tailored to each woman’s individual needs
• Empowering and supporting women to take action to protect themselves and their children
• Developing and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with other legal and non-legal service providers to holistically address women’s legal and related problems.

The role includes:

• Being the team leader for the family violence service, including solicitors, advocates and volunteers
• Coordinate and manage all aspects of the FVU service delivery including direct client services in family and other law, representation, casework and advice
• Working collaboratively to meet the client’s legal and non-legal needs. For example, family law, family violence restraining orders, criminal injuries compensation, tenancy (private and social housing), criminal law and other civil matters.
• Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Development and implementation of community legal education programs relevant to women experiencing family violence.

Selection Criteria

• Holds, or is eligible to hold, an unrestricted current practicing certificate in WA
• At least 3 years post admission experience in Family Law or Civil Law (Restraining Orders) and a willingness to practice in other areas
• Demonstrated experience in providing high quality legal advice, casework and representation services
• A strong commitment to social justice principles
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience working with women affected by family violence
• The capacity to work effectively, independently and collaboratively
• Well-developed oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Well-developed legal research skills
• Sound computer skills and ability to prepare reports, court documents, and letters
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal women and women from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

About SCALES

SCALES Community Legal Centre is a not for profit association based in Rockingham providing a range of free legal services to the south coastal metropolitan region of Kwinana and Rockingham. SCALES partners with Murdoch University to host the Student Law Clinic.

The FVU is funded by the Commonwealth Government as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2022-2032.

For a confidential discussion about the position please contact Gai Walker on 08 9550 0410 or [email protected], using the subject line: Senior Solicitor / Team Leader - SCALES Family Violence Unit enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

A full position description is attached.