• Fixed Term Contract

We are seeking to appoint an Associate to join our Pro Bono Practice Group on a fixed term, 3-month contract. Russell Kennedy has developed a sector-leading Pro Bono practice, with particular expertise in a variety of areas including refugee/migration law and administrative law matters dealing with refugee/migration decisions.

The successful applicant will have 3+ years post admission experience and be joining a close-knit team of dedicated pro bono lawyers, committed to furthering access to justice for the most vulnerable in our community and will be working largely on refugee/migration matters.

The role offers a mix of direct client work, mentoring and supervision of pro bono contributors across the firm, and the opportunity to participate in policy and advocacy efforts to further the interests of our most disadvantaged clients. The successful applicant will receive structured and ongoing supervision by the Pro Bono Partner and two dedicated Special Counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing and advising on applications for onshore and offshore humanitarian visas.
• Acting for refugee and asylum seeker clients in judicial review and torts (medical negligence) matters in the Federal courts.
• Acting for clients in both the Migration and General Division of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in protection visa and visa cancellation matters.
• Providing supervision and strategic advice to lawyers performing pro bono work across the firm.
• Liaising with our community partners and referral bodies.

Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work with vulnerable clients and clients experiencing mental illness.
• Confidence in running litigation matters in the federal courts.
• Proficiency in taking statements/instructions from clients with complex needs.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, including the ability to recognise and resolve complex technical and practical problems.

Experience

• 3+ years PAE.
• Essential:

• • Experience running litigation matters, especially in the federal courts;
  • Experience working with clients with complex or special needs (for example: clients with trauma histories; clients in prison or immigration detention; clients requiring an interpreter; clients with disability; clients with mental illness);
  • Experience in file management, delegation, and supervision; and
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice and furthering the interests of marginalised communities through person centred legal work.
• Desirable:
  • Demonstrated migration law and/or refugee law and/or administrative law experience;
  • Demonstrated torts law (personal injuries / medical negligence) experience; and
  • Experience acting for clients in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or other administrative law review body.

A position description is attached.