About us

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) established the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community Legal Service in 2015 (a semi-autonomous operation for Tasmania) to deliver culturally appropriate legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Tasmania. We have offices in Hobart and Launceston and deliver legal services State-wide to all courts.

VALS was established as a community-controlled organisation in 1973 to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the criminal justice system. The organisation has a long and proud history of providing legal and service support for Aboriginal Victorians who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing negative contact with the justice system and advocating locally, nationally and internationally for the rights of Aboriginal people.

We strive to:

• Promote social justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
• Promote the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to empowerment, identity and culture;
• Ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enjoy their rights, are aware of their responsibilities under the law and have access to appropriate advice, assistance and representation;
• Reduce the disproportionate involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the criminal justice system; and
• Promote the review of legislation and other practices which discriminate against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The organisation has grown over the years (with further expansion options being pursued) and now offers criminal, family and civil law services, client services support, community legal education and a range of community justice support programs.

About the role

We are seeking a suitably experienced lawyer with a background in criminal law (summary and indictable crime) and family violence and restraint orders. You will appear as an advocate in various courts including the Magistrate’s and Supreme Courts of Tasmania, in criminal and family violence and restraint order matters. To be successful in this role you must have at least 12 months post admission experience.