• Fixed Term fulltime contract (30 June 2021 with a possibility of extension)
• Wagga Wagga Office 

The ALS

The Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Limited (ALS) is a public company limited by guarantee and registered charity. It is primarily funded by the Australian Government Attorney-General's department and managed by an Aboriginal Board and governed by the ALS Company. The Company consists of thirty Aboriginal people from NSW and ACT and Company members are elected for three-year terms and represent their community.

The ALS is one of the largest Aboriginal legal practices delivering legal services to Aboriginal people in Australia. With over 200 staff, we provide information and referral, legal advice and court representation in criminal law, family law and care and protection law to Aboriginal men, women and children in 24 offices across urban, regional and remote NSW and ACT.

The Role

The primary responsibility of the Trial Advocate, Criminal Law Practice (EAGP) is to act on behalf of the ALS in the more complex and difficult criminal cases and will involve:

• Research, preparation and representation of Aboriginal clients in criminal matters;
• Representing Aboriginal clients in the Local, Children’s and District and Courts, and other courts or tribunals;
• Preparing briefs for counsel and attend to instructing counsel.

Your Skills and Expertise

• Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with clients, their families, communities and staff.

• Legal qualifications and a NSW Practising Certificate with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Criminal Law practice.
• Sound knowledge of and demonstrated experience in conducting high-quality carriage of a committals practice combined with serious criminal hearing work.
• Commitment to the principles of social justice and demonstrated ability to represent Aboriginal clients and undertake an advocacy role before Courts or Tribunals.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to provide quality representation in a high-volume work environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to conduct community legal education and to prepare court documents, correspondence, submissions and other written materials.
• Well-developed legal research/analytical and statutory interpretation skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work without close supervision and to manage a diverse workload.
• Demonstrated commitment to the effective implementation of Workplace Health & Safety and Ethical and Diversity practices in the workplace. 

Job Benefits

• 10% superannuation
• 35-hour week
• RDO per month
• 20 days annual leave + loading

Please go to the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited website (https://www.alsnswact.org.au/jobs) or see the attachment below to download the application package for this position. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solicitors are encouraged to apply.