Are you an experienced lawyer looking for work that is meaningful, innovative and focused on achieving better justice outcomes for victim-survivors?

Caxton Legal Centre is seeking a Senior Lawyer to join the new Sexual Violence Advocacy and Legal Service (SVALS), a specialist statewide service delivering trauma-informed legal and social support to victim-survivors of sexual assault across Queensland. The service combines legal assistance, justice system navigation and multidisciplinary support to help victim-survivors understand their options, make informed decisions and access justice in ways that meet their individual needs. 

What makes this role unique? 

This is a rare opportunity to help establish and shape a new specialist legal service from the ground up.

As one of the inaugural Senior Lawyers in SVALS, you will work within a multidisciplinary team of lawyers and social workers providing integrated, survivor-centred support. Unlike traditional legal practice, you will assist clients at every stage of their justice journey, including pre-reporting, police investigations, court processes, restorative justice pathways and related civil law issues. 

You will also contribute to service design, partnership development, community education and law reform activities, working alongside health services, specialist sexual assault services, victim advocacy organisations and consortium partners to build a coordinated statewide response to sexual violence. 

This role is ideal for a lawyer who wants to combine excellent legal practice with systemic impact, interdisciplinary collaboration and survivor-centred justice. 

Remuneration and Benefits  

• A supportive and inclusive workplace
• Level 6 under the SCHADS Awards plus above award entitlements
• $134,611 - $140,356 per annum (inclusive of superannuation)
• Christmas shutdown leave in addition to 4 weeks annual leave
• First Nations staff entitled to a colonial loading payment of 4% on top of their base salary
• 35-hour week of work paid at 38-hour week rate (pro rata)
• Flexible work arrangements available
• 12.75% employer superannuation contribution
• Excellent tax-free salary packing options available (up to $15,900) 

Role Responsibilities

• Deliver legal information, advice, casework and representation to victim-survivors of sexual violence.
• Provide advice and assistance regarding criminal justice processes, victims' rights, civil remedies and other relevant legal pathways.
• Work collaboratively with SVALS social workers to provide holistic, trauma-informed, culturally safe and survivor-centred support.
• Support victim-survivors to understand and navigate police, prosecution, court and other justice processes.
• Attend co-located services, outreach locations and partner agencies to increase accessibility and integration of services.
• Build collaborative relationships with specialist sexual assault services, health services, victim support services and community organisations.
• Contribute to systemic advocacy, law reform and policy development activities.
• Assist with service implementation, quality assurance, reporting and evaluation activities. 

Essential Requirements 

• Demonstrated experience delivering legal advice, casework and representation in relevant areas of law.
• Demonstrated commitment to trauma-informed, culturally safe and client-centred practice.
• Demonstrated experience working with people affected by trauma, violence or complex vulnerability.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and collaborative practice skills. 
• Bachelor of Laws or equivalent qualification. 
• Minimum five years post-admission experience.
• Admitted as a legal practitioner in an Australian jurisdiction and the High Court of Australia.
• Hold, or be eligible to obtain, a current Queensland Practising Certificate.

A position description is attached.