We are looking for a creative solicitor with a solid foundation in the practice of criminal law, to join our team at Climate Defenders Australia (CDA). The successful applicant will be an experienced and confident advocate in court, particularly at the Magistrates Court or Local Court level, and have the ability to work with limited supervision. In addition to maintaining carriage of a diverse criminal law practice, you will also have the ability to deliver community legal education as well as to furnish advice and perform civil litigation in areas related to human rights and protest.

While most of our team operate in NSW, we are welcoming applicants who are located anywhere in Australia. The role can be performed remotely for the right candidate with acknowledgement that the solicitor will need to travel to court. The solicitor reports to the Special Counsel.

About Climate Defenders Australia

Climate Defenders Australia (CDA) is a first-of-its-kind not-for-profit community legal service that specialises in defending frontline climate and environmental defenders. While our office is based in Sydney, we work across Australia, principally in the areas of criminal law, administrative and constitutional law, tort law, anti-discrimination and human rights law.

We also assist defenders who want to hold governments and police accountable for their actions by using courts and other mechanisms like complaints to regulators and authorities, as well as responding to Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP).

In addition to legal practice, CDA also provides legal information, education and other related support to the community to advance and protect the natural environment. In this way also, CDA advocates for law reform in areas relevant to its legal practice, consistent with its charitable purpose.  

Our Sydney team operate from a co-workspace in the Sydney CBD with options to work from home when not in court or meetings. The role requires travel. The employment conditions for our team members are above industry standards.  This is a 1 year-fixed term contract (with a view to permanency subject to funding and performance thereafter). 

Key duties and accountabilities

Legal 

• Conduct criminal law matters in all jurisdictions around Australia. 
• Appear as an advocate in the Magistrate/Local and County/District Courts. 
• Instruct counsel to appear in superior courts. 
• Exercise sound forensic judgment to give advice in a timely manner. 
• Assist in civil litigation and advice work.
• Flexibility in work practice to manage multiple competing tasks and know when to seek supervision and assistance.

Leadership and  Strategy 

• Foster strong and collaborative engagement with clients, members and stakeholders across the legal assistance sector. 

Advocacy and policy 

• Assist with CDA’s law reform advocacy. 

• Prepare and present legal education. 

• Collaborate to implement communications and media strategies. 

Governance 

• Observe all legal ethical requirements to ensure the ongoing safety of CDA as a law practice. 

People and culture 

• Promote a respectful and collaborative workplace with a values driven culture. 
• Model good practice in managing workload. 

Accounting and Finance 

• Record time for reporting purposes. 

selection criteria

Essential

1. Demonstrated commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, climate and social justice, demonstrated through lived experience and/or prior employment. 
2. A law degree and admission to practice in an Australian jurisdiction.  
3. At least two years post-qualification legal experience in criminal law including as an advocate in the Magistrate/Local and County/District Courts. 
4. Developed oral and written communication skills, including an ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds with confidence and respect. 
5. Ability to work autonomously under pressure, manage time and prioritise effectively. 

Desirable

1. Experience working directly with communities and clients experiencing human rights violations. 
2. Experience working in the not-for-profit sector or working with public interest litigation.
3. Experience in conducting civil litigation including in at least one of the following practice areas: defamation, police accountability, tort law, administrative law or human rights and anti-discrimination law. 

Personal attributes

• Integrity: Exercise sound judgment to make ethical decisions in accordance with legal professional ethics obligations. 
• Collaborative, curious and courageous: Your instinct is to engage with other people in your work, collaborate and network. You will work with us and the movements within which we operate. 
• Emotional intelligence: You have strong communication skills and can communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and meet them where they are. 
• Sound and decisive judgment: You are calm and exercise sound and decisive judgment when decisions need to be made. You seek support when needed but can make calls yourself. 
• Creative: You are not afraid to think creatively about the law. 

Commitment to safety  

• Commitment to working cooperatively and respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations and to being guided by their vision, experiences, perspectives, and expertise. Commitment to ensuring that Aboriginal people feel welcome and culturally safe working in and with CDA. 
• Commitment to increasing the diversity of CDA at all levels, especially racial and cultural diversity. 
• Commitment to delivering a safe working environment for all staff which is attentive to the risks of burnout and vicarious trauma associated with criminal law practice. 

If you have any questions please contact Stacey Ella, Special Counsel by email at [email protected] using the subject line: Solicitor enquiry via EthicalJobs.