Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy.

This is a unique opportunity to join the EDO in a period of growth and rapid expansion, with new solicitor positions for talented and experienced solicitors in 4 of our 8 offices around the country. We are recruiting for either a solicitor or senior solicitor to join the ACT, NSW, Southern & Central Queensland and Tasmanian practices within our new Healthy Environment and Justice Program. These positions report to the Managing Lawyer of the State or Territory practice.

You will have an unrestricted practising certificate, and strong PAE working as a lawyer with demonstrated litigation experience. Forming part of the new Healthy Environment and Justice Program, these positions represent an opportunity to deliver on human rights and the environment in each jurisdiction, and offer a high level of autonomy. Lawyers who think outside the box and want a chance to think creatively about delivering systemic change are strongly encouraged to apply.

EDO is a diverse and inclusive workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are particularly encouraged to apply.

There are various opportunities presented in these locations, and positions will be either recruited as ongoing or fixed term positions.

A Position Description is attached below.

Perks:

• The chance to deliver positive environmental outcomes and develop a unique legal practice within the EDO
• A flexible and family-friendly workplace
• Extra leave over the Christmas period
• 15 personal days per year
• Ongoing professional development opportunities, including media training, as required.

Key selection criteria

Core skills

• An unrestricted practicing certificate or entitlement to one in the relevant jurisdiction
• A minimum of 2 years PAE working as a solicitor including litigation, 4-8 + years PAE highly desirable
• Demonstrated experience in administrative and/or environmental law, within the relevant jurisdiction highly desirable
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make sound judgements and decisions based on consideration of different views
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and to deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills suited to a range of audiences

Substantive experience

• Demonstrated litigation experience in administrative or environmental law and/or related disciplines
• Capacity to undertake law reform or policy, experience desirable
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities and individuals highly desirable

Personal qualities and cultural competency

• A champion of the agreed values of the EDO
• Strong initiative and self-motivation
• Commitment to the protection of the environment and public participation in environmental decision-making
• A strong sense of ethics and understanding of professional obligations
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment.

About us

We are a national, public interest environmental law organisation, the largest in Australia Pacific. Over our 30-year history we’ve developed a formidable track record of empowering communities and delivering effective protection of the environment through legal services.

With the 8 Environmental Defenders Offices around Australia merging in late 2019, we are now entering a period of substantial growth necessary to meet the growing demands of the public for public interest legal services to address environmental and public health issues such as climate change.

For further information about the position contact Director of Healthy Environment and Justice by email at [email protected], using the subject line: Solicitor / Senior Solicitors x4 - Multiple Locations enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Position Description – Solicitor / Senior Solicitor

Key responsibilities

• Provide legal advice, representation and education to EDO communities on a broad range of public interest environmental law issues and disputes.
• Engage in litigation, policy and law reform, and outreach to achieve EDO’s strategic outcomes.
• Comply with EDO’s policies and procedures, and legal obligations.
• Deliver legal services in a culturally competent manner and work with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Supervise the work of volunteers who undertake tasks such as legal research, document preparation, etc.

Duties

• Provide legal advice and representation to the public on a wide range of legal matters relevant to the environment.
• Have carriage of litigation undertaken in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Undertake public education and outreach, including developing online resources and fact sheets, and the conduct of workshops or seminars with a focus on outreach for vulnerable communities.
• Engage in law reform related to environmental law and policy, including participating in government policy processes and by developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.
• Comply with professional obligations.
• Participate in and support EDO fundraising.
• Other reasonable requests made by the Managing Lawyer or Director, Healthy Environment and Justice from time to time.

General

All staff have a responsibility to:

• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of the EDO’s role and policies
• Represent the EDO in a positive and effective manner
• Attend, and contribute actively and constructively at staff meetings
• Maintain appropriate records, assist with office administration, such as files, computer and precedent systems
• Seek opportunities for personal and professional development, particularly related to the team and position’s specific areas of responsibility
• Respond to requests by clients and fellow staff in a knowledgeable, professional, constructive and respectful manner
• Provide accurate and timely data and information for reporting, fundraising and communications purposes.

Note: Senior Solicitors will be expected to work closely with the Managing Lawyer to develop and implement planning for each program, and work with a higher level of autonomy and self-direction. This may include leading on media work, seminars, publications, as well as having carriage of litigation, law reform and advice work.