About our client

This small Sydney CBD specialist practice has a vision of a community where survivors of child abuse in Australia’s institutions are able to speak their truth and obtain meaningful responses from institutions, enabling them to live their lives with dignity, respect, security and freedom from the burden of their past traumatic experiences.

Their aim is to provide a specialist legal service for abuse survivors nationally at no cost to the survivor. They achieve this by either providing advice on a pro bono basis or securing that the costs of representation are fully met by the relevant institution.

Their work is premised on a commitment to justice as a fundamental human right and a recognition that this vulnerable client group face many barriers to obtaining justice, largely due to the impacts caused by the abuse they have suffered as children. They demonstrate this commitment through their professional advice, a contribution to education within the legal and related professions, public advocacy, and collaborative partnerships with other organisations.

Our client is at the cutting edge of innovative and ethical legal representation of their client group and has developed collaborative claims resolution processes which seek to minimise the re-traumatisation which is an inherent risk in legal processes.

This is supported by the integrity, kindness and generosity of their staff, a belief in continuous learning through listening to clients, a dedication to environmentally sustainable products and practices, a respect for the traditional custodians of our land and waters, fidelity to effective and collaborative custodianship of respect and integrity as pivotal values of our society and a pledge to fair and flexible conditions for staff, which recognise the risk of vicarious trauma.

The role

This is a full time role for an experienced solicitor. Key skills and attributes sought include:

• A minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in legal practice.
• Current NSW Practicing Certificate.
• A minimum of 12 months experience in working in a similar role with victims of institutional abuse in either private legal practice or not-for profit legal centre.
• A commitment to working to support victims of abuse.
• A commitment to collaborative legal practice.
• A demonstrated personal commitment to social justice, integrity, respect, confidentiality and sustainable practices.
• High level verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated capacity to prioritise high volume tasks.
• Advanced computer skills including the use of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate patiently and empathetically with a range of people including vulnerable clients.
• A basic understanding of and willingness to learn more about the common impacts of childhood trauma and the key elements of resilient management of vicarious trauma.
• A demonstrated ability to work flexibly and collaboratively including identifying and resolving emerging practice/workplace challenges.

What's in it for you?

The work is undoubtedly rewarding but in addition to satisfying work, the firm offers other benefits eg flexible hours, gender equality, job security, career progression, mental health support within a highly supportive environment with positive communication at all times.

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please contact Jackie Gallo on 0478 725 573 or [email protected] using the subject line: Lawyer Institutional Abuse enquiry via EthicalJobs.

All Applications are assured confidentiality.