If you are committed to equal justice for people battling mental health and addiction issues, we have a compelling opportunity for you to contribute to the success of health justice partnerships in Victoria.

Employ your diligent legal administrative skills at First Step Legal, and you will be making a vital contribution to a compassionate health justice partnership embarking on two new outreach programs with The Alfred and Star Health, and known for innovative excellence in its care for people battling mental health and addiction issues.

About First Step Legal

First Step Legal (FSL) operates as a Health Justice Partnership (HJP) within First Step, a not for profit mental health and addiction clinic in St Kilda.  FSL is a unique Community Legal Centre providing pro bono, legal advice and representation to among the most marginalised in the community, in way that is truly innovative.

FSL scaffolds support around clients struggling with mental health and addiction, by achieving legal and court outcomes supportive of their continued recovery and rehabilitation in the community. FSL deliver their clients the benefit of co-location, clear and simple referral pathways and truly integrated case management.

A holistic approach and our continuing efforts to champion HJPs and therapeutic, compassionate legal practice via. law reform and advocacy opportunities uniquely positions us to embark on two new outreach programs with The Alfred and Star Health.

This period expansion will see FSL’s small team of two part-time lawyers, an administrative case manager and several volunteer paralegals, grow in numbers and continue to work with impact predominately in relation to criminal law and family violence matters.  Assistance is also provided with infringement, debt and other matters on an ad hoc basis. 

About the Role

You will work alongside a Legal Case Manager, who provides key practice management support for lawyers and co-ordinates and allocates administrative project and client tasks to volunteer law students. 

You will provide legal administrative support in predominantly criminal and family law matters including file management inclusive of assistance with the implementation of the Data Transition Project, with support from the Federation of Community Legal Centres (FCLC). This project will see FSL transition to Action Step (a document management suite) to ensure compliance with CLSP funding guidelines.

To learn about First Step Legal, visit https://www.firststep.org.au/first_step_legal.

Please see the attached position description for more information.

For further information please contact Madeline Kelly (M,W,F) via mobile: 0490 039 914 or email at [email protected], using the subject line: Legal Administrator enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Salary and Conditions

This is a Part-time position (0.6 FTE, 22.5 hrs per/week subject to negotiation) for a fixed term of two years. The continuation of this role is contingent on securing ongoing funding and is subject to a 3-month probationary period.  Conditions are set out under the HCSSP Award. Salary is negotiable, subject to skills and experience.