We are recruiting qualified lawyers (including senior lawyers subject to experience) to join our well-regarded Women and Gender Diverse People’s Rights Program, with multiple maximum term contracts up to 12 months on offer including a parental leave maximum term contract. Part time candidates also encouraged to apply.

This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and to contribute to meaningful work while covering a key role in our team.

The Organisation

Westjustice is a community organisation that provides free legal help to people in the Western suburbs of Melbourne.

Westjustice can help with a broad range of everyday legal problems including consumer disputes, credit and debt, family law and family violence, fines, motor vehicle accidents, tenancy, youth criminal law and more.

Westjustice’s purpose is to deliver targeted services and drive meaningful change.

Benefits & Culture

• Be a part of an organisation that 98% of our team are proud to work for
• We pay 3% above the SCHADs award
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Up to 5 hours study leave per week
• Flexible working conditions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Passionate, professional and dedicated team
• Gifted additional paid leave over the summer holiday period
• Strong focus on wellbeing
• Ongoing commitment to being a diverse and inclusive organisation
• With 90% of our team recommending Westjustice as a great place to work we can provide a culture of a values driven, inclusive, feedback-oriented workplace

The Role

Westjustice is seeking qualified lawyers to represent clients in family violence intervention order proceedings, family law (parenting, property division disputes and divorce), criminal proceedings where they have been misidentified as the primary perpetrator and providing early intervention legal advice to clients being investigated by the Child Protection.

We recognise that family and gender-based violence are serious community concerns that disproportionately affect women, gender diverse people and children. Our vision is for our clients to feel safe and secure. If successful, you will join a high performing supportive team delivering legal services in family law, family violence, criminal law and child protection with an early intervention focus. As we are s29A panel certifiers, we also undertake legally aided casework by applying for grants of legal assistance for clients who qualify under Victoria Legal Aid’s family law, family violence, criminal and child protection guidelines.

This role is primarily based at our Sunshine office and you may also be required to undertake outreach legal services at our key health justice partner sites in the Western suburbs. You will also represent our clients in court proceedings in the Sunshine and Werribee Magistrates Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, as required. From time to time, you may also be required to work at our other offices in Werribee and/or partner organisation sites, depending on Program needs.

Role Requirements:

• Minimum one year post admission experience (Lawyer)
• Minimum of three years post admission experience (Senior Lawyer)
• Demonstrated legal experience in any of our key legal areas:
• Family law (highly desirable)
• Family violence, including duty lawyer (highly desirable)
• Child protection (highly desirable)
• Criminal law (desirable)
• Legal supervision experience (desirable)
• Dedicated interest and commitment to social justice legal practice and improving outcomes for clients who face life barriers in accessing justice.
• Excellent time management and file management skills.
• Advocacy and litigation experience or the demonstrated ability to develop these skills.

Remuneration:

Salary range – $87,000 per annum - $114,000 per annum (dependent on experience) plus employer funded superannuation in accordance with Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth) and additional benefits as listed above.

For more information about Westjustice, please visit our website (www.westjustice.org.au)

Click Apply Now to submit your application.

Alternatively, please call Marta Vezzosi, Program Manager, on 03 9749 7720 for a confidential discussion.

Late applications will not be considered.

The successful applicant will require a current Working with Children’s Check and a Police Check or be prepared to apply for both. Applicants must possess the right to work in Australia.

People with lived experience of the justice system are encouraged to apply. A police check result does not automatically disqualify an application which in each case will be individually assessed for the relevant role. Applicants must possess the right to work in Australia.

Westjustice is committed to building a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTIQA+-identifying people. People with lived experience of the justice system are encouraged to apply. A police check result does not automatically disqualify an application which in each case will be individually assessed for the relevant role.

If you require any adjustments throughout the application or recruitment process please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Lawyer or Senior Lawyer enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

Please ensure that you let us know, in advance, of any reasonable adjustment you may require during any part of the recruitment process including application and interview by contacting Theresa via [email protected] using the subject line: Lawyer or Senior Lawyer enquiry via EthicalJobs. Any information disclosed will be held in the strictest of confidence.

A position description is attached.