An opportunity for an enthusiastic and diligent Senior Lawyer has become available to join our legal team in Melbourne.

• Base Salary $89,200 + Super
• Salary Packaging Option Available
• Dynamic Team Environment
• Fixed Term Contract until September 2020

About knowmore

knowmore is currently expanding to meet the higher than expected demands on our obligation to deliver legal support services to assist survivors of institutional child sexual abuse to access redress under the National Redress Scheme.

knowmore is a nation-wide, free and independent community legal centre providing legal information, advice, representation and referrals, education and systemic advocacy for victims and survivors of child abuse. Our vision is a community that is accountable to survivors and free of child abuse. Our mission is to facilitate access to justice for victims and survivors of child abuse, and to work with survivors and their supporters to stop child abuse.

Our service was initially established in 2013 to assist people who were engaging with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (‘the Royal Commission’). knowmore was established by and operates as a program of the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC), with funding from the Australian Government, represented by the Attorney-General’s Department. knowmore also receives funding under a grant from the Financial Counselling Foundation.

From 1 July 2018 NACLC has been funded to operate knowmore to deliver legal support services to assist survivors of institutional child sexual abuse to access redress under the National Redress Scheme. knowmore assists survivors by providing information and advice about the options available to them, including claims under the NRS, access to compensation through other schemes or common law rights and claims.

knowmore uses a multidisciplinary model bringing together intake officers, lawyers, social workers and counsellors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement advisors and financial counsellors to provide trauma-informed, client-centred and culturally safe legal assistance to clients. Services are provided through a national phone line and face-to-face services in key locations, supported by a comprehensive program of outreach and community engagement across Australia. knowmore currently has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. 

Role 

The Legal Team will provide high quality legal advice in a culturally safe and appropriate manner within a trauma informed framework in accordance with relevant legislation and knowmore’s practice manual, undertake legal research and prepare and deliver community legal education, working cooperatively and collaboratively with other staff and service providers. 

The Senior Lawyer will hold a minimum of 2 years post admission experience, and will have experience of working with clients who have experienced trauma. 

Location & Hours

This is fixed term contract position and the contract ends on September 2020.

This role is based in Melbourne, with a national focus, regular interstate travel may be required. This position is full time, 5 days per week.

Selection Criteria

• Hold or be eligible to immediately obtain a current unrestricted practising certificate in the relevant jurisdiction.
• A strong awareness of the legal issues facing survivors of child sexual abuse and demonstrated experience practicing in a relevant area or areas of law, experience in personal injury claims may be advantageous
• Demonstrated experience in supervising and assisting more junior legal staff to identify and manage priorities, meet timelines and comply with the responsibilities of legal practice
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a larger multi-disciplinary team of legal and non-legal staff, with the capacity to work flexibly, independently and with limited supervision
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and experience in providing culturally safe services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to identify broader and systemic issues arising from casework and to develop appropriate responses and to contribute to policy development and law reform activities
• Proactively manage own care and workload
• Ability and willingness to travel and work in regional, rural and remote areas
• Capacity to accept and respond appropriately to constructive feedback regarding professional capability and work performance

Benefits

A competitive salary commensurate with the not for profit sector is offered together with the availability of salary packaging to achieve a tax effective total salary package. In addition to being a flexible workplace, knowmore offers 10% superannuation (0.5%above the SGC), a 37.5 -hour working week and 4 weeks annual leave, including annual leave loading.