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Solicitor

Law and Advocacy Centre for Women Ltd

About us:

The Law and Advocacy Centre for Women (LACW) is a not-for-profit, Community Legal Centre for women in Victoria. We assist women who are in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system, providing legal advice and representation in the following areas of law:

  • Criminal defence advocacy;
  • Infringements;
  • Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) Applications; and
  • Intervention orders.

LACW provides a wrap-around service to clients, addressing the underlying issues that have brought them into contact with the justice system, as well as providing legal advice and representation.

Position Overview

Working from our Carlton office, the Solicitor is required to provide legal advice and representation to women in relation to LACW’s four practice areas, with the primary focus of the role being criminal defence advocacy. The Solicitor will be required to work on a range of matters, including in an early-intervention capacity to assist clients who, due to their lack of prior offending or the nature of their legal matter, are ineligible for legal aid. The Solicitor will also be required to work with clients with complex needs, including those with past or current experience of family violence.

Terms and Conditions:

  1. This is a full-time role (5 days per week, 7.6 hours per day) for a term of 12 months
  2. Salary and conditions are in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, the National Employment Standards and LACW’s policies and procedures.
  3. Further information can be found in the attached position description.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Advise and appear on behalf of LACW’s clients in the Magistrate’s Court and County Court in relation to criminal matters. Specifically, provide representation for clients in relation to bail applications, plea hearings, contest mentions, adjournments and diversion hearings in mainstream and specialist lists including the Assessment and Referral Court and Koori Courts.
  2. Advise and appear on behalf of LACW’s clients in relation to family violence, VOCAT and infringements matters.
  3. Work collaboratively within a holistic, therapeutic setting with professionals across different disciplines both internally and externally.
  4. Provide supervision to volunteers and students working within LACW.
  5. Maintain, collect and record client information and data in accordance with LACW’s policies and practices.
  6. Attend meetings relevant to LACW’s operations from time to time as requested.

Key Selection Criteria

  1. Demonstrated experience in providing criminal defence advocacy for vulnerable clients.
  2. A commitment to the principles of social justice.
  3. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  4. A high degree of professionalism and a reputation for integrity, discipline and attention to detail.
  5. A demonstrated understanding of the legal and non-legal issues that relate to women from diverse backgrounds with multiple and complex needs.
  6. Excellent time management skills, including the ability to work effectively under pressure and comply with tight timeframes.
  7. Strong administrative skills. Experience in using Victoria Legal Aid’s ATLAS system will be considered favourably.

Qualifications

  1. A degree in law and admission to practice in Victoria, and at least two years post-qualification experience.
  2. Previous experience working for a community legal centre or legal aid commission is desirable.
  3. Membership or eligibility for membership to the Victoria Legal Aid Panels relevant to LACW’s practice is also desirable.
  4. All offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and the successful applicant must provide a current Working with Children Check prior to commencement.
  5. Current Victorian Driver’s licence.

A Position Description is attached below.

How to apply

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