• Central Sydney
• Full-time/Part-time - Temporary & Ongoing
• Job reference number: 00009N3K
• Total remuneration package: Up to $134,573. Package includes salary ($81,407 - $120,693), employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading. Pro-rata if part-time.
• Contact: Bridget Akers +61 2 4725 4609

About us

Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas of criminal law, family law and every day civil law legal issues. We give legal advice, help at court and do family dispute resolution. We can do this over the telephone or at one of our 27 offices. 

About the Role

A Grade I-III Legal Officer in the Civil Law Division will: 

• Provide a high-quality civil law advice, minor assistance, and casework service to disadvantaged persons in particular, in the area of employment law.
• Conduct an efficient and effective legal practice in accordance with the standards required by Legal Aid NSW.
• Assist people to overcome disadvantaged circumstances.
• Comply with the Legal Aid Commission Act, policies and practice management standards and undertake all related administrative and case management activities.

About you

We are looking for lawyers with experience managing a high volume workload, meeting tight deadlines and representing clients in ADR processes and litigation. You will need to demonstrate your understanding of the issues facing low paid and/or disadvantaged workers. Ideally you will also have a passion for employment law and experience advising and representing clients in this area. 

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!

We are committed to diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.

We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities. 

We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need a reasonable adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you’d like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at [email protected].

Other benefits of working with us 

You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.

 We are an accredited Flex Ready certified employer and are recognised as leaders in the area of flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life.

The essential requirements for this role

You must: 

• be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
• be able to provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us
• be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before you start work with us
• be willing to do a Criminal Record Check
• hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies) 

How to apply 

You MUST submit your application online. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted. 

Your application must include: 

• your resume (no more than 5 pages)
• cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please answer the following two target questions: 

1. Please outline your experience in providing advice and conducting litigation in employment law.
2. Please outline your experience in providing legal advice to people with disabilities, who are culturally and linguistically diverse, who have low levels or literacy or who are otherwise disadvantaged. 

Make sure your application is complete and you have answered all questions before you submit it.

Do you need help to apply?

It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:

• If you have questions about the role, you can contact the Hiring Manager – Bridget Akers on +61 2 4725 4609 or email: [email protected] using the subject line: Legal Officer Grade I-III - Employment Law enquiry via EthicalJobs. 
• If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.
• The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role.
• The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate. 
• Applying for a Role
• Working at Legal Aid NSW