About us

Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas of criminal law, family law and with 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 28 offices.

About the Role

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

• Provide high-quality advice, minor assistance and casework services in areas such as consumer, mental health, human rights, employment, housing, immigration, social security, and/or coronial inquests, or other areas of civil 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.

The role is based in our Tamworth office.

About you

You will be an experienced solicitor who has worked closely with disadvantaged and vulnerable clients.

You will:

• Be able to provide high quality advice and casework services to disadvantaged clients, including representing clients in alternative dispute resolution processes, courts and tribunals
• Possess strong negotiation skills;
• Have experience managing a diverse high-volume legal practice;
• Be willing to work with stakeholders and communities, and deliver targeted Community Legal Education and outreach services, designed to promote access and equity.

We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.

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 an 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] using the subject line: Solicitor - Legal Officer Grade I-III - Civil Law – Tamworth enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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
• have relevant Legal Qualifications
• be able to provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us
• be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check
• hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies)
• current Drivers Licence

How to apply

• You MUST submit your application online via the Apply Now link. Any late application or application by email 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 address the following two (2) target questions below:
  1. Tell us about the skills and experience you bring to the role that are relevant to the provision of Civil Law services to people who experience persistent disadvantage; and
  2.  Tell us about the strategies you use or might use to manage a demanding workload working with clients with complex needs.

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 – Demelza Love on (02) 6766 6322 or email: [email protected] using the subject line: Solicitor - Legal Officer Grade I-III - Civil Law - Tamworth enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

• If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branchusing the subject line: Solicitor - Legal Officer Grade I-III - Civil Law - Tamworth enquiry via EthicalJobs 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