ABOUT US

Macarthur Legal Centre (MLC) is a well-established and recognised not-for-profit community legal centre providing critical support in 3 areas of high demand.

• Provide free legal advice, referrals and assistance to people living in the Macarthur region and rural NSW.

• Assist women and children who are victims of domestic and family violence live lives free from fear.

• Assist tenants with representation before NCAT and in negotiation with their landlords.

MLC has been recognised for its contribution to the community since 1987. For more information on our work, please visit ourwebsite.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The PRINCIPAL SOLICITOR will join a highly effective senior management team, reporting to and working closely with the Executive Officer and, when required, the Board. The role will lead the legal team, comprised of approximately 18 solicitors, paralegals and admin support, supported by an Assistant Principal Solicitor and 2 senior solicitors. The team offers an ideal mix of highly experienced, long-standing solicitors and developing team members sharing a common purpose.

Leadership and the team have balanced progress with a high level of expertise, commitment and stability with the departing Principal Solicitor being in the role for over 10 years.

ROLE SCOPE

The successful Principal Solicitor will think strategically and lead collaboratively to:

• enhance the corporate culture of MLC and work towards achieving its strategic goals as a member of MLC’s management team.

• provide overall guidance and direction of the legal service to ensure alignment of values with continuing growth, improvement, quality of service and work culture.

• be forward focused to ensure sustainability, growth and diversity of quality services to meet current and projected demands of clients, staff and the broader community.

• manage key relationships both internally and externally with government & regulatory bodies, professional bodies, funders, community groups.

• adopt a broad centre focus, supporting the 3 service arms and centre wide culture.

• be a leader, motivator and developer of the legal team, providing guidance, management and ensuring, through senior legal staff, that all team members have the expertise to perform well and thrive in their roles.

• champion ongoing change through a best practice approach to professional development of the team, technological advances and broader services.

MUST HAVES

• Legal qualifications from an Australian recognised institution.

• A minimum of 7 years PAE including experience with culturally and socio-economically diverse groups.

• Ongoing professional development indicating currency with NSW legislation and legislative requirements.

• Broad generalist legal experience in some of the following areas including Family Law and dealing with clients undergoing domestic and family violence, Elder law especially wills & estates and elder abuse, Employment Law, Credit and Debt issues, Victim Support and Consumer Law.

• Demonstrated capacity to lead a team of legal professionals involving management responsibility for performance of staff, quality and viability of service, succession and future resource planning

• Experience planning and forecasting, preparing budgets, reports and funding requests for Board & other external bodies.

• Demonstrated a commitment to work for social purpose.

DESIRABLE

Advantageous, though not mandatory

• Some experience within the nonprofit or social sector.

• Experience working with minority, socio-economically challenged and vulnerable groups.

• Some experience as advocate for social justice and change.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Opportunity to see impact from your leadership of a legal team, sharing a sense of purpose with them and colleagues.

• Opportunity to build deep connections with the community, make an impact with clients, grow legal education programs and advocate for law reform.

• Hybrid and Flexible Work Schedule: 4-5 day work week with flexibility around work arrangements.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, development and progression depending on performance.

• Competitive Salary and salary packaging, above SCHADS award rates for level 8.3

If you have key specific questions about the role before applying, please contact Dr Patricia Quealey HR Consultant, in confidence, via email [email protected], using the subject line: Principal Solicitor enquiry via EthicalJobs, quoting Ref No. MLCPS05251 and including your phone number and we will respond.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Macarthur Legal Centre is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to providing an environment where everyone feels respected and valued.