About Prolegis Lawyers

Prolegis Lawyers was established in 2001. We exist solely to provide specialist legal services in relation to charities, not-for-profits and philanthropy. We’re ranked Band One with Chambers for Charities in Australia.

Our purpose is to help enable and support the good work of the people and organisations who seek our services. We believe the values of trust, humility, teamwork, reliability, service and honesty applied to a clear and compelling purpose make the world a better place.

Our clients range from large philanthropic foundations, national charities and not-for-profits to smaller organisations operating at a local level to make a difference.

We look after organisations working in local and international aid, human rights, aged care, environmental, and animal welfare. As well as schools, religious bodies, disability services, health services, community groups, and philanthropic organisations.

We have offices in Sydney and Melbourne and work as one team.

Position Summary

We are looking for a full time Law Graduate or Solicitor to join our Melbourne office.

The role will support our work advising charities, not-for-profits, social enterprises, philanthropic organisations, and government entities including:

• Establishment: structure advice and constitutions
• Charity and tax registration and compliance
• Mergers and restructures
• Contracts advisory and preparation
• Funding agreements and fundraising
• Governance advice
• Trusts.

The role will also support our interface with government agencies, such as the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, Treasury, State/Territory Revenue offices and State/Territory Associations regulators.

Our lawyers have close client contact and are expected to work collegiately with all colleagues to deliver excellent client service.

What do we look for in applicants?

Successful applicants are committed to work in legal practice focussed on the social purpose sector.

Our values and purpose are embedded in our culture. We are committed to being a workplace that promotes alignment to those values and purpose – both professionally and personally. They are embraced by our staff.

Experience

While legal expertise concerning charities and not-for-profits is desirable, an ability and willingness to learn is essential.

Either knowledge of, and experience with, or a genuine interest in, the following will also be advantageous: community service organisations, faith-based organisations (including churches and mission organisations), trusts, schools, grant making charities (ancillary funds), overseas aid and development organisations, PBI and other deductible gift recipients.

We welcome applicants without experience in these areas but who are open and keen to learn and genuinely looking to commit to working in a firm focussed on the social purpose sector.

We encourage our lawyers to explore their personal interests through legal practice.

Qualities:

Fit with our values:a successful candidate will embody the values of trust, humility, teamwork, reliability and honesty, and show high levels of accountability and reliability as a legal professional.

Teamwork: a successful candidate will have a collegiate and collaborative approach with colleagues to client and matter management.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills: a successful candidate will possess a deep commitment to client service, humility and the ability to learn quickly and work effectively in a team and with clients at all levels.

Legal knowledge and skills: a successful candidate will:

• demonstrate an interest in our client sector, with an inquiring nature
• have knowledge and experience with (or excellent ability to quickly become familiar with) the laws relating to the types of work listed above with good problem-solving skills: agility and proactiveness
• be technically sound but also commercial and efficient approach consistent with furthering the charitable and philanthropic purposes of our clients.

Organisation: a successful candidate will be able to prioritise and manage a range of matters with different and changing degrees of urgency.

Personal Responsibility: a successful candidate will be self-starting with a strong sense of personal responsibility. They will have the integrity to work well as a legal professional and know when to seek guidance.

Qualifications

We expect a successful candidate will either have:

• A registered Australian Legal Practitioner less than 3 years PQE, or
• Completed a law degree and be looking to complete their Practical Legal Training.

What our people say:

‘Clever and down to earth colleagues with deep knowledge in their expert areas. A values driven organisation.’

‘Prolegis ‘does things differently. We seek to serve our clients in a manner consistent with our personal and professional values.’

‘Working at Prolegis provides a warm and collegiate environment and an excellent grounding in all aspects of charity law.’

‘There are amazing opportunities to work with outstanding clients throughout the charities and not-for-profit sector.’

‘We’re a diverse team of professionals who are deeply motivated to help charities and not-for-profits do good work.’

‘Working at Prolegis is extremely exciting, fulfilling and rewarding. We’re immersed in an environment where everyone is committed to providing clients with quality, tailored legal advice.’

‘Everyone is extremely friendly and personally invested in supporting each another, both personally and professionally. So, if you ever need help, whether as a client or a colleague, you need only ask.’

What our clients say:

‘… professional, considered and a great source of not only accurate and timely legal advice but also tempered with deep understanding of people and life experience. … someone I would trust absolutely in future.’

‘Prolegis Lawyers have undertaken some outstanding work for us in the establishment of the foundation. Their work … has been of an outstandingly high professional standard, of which we are truly appreciative.’

A position description is attached.