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Solicitor Team Leader

Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service

About the business

QIFVLS is a state-wide Community Legal Practice with offices across 8 regions in Queensland. We are a not-for-profit organisation that provides free legal services, including court and tribunal representation, welfare support, advocacy and community education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims or survivors of family violence and/or sexual assault.

About the role

The Solicitor Team Leader is responsible for providing mentoring, guidance and support to staff within a legal service delivery team location and provides high level quality legal representation and advice to clients, in family law, child protection, domestic and family violence, victim’s assistance application and related minor civil matters, including the delivery of CLE activities.

About you

You will have strong and demonstrated advocacy experience and a sound knowledge of Family Law, Child Protection, Domestic & Family Violence law and victims’ assistance applications. You will also have a minimum of 4 years post admission experience.

You will also possess a current Open Drivers Licence and you must be eligible to work in Australia.

A cultural appreciation/understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is essential or having worked previously with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients would be advantageous.

  • Oversee the day-to-day functions of the designated regional office to ensure quality standards in relation to the general administration of the Office and report on issues to the PLO or DPLO (as the case may be).
  • Provide support, guidance and mentoring within the designated regional office Team to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are victims/survivors of domestic and family and/or sexual assault are provided with quality legal advice, legal representation and ongoing case work as well as non-legal supports.
  • Lead the designated regional office Team by example in building and maintaining stakeholder relationships as well as treating stakeholders and colleagues with courtesy and respect, encouraging and fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.
  • Supports the PLO or DPLO (as the case may be), in the establishment and maintenance of stakeholder relationships across the regions through effective communication, negotiation and issues management to engage stakeholders and ensure project deliverables are met.
  • At the direction of the PLO or DPLO (as the case may be), represent either the PLO or DPLO at delegated committees and working groups.
  • Provide support to the PLO or DPLO (as the case may be) in relation to ensuring that best practices are adopted in relation to legal risk management.
  • Monitor and report to the PLO or DPLO (as the case may be) on any general legal service delivery compliance issue(s).
  • At the direction of the PLO or DPLO (as the case may be), draft and/or contribute to business tenders and legal submissions.

Operational Functions:

  • Provide legal advice, legal representation and advocacy in a culturally meaningful manner.
  • Prepare and/or instruct in court and tribunal, and other hearings in the Magistrates Court, Family Court, Federal Circuit Court (FCC) and (where applicable) the Domestic Violence Specialist Court, and other places as required. Preparation includes-
  • Ensuring that all documentation is filed and served within legislative and court directed time frames
  • Assessing evidentiary material for admissibility and appropriate resolution including assessments of merit
  • Undertaking legal research, consultation and liaison to gather information on specific issues
  • Provision of written and verbal advice and analysis to clients
  • Preparing accurate and comprehensive file notes on legal issues arising out of files, including providing legal advice within agreed time limits
  • Managing a range of interpersonal interactions both internal and external.
  • Interpreting and applying legislation.
  • Manage allocated files to comply with NACLC Risk Management Guide and QIFVLS operating and legal case management Guide.
  • Ensure that cases are competently, efficiently and expeditiously prepared and properly presented.
  • Pursue resolution of individual allocated cases in a proactive manner at all stages of the process ensuring that the best interests of the client are met.
  • Take into account the needs of victims in accordance with the relevant legislation.
  • Provide and support appropriate client referrals to the CMST in consultation with the LSO Team Leader/ LSOs for high needs or vulnerable clients, applying a holistic support approach.
  • Collaborate with the CMST where the legal service delivery client has been referred to the CMST, throughout the entire case management process.
  • Treat clients and colleagues with respect and tact, bearing in mind individual needs, and ensuring confidentiality at all times.
  • Promptly respond to all written and oral communications from clients, external parties and stakeholders.
  • Ensure that all paper and electronic files are up-to-date and accurate, and your file register is maintained.
  • Ensure that all client files and other documents are well organised and displayed, and comply with all internal and external procedures and requirements.
  • Achieve performance targets and agreed standards.
  • Undertake training and development activities, as recommended by the DPLO and or PLO.
  • Network and liaise with community organisations, men and women’s groups, legal service providers, government departments and community justice groups to enable QIFVLS to effectively promote its services.
  • Represent QIFVLS within the community by attending and presenting at meetings, functions and forums in a manner consistent with QIFVLS’ professional standards and code of conduct.
  • Present and facilitate CLE programs and activities.
  • Regular and extensive travel to deliver outreach legal services to remote communities including attending at circuit courts.
  • Maintain high levels of privacy and confidentiality

Benefits and perks

  • Salary + Super + Salary packaging scheme ($15,899 per annum) + 5 weeks’ annual leave
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Annual QLS Practicing Certification & Ins costs (including CPD conference)
  • Training opportunities (after 12 months’ employment) in the following areas:
  • Independent Children's Lawyer/ Separate Representative
  • Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
  • Advocacy

Questions regarding the role can be sent to [email protected] using the subject line: Solicitor Team Leader enquiry via EthicalJobs.

QIFVLS supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and encourages applications from qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

How to apply

This job ad has now expired, and applications are no longer being accepted.
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