The role

We are recruiting for a lawyer in the Federal Courts office’s general practice. We would prefer a lawyer with an unrestricted practising certificate, but lawyers still on a restricted practicing certificate are also encouraged to apply, particularly if you are close to finishing your supervision period.

The Lawyer will support the Senior Lawyer, Federal Courts.

About LawRight

LawRight uses strategic pro bono to deliver free assistance in civil law matters to people in Queensland who cannot afford legal help. LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services (CTS) is a statewide service that assists individuals, primarily self-represented litigants, with proceedings in the

• District Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal
• Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
• Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT)

LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services coordinates pro bono resources to provide unbundled legal assistance, pro bono referrals and mediations, and representation in selected matters. The Federal Courts office assists with Federal Court proceedings, and with migration law and general federal law matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. LawRight does not do Family Court work. We assist with:

• Anti-discrimination;
• Involuntary bankruptcy;
• Competition and consumer;
• Employment law;
• Information privacy;
• Judicial review;
• Appeals from Federal Tribunals; and
• Appeals within the Courts in the areas listed above.

Although we have a broad practice as outlined above, the Federal Court office’s current key areas of focus are employment law, bankruptcy and judicial review.

Other roles available

We are also separately recruiting for an Assistant Director, two Senior Lawyers and Lawyer in our Migration Law practice. View them here

Key accountabilities

• Conduct legal casework in the Court and Tribunal Services’ Federal Court office, including managing client intake, undertaking case assessment, providing advice to clients, providing support to volunteer lawyers and barristers.
• Support a Senior Lawyer to supervise a paralegal and volunteers within the Migration Law practice.
• Engage with stakeholders in the delivery of services to protection visa applicants, including courts and the judiciary, registry staff, government and community agencies.
• Contribute to research and policy development.

Skills and capabilities

Although experience with Federal Court matters is highly desired, our model is centred around making referrals to barristers and working closely with volunteer solicitors to provide legal assistance services. As a result, the role would suit someone with less specific casework experience.

• Knowledge of Federal Courts rules and procedures, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge;
• Experience in the listed practice areas;
• Litigation experience an advantage;
• High level spoken and written communication skills;
• High level organisational and computer skills;
• Flexibility and initiative suitable for working in a team environment with limited resources; and
• Strong commitment to access to justice and compassion for marginalised and vulnerable members of society and an interest in issues confronted by self-represented litigants.

Other requirements for the role

• Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland or capable of immediate admission.
• Current unrestricted QLS Practising Certificate (or interstate equivalent) and 2 years post-admission experience preferred, with more junior candidates also encouraged to apply.

Remuneration and benefits

• As LawRight is a public benevolent institution staff are eligible to salary sacrifice a portion of their base salary (currently capped at $30,000) and ‘meal entertainment’ expenses.
• 6 weeks of annual leave per annum plus leave loading as well as additional paid leave during the Christmas closure
• Long service leave available after 6 years of continuous service (and portable long service leave within the community sector)
• Full time staff work a 36.25 hour week and we offer flexible working arrangements with the ability to work from home on agreed days
• Contract until 30 June 2025 with possibility of extension subject to funding. The position is planned as a full-time role but requests for part-time will be considered (with a preference for at least 4 days per week).

A position description is attached.

Questions about the role and applications can be directed to [email protected] using the subject line: Lawyer - Federal Courts enquiry via EthicalJobs.

LawRight encourages First Nations applicants, people from diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities to apply and seeks to be an inclusive and welcoming employer.