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.

about the role

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.

The Senior Lawyer – Federal Courts will manage the Federal Courts practice and be responsible for all casework related to the above practice areas.

Key accountabilities

• Conduct and supervise legal casework in the Federal Courts practice, including managing client intake, undertaking case assessment, providing advice to clients, providing support to volunteer lawyers and barristers.
• Manage the Federal Court office
• Supervise a lawyer, paralegal and volunteers within the Federal Courts practice.
• Engage with stakeholders in the delivery of services to clients, including courts and the judiciary, registry staff, government and community agencies.
• Contribute to research and policy development.

Skills and capabilities

Although experience with our practice areas generally 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 successful candidate is unlikely to be required to act as solicitor on the record for any matter and the role would suit someone with less specific casework experience, provided they have a background in running or working in similar programs.

• Knowledge of Federal Courts rules and procedures, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge;
• Experience in administrative law (judicial review in the Federal Courts a strong advantage)
• 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.
• Knowledge of Federal Courts rules and procedures, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge;
• Experience in administrative law (judicial review in the Federal Courts a strong advantage)
• Litigation experience an advantage;

Other requirements for the role

• Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland or capable of immediate admission.
• Holder of current unrestricted QLS Practising Certificate (or interstate equivalent).
• Minimum 3 years post-admission experience desirable.

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
• 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 can be directed to [email protected] using the subject line: Senior 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.