About SMLS

Established in 1973, South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) is a community legal centre that provides free legal assistance to people in Southeast Melbourne. SMLS provides legal information, advice and case work including representation for people experiencing disadvantage on a range of legal matters, such as family law and family violence, employment law, debt and fines, civil litigation, wills, power of attorney, and tenancy.

SMLS aims to empower and support members of the community to understand and make use of the law and the legal system to protect their rights and to increase their awareness of their legal responsibilities. SMLS is a strong advocate of and committed to the use of integrated service models to address multifaceted challenges facing our community members.

SMLS is committed to advocacy and social change. SMLS is a leader in the provision of community and clinical legal education; advocacy through policy submissions and lobbying; outreach services; and targeted referral programs.

Our Vision 

A fair and inclusive community where people can access the resources, networks and support they need to resolve legal issues and overcome barriers to social, cultural and economic inclusion and participation

Our Purpose

To help resolve people’s legal and interconnected issues and ensure that laws and legal processes are fair.

Our Values

Our core values are Respect, Community, Excellence and Courage.

Position Purpose

The community lawyer utilises their established legal skills to teach students about social justice issues through the practice of law within a Community Legal Centre (CLC) context.

In addition, the community lawyer will supervise a number of law students as they complete their professional practice at SMLS. You will be responsible for mentoring and guiding the students to ensure that the legal work they produce meets the relevant ethical and legal standards, as well as expanding student understanding of social justice issues in our unique and well-regarded clinical placement program.

As part of this placement, you will also be responsible for an independent file load focusing on civil matters and employment law that align to some new programs at SMLS.

Essential Selection Criteria

• Must hold a full practising certificate in Victoria with minimum 3 years post admission experience, with at least 1 year experience without ‘supervision’ status.
• Demonstrated legal casework experience in a range of practice areas with evidence of running matters to completion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and awareness of the legal needs of disadvantaged and marginalised people.
• Supervision experience or a demonstrated ability to develop these skills.
• Working with Children Check or willingness to obtain

For more information, see the attached Position Description.

Any further questions can be sent to [email protected] using the subject line: Community Lawyer (Supervision Focus) enquiry via EthicalJobs.