We are seeking a Solicitor to join our Workplace Team at Circle Green. As part of this recruitment process Circle Green wishes to establish a pool of candidates for future Solicitor vacancies.

• Full-time (1.0FTE) or part-time position (0.8FTE) exists for a Solicitor (Workplace) within the Circle Green Workplace Team.
• Additional end of year paid leave, generous salary sacrifice provisions and excellent employee conditions.

About Circle Green

Circle Green Community Legal is a community legal centre providing workplace, humanitarian, tenancy and family and domestic violence legal advice, further assistance, representation, advocacy, community legal education, referrals, outreach, and support.

Circle Green Community Legal services include a state-wide telephone service, face to face client interviews, casework, clinics and outreach legal advice, education sessions, legal resources, law reform submissions, and collaborative partnerships with legal and non-legal organisations.

Circle Green Community Legal is a growing community legal centre offering its staff job stability and development and training opportunities, with clear career progression pathways. One thing our teams have in common is their commitment to accessible justice and social justice.

The Position - Solicitor (unrestricted) (Level 6)

You will be primarily involved in providing comprehensive legal advice, further assistance, representation, community legal education and training, and law reform under the supervision of the Managing Solicitor. You will also be involved in the direct supervision and management of solicitors (restricted), law graduates, paralegals, secondees and volunteers.

Responsibilities include:

Legal Supervision

• Supervise and train restricted solicitors, law graduates, paralegals, secondees, and volunteers;
• Support the supervision and training of unrestricted solicitors;
• Supervise the Intake and Triage team on rotation with other solicitors;
• Review triages, oversee new client assessments, and monitor client intake processes;
• Participate in regular file review meetings for legal staff;
• Provide regular reports to the Managing Solicitor regarding caseload and matter types; and
• Ensure compliance with professional indemnity obligations.

Client Work

• Provide legal advice and casework services, including complex cases, litigation, and court advocacy;
• Provide further assistance to clients in compliance with casework guidelines and policies;
• May be an ongoing point of contact and liaison for existing clients, providing information, and assisting with arrangements for further service delivery in conjunction with the Case Manager and Managing Solicitor;
• Work with interpreters as needed;
• Represent clients in relevant courts and tribunals;
• Provide duty lawyer services;
• Conduct regular file reviews (at least monthly);
• Research legal problems and options;
• Assist the Managing Solicitor in the conduct of test cases, including by undertaking the conduct of test cases; and
• Prepare files for closing.

Strategic Legal Review and Advocacy

• Ensure appropriate compliance with guidelines and policies;
• Identify future legal needs of clients and potential clients;
• Supervised by Managing Solicitor, contribute to law reform and policy change;
• Monitor compliance with all funding requirements in conjunction with the Managing Solicitor and Administration Officer; and
• Liaise with Community Legal Centres and other organisations providing complementary services.

Community Legal Education

• Develop and promote community legal education initiatives;
• Facilitate and present community legal education courses; and
• Develop specialised community legal education resources.

Team Responsibilities

• Implement Circle Green’s policies and procedures and act in accordance with the organisation’s mission and values;
• Participate in Circle Green’s team meetings and planning and review activities; and
• Carry out other duties, consistent with the role, as directed by the Managing Solicitor.

The Person

We are seeking an energetic, confident individual who enjoys a challenge and is interested in making a significant difference to the lives of the people we work with to join our Workplace Team. We are seeking an unrestricted solicitor on a full-time (1FTE) or part-time (0.8 FTE) basis. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a unique specialist community legal centre in the access to justice / social justice space.

Selection criteria

Qualifications

• Law degree; and
• Admitted, or eligible for admission, as a legal practitioner in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and eligible to hold an unrestricted WA practising certificate.

Experience

• At least 2 years’ post admission experience in relevant area of law;
• Supervisory experience; and
• A demonstrated commitment to human rights and social justice issues.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to understand and convey complex concepts to people from diverse social, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds;
• Ability to effectively time manage a high and diverse workload;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and be an effective team member;
• Demonstrated problem solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills; and
• Ability to conduct case work and litigation, including advocacy skills.

Successful applicants will also need a current Full Australian Driver’s License, Working with Children Check, a satisfactory National Police Check and proof of COVID-19 vaccination (or exemption).

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you are interested in applying for a Solicitor (unrestricted) position, please submit a copy of your current resume and a cover letter of no more than two (2) pages:

• specifying if you are interested in a full time or part time position; and
• outlining your suitability for the position in the context of the role.

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered. Interviews may commence prior to the closing date, and an appointment be made, so early applications are encouraged.

Through the selection process, shortlisted candidates will initially be asked to provide samples of previous work and attend interviews. Shortlisted candidates may also be requested to undertake psychometric assessments, undergo criminal history screening and provide information on their work rights in Australia.

For further information, please download the Candidate Information Pack attached below or using the following link. If you have any questions about the positions, please contact our recruitment partners, Talenting: Tara Roopra – HR Consultant on (08) 6219 7102 or by email to [email protected] using the subject line: Solicitor - Workplace - Circle Green Community Legal enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We are also currently recruiting for a Project Manager for the Respect@Work Project, please follow this link or contact Tara at Talenting, if you or someone you know are interested in this position: click here.