WHO WE ARE

Tenants Victoria is a specialist community legal centre based in Fitzroy, Melbourne, supporting tenants in public and private housing and rooming houses. We provide legal advice, referral and representation to tenants and we advocate and campaign for reform to residential tenancy law and practice. Through our education and training programs we support other community agencies build capability to assist their clients.

As an organisation and with our Board and staff we are committed to working to achieve a more just, safe and equitable system of housing - one that supports all citizens to engage fully in society. It’s an exciting time to join the organisation as there are many opportunities ahead as we build our contribution to social justice and housing reform, including the reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act which will be fully implemented by 1 July 2020.

THE ROLE - SUMMARY

We are seeking a lawyer passionate about social justice and housing equality to join our legal practice team in the Tenants Victoria Legal Service (TVLS). This will initially be a 12 month fixed term contract.

The work includes:

• Legal advice and assistance to individual tenants via our telephone advice line and email
• Legal advice to community organisations and their staff as required
• Casework and Advocacy (VCAT)
• Engagement with policy and advocacy by identification of systemic issues and contribution to addressing reform

WHO ARE YOU?

You are a highly motivated lawyer with minimum two years’ post admission experience. You have a demonstrated commitment to social justice through your volunteering, work or lived experience and are eager to apply your skills and experience to assist tenants enforce their rights.

Specifically, you:

• Are admitted to the legal profession in Victoria (or eligible for admission) and have a minimum of two years post admission experience
• Demonstrated experience in legal casework preferably in at least one of civil litigation; commercial law; administrative law and appeals
• Advocacy experience in courts and/or tribunals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to give practical and accurate legal information and advice
• Excellent inter personal skills and ability to communicate and engage professionally with people experiencing disadvantage
• Demonstrated committed to social justice and a strong community sector
• Sound computer skills relevant to a legal practice environment and willingness to learn new information technologies
• Adaptable, open to change and eager to learn
• Strong attention to detail and outcomes-focussed; calm under pressure and demonstrated ability to allocate priority to competing demands

Desirably you have some knowledge and experience of the housing sector and tenancy law although this is not essential.

Note: Applications from lawyers with less than two years’ experience may be considered depending on specific experience and attributes.