Team Leader Advice Opportunity

Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) provides high quality legal and social support services to women, specialising in the areas of family law, domestic violence, child safety matters, financial abuse legal protection and sexual assault though our counselling notes protect program. WLSQ is committed to the creation of a society in which every woman:

• Is safe from violence;
• Is able to tell her story, have it heard and respected; and
• Receives a fair and just outcome from legal and social welfare systems.

The role is responsible for undertaking direct client services to WLSQ clients, while supervising the legal work, guiding and ensuring the professional development and training of all staff within the Brisbane Client Advice team. This is a new and exciting role due to the expansion.

Key Responsibilities

Supervising a team of employed and volunteer solicitors:

• Manage and supervise a team of employed professional staff including:
  • Developing and maintaining professional develop plans (PDPs).
  • Providing support and consultation for staff on complex legal matters.
  • Management of staffing issues, including legal support staff issues in consultation with the Practice Director.
  • Ensuring the provision of and compliance with mandatory training and Continuing Professional Development requirements to develop the skills of all team members.
  • Review and sign off advices provided by employed and volunteer solicitors to ensure that clients are receiving correct legal advice as a nominated person under the professional indemnity insurance scheme.
  • Coordinate workflows and workloads to ensure the smooth running of the team, appropriate utilisation of people and performance against advice targets.
  • Oversee the provision of quality legal and non-legal work, including conducting quality audits, facilitating team meetings and investigating client complaints.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, induction and training of employed solicitors, and legal support staff in consultation with the Practice Director and ensure that clear performance expectations are set on commencement.
• Develop and implement standards, procedures and templates for use by the Brisbane Client Advice team and volunteers to ensure consistency.
• Develop, deliver and facilitate continuing professional development to WLSQ employees, volunteers and external stakeholders.

Undertaking the delivery of WLSQ legal services as a member of the Brisbane Advice team:

• Provide legal advice and referrals to clients in domestic violence and family law matters during face to face and telephone appointments and on occasions at outreach locations.
• Provide services to women through a trauma informed practice framework.
• Provide legal services in accordance with WLSQ policy and practice according to the Risk Management Guide.
• Provide duty lawyer services for domestic violence matters to designated Magistrates Courts.

Undertaking management and leadership functions in accordance with the WLSQ policy:

• Ensure that the provision of the legal services by the Brisbane Client Advice team and volunteers complies with the laws and regulations governing the legal professional and the mandatory requirements under the National Association of Community Legal Centres Australia (CLCA) Risk Management Guide.
• Advise the Practice Director on issues relating to operational and/or legal risk.
• Work collaboratively with WLSQ social workers and other staff to provide legal information and guidance and to consult with other staff to provide appropriate non-legal referrals as required.
• Ensure risk assessment and safety considerations are routinely and comprehensively addressed in legal work undertaken providing support, information and advice to clients experiencing domestic violence.
• Liaise with external agencies and make client referrals where services are more appropriately provided or should be supplemented through accessing another service.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of community legal education and law reform activities of WLSQ as required.
• Foster a collaborative team culture for staff and volunteers which is professional, productive and supportive and consistent with the WLSQ values and feminist principles.
• Work collaboratively with the other WLSQ Team Leaders to ensure consistency of legal service.
• Any other tasks as requested by the Practice Director.

SELECTION CRITERIA / SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES:

• Eligibility to hold an Unrestricted Solicitor’s Practising Certificate and a minimum of 5 years’ post admission experience in family law and domestic violence, is a requirement.
• Demonstrated knowledge and legal practice experience in family law and domestic violence, including drafting relevant court documents and management of files is required. Experience in child protection and child support is desirable.
• High level knowledge of referrals both legal and non-legal that are appropriate for women who experience domestic violence and family law matters.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work sensitively with clients from diverse backgrounds including vulnerable clients including those:
  • Who may have experienced domestic violence and/or trauma;
  • With a disability;
  • From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and/or
  • From Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and supervising a team of professional and administrative staff, including the provision of performance management and feedback, recruitment and other personnel or workforce requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in delivering legal service and meeting organisational objectives while fostering a respectful and inclusive working environment where health, safety and wellbeing are promoted and prioritised.
• Well-developed relationship management and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to engage with a range of audiences and stakeholders internal and external to WLSQ with the ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of legal and social issues affecting women, particularly the gendered nature of domestic violence.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of WLSQ and an ability to work within a feminist framework.
• Being a woman is a genuine occupational requirement for this position (section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld)).

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

Successful applicants will be required to complete a National Police Check.

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

• In addition to having a meaningful and rewarding career, you will receive $110,912 to $115,536 per annum plus statutory super 11%.
• Generous leave entitlements with additional paid leave over Christmas and New Year.
• Attractive salary sacrifice options.

APPLY NOW!

To apply for this position, click on 'Apply Now' and upload a copy of your cover letter and CV.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this position.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact People and Culture Manager Carrie Zhu at phone 07 3392 0644 or email at [email protected] using the subject line: Team Leader - Advice enquiry via EthicalJobs.