Family Law / Civil Solicitors

Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement have positions vacant (1 Full time position in Port Augusta and 3 in Adelaide and 1 Part time position at .6 in Adelaide)

The central object of the Movement is to assist Aboriginal persons (especially those Aboriginal persons who are detained in custody or imprisoned) to relieve their poverty, the consequences of their dispossession and social misfortune and to assist further in removing destitution and helplessness amongst Aboriginal people through the use of the legal system of the State of South Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia. (Please refer to ALRM Intranet for more core ALRM Objectives)

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide high quality, professional and culturally appropriate legal advice, representation, information and education in relation to Family Law/ Civil matters.
• Conduct legal matters, including hearings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. 
• Manage and maintain a large caseload of complex files with minimal supervision. 
• Contributing to the development and review of law reform and policy initiatives as Family Law / Civil issues arise.
• Must exercise their own judgement to competently carry out their duties, subject to minimal direction and supervision from time to time.
• Must perform work which is either significant or important or demonstrates a high level of competency in a specialised field or undertake work in the superior courts.
• Are expected to assist and provide guidance to legal officers and/or paralegal advisers employed at a lower classification.
• Can be required to supervise legal officers holding lower classification and/or administrative support staff engaged in discrete operations or at discrete locations.
• Maintain good file management and client notes.
• May be required to perform duties more appropriate to an ALRM L-4
• To understand and apply ALRM and Attorney General’s Department Policies as they relate to the provision of legal aid services to clients.  To assist the Civil Practice Director in meeting accountability responsibilities to its funding bodies and in the development of funding submissions and proposals.
• Liaise with other legal service providers, Federal and State Authorities and other agencies as required.
• Perform such other duties commensurate with the functions of ALRM and this classification, as may be required.
• Role model politeness and professional communication when dealing with clients and the general public.
• Encourage and sustain a cooperative, “can do” work environment.
• Support and work with people with diverse backgrounds, value systems, cultural differences, and special needs.

Essential Criteria

• Admitted for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister of the Supreme Court of South Australia and as a practitioner of the High Court of Australia.
• Normally have (5) years full-time equivalent post admission experience as the minimum requirement or will have held a Minimum of (2) years full-time equivalent years at ALRM L-2 classification.
• Demonstrated experience in the conduct of Family Law /Civil legal practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the impact of colonisation and the Australian legal system on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities and the requirements for effective professional client representation.
• Capacity to manage the provision of legal casework, including higher court work, and to manage legal casework briefed to other service providers.
• Demonstrated experience as Solicitor in providing legal advice and representation in relation to Family Law/Civil matters.
• Demonstrated commitment to efficient and effective culturally appropriate legal services.
• Highly developed and effective interpersonal communication, negotiation, strategic planning skills.
• Capacity to work effectively in an Aboriginal organisation demonstrating respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Cultures.
• Commitment to delivering culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Demonstrated commitment to efficient and effective service delivery and a commitment to a client-centered focus.
• Ability to manage and balance priorities in an environment of high workloads and varied casework and implementing policies and practices of continuous improvement in efficient service delivery.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
• Ability in the practical use of the office equipment and office systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively and share decision making.
• Ability to demonstrate respect, approachability and mediation, consistency and model exemplary leadership qualities and behaviors.

Desirable Criteria

• A sound knowledge of the Care and Protection jurisdiction in South Australia. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Equal Opportunity, Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare standards.
• A sound understanding of the objectives of Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, its services and clients.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the diversity of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Organisation’s Core Values (Code of Ethics) and the Employee Conduct Policy.    

Please direct applications of a one-page covering letter and with a Curriculum Vitae by the close of business Friday 5th April 2024 to: 

 Julie Batt

                HR ADVISER

                Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement

                321-325 King William St

                Adelaide SA 5000

                Email: ******@alrm.org.au