Family Lawyer

Position Objective 

The Family Lawyer will work within the Centre’s family law team to provide high quality legal and litigation services to clients affected by family violence under the Family Violence to Family Law program (FV2FL). The FV2FL Program supports vulnerable clients with family law assistance from commencement of the matter to final hearing.

The Family Lawyer will provide advice and conduct ongoing family law casework for parties who fit within Victoria Legal Aid Guidelines for family law assistance. The case work includes representing clients as the practitioner on record in proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and at lawyer-assisted mediation through Victoria Legal Aid’s Family Dispute Resolution Service.

Key  Accountability Areas 

1. Deliver high quality legal advice and casework, advocacy and representation services in accordance with the PCLC Advice and Casework Guidelines.
2. Conduct ongoing casework in accordance with the Centre’s Advice and Casework Guidelines and within the caseload/file limit directed from time to time.
3. Conduct all casework within the caseload/file limit directed from time to time.
4. Work closely and collaboratively with the Legal Assistance sector, including Victoria Legal Aid and courts to support the FV2FL program objectives.
5. Maintain an appropriate case management system, including undertaking regular file reviews.
6. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including file notes, client and casework data and case studies.
7. Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, procedures and practices relevant to the position.
8. Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant information, resources and referral options for clients.
9. Needs to be confident in effectively engaging and communicating with vulnerable or disengaged people with complex legal needs who may struggle to access legal support.  
10. Participate in regular supervision and caseworkers’ meetings.
11. Ensure that all work is conducted within the requirements of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, the Centre’s professional indemnity insurance and the Centre’s policies and procedures.
12. Liaise with relevant organisations and workers.
13. Represent Peninsula Community Legal Centre at relevant community, government and other forums.
14. Identify trends and issues arising from legal advice and casework practice.
15. Participate in activities which seek to ensure greater legislative and practical protection for PCLC clients, such as submission writing and participation in campaigns.
16. Liaise with and report to the Practice Manager, Family on a regular basis.
17. Assist with collection of data and preparation of reports and other accountability documentation as required.

Selection Criteria 

• Possess, or is eligible to possess, a current practicing certificate including High Court registration with two years post admission practice, including one year of family law practice.
• Experience as the lawyer on record in proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, including appearing personally and instructing counsel for contested hearings.
• Highly developed advocacy skills
• Experience in, or demonstrated capacity to undertake direct legal service delivery, including provision of information, advice and referral services, negotiation and advocacy on behalf of clients, representation of clients in courts and other settings, including FDRS.   
• Extensive experience in family law and family violence with an understanding of the challenges impacting vulnerable community members when accessing the family aw and family violence legal processes and systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to social justice principles, understanding of the legal assistance sector and a commitment to PCLC‘s vision and values.
• Be eligible for the VLA Family Law Panel Accreditation
• Knowledge of VLA Grants Guidelines and ATLAS.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the law and legal system, relevant legislation and procedures and relevant current issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Competency in using word processing and electronic communication programs.
• Holds a current Victorian Driver’s Licence and has access to a reliable and comprehensively insured vehicle.

Organisational Context 
Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is one of 49 community legal centres in Victoria. It operates across six local government area in the south east of Melbourne – Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Glen Eira, Kingston and Mornington Peninsula. PCLC is headquartered in Frankston and has branch offices in Bentleigh, Cranbourne, Frankston North and Rosebud.

PCLC works to empower and support disadvantaged community members of the South Eastern and Westernport region to use the law and legal system to protect and advance their rights and broaden their awareness of their responsibilities. PCLC offers general legal advice and casework services, specialist family law, tenancy, family violence, rooming house and social work programs, and is active in community legal education and law reform work.

PCLC Vision & Values 
Vision
Delivering justice for our community – Promoting and protecting human rights and equality before the law

Values
• Fairness
• Empowerment
• Accessibility
• Respect
• Integrity
• Independence
• Quality

Mission
PCLC will:
• Empower and support disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our community to address their legal needs
• Engage and build an ever strengthening and capable legal practice
• Foster and maintain a network of support for the vulnerable and disadvantaged within our community
• Support families in the provision of services that champion child welfare and safety in the eyes of the law
• Deliver a legal service that builds our community toward building one free from violence

Objectives
 • Deliver high quality and holistic community legal services, ensuring equity, fairness and justice for all
• Actively engage in systemic advocacy, to promote and enhance human rights and ensure access to justice
• Proactively develop the organisation and its employees to effectively respond to changing community needs
• Innovatively and responsively address increasingly complex legal and social issues impacting upon our community
• Demonstrate leadership within our community and the legal assistance sector

Applications for this role are via the PCLC careers portal.  
If you are viewing through Seek or Indeed - please click 'Apply' to be taken to the PCLC careers portal where you can open and download the Position Description.