Lawyer & Lawyer (Outreach) - Northam and Perth

Location: Northam and Perth

We are seeking a Lawyer and Lawyer (Outreach) to work within the Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre team.  

Salary (Lawyer): $85-$100k pa depending on experience plus superannuation, accommodation, relocation allowance, generous salary sacrifice provisions, and practising certificate & CPD opportunities.

Contract – until June 2025 at 1.0 FTE

The full-time Lawyer role is based in Northam. 

Salary (Outreach Lawyer): $80-$100k pa depending on experience plus superannuation, generous salary sacrifice provisions, and excellent employee conditions.

Contract – until June 2025 at 0.6-0.8 FTE (20-30 hours per week)

The part-time Lawyer (Outreach) role is based in Perth and services the Moora and Narrogin communities. The successful applicant will be required to travel to each community for 2-3 nights per month to provide face-to-face legal services.

About Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre

Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre is small but dynamic Legal Centre offering legal advice, representation and advocacy to disadvantaged and vulnerable people living in the Wheatbelt. We are seeking a passionate and experienced lawyer to join our team and to deliver on our strategic focus – to provide quality, responsible and accessible legal services to the Wheatbelt. 

About the Roles

The Position

The successful applicants will be required to undertake the provision of professional and high-quality legal advice and court representation to clients in the areas of family law, family violence, and general civil and criminal. The roles also involve the facilitation of community engagement and the development and maintenance of education initiatives delivered to both individuals and the wider community (including the online community). You will also be required to maintain and extend existing community service and agency networks. 

Responsibilities include:

In accordance with Wheatbelt CLC’s strategic and operational plans, provide advice, referrals, casework assistance, legal representation, law reform and community legal education, throughout the Wheatbelt region;

To appear as solicitor and counsel at the Regional Magistrates Courts as required, including final hearings;

To work with the Principal Lawyer to ensure that all legal work undertaken by Wheatbelt CLC complies with the requirements of the Legal Profession Act 2008, Legal Profession Conduct Rules WA 2010, Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements and Wheatbelt CLC’s policies and practice standards;

Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional development programs and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system and members of the Community;

Contribute to the collaborative relationship between Legal Aid WA, Community Legal WA and other community organisations with whom Wheatbelt CLC interacts; 

Maintain effective file and diary management systems, administrative systems and procedures and quality assurance procedures as well as maintain statistics and other records required by funding bodies; 

Maintain and facilitate Wheatbelt CLC’s role within the community and public profile through the preparation of media releases and articles, presentation at meetings, seminars and conferences, and represent Wheatbelt CLC in public forums.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be adjusted periodically after review and consultation. The incumbent will also be expected to carry out any reasonable duties, which may be requested from time-to-time. 

Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

• Hold an unrestricted legal practice certificate in Western Australia.
• Demonstrated 2 + years’ experience in the provision of all aspects of legal service delivery including representation, casework and advice in community-based areas of law, specifically the areas of family law, family violence, criminal law, minor civil and criminal injuries compensation. 
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with clients and other persons from diverse backgrounds. 
• Experience in working collaboratively and effectively within a small team environment as well as with other community service providers, 
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office (MS Word, Excel, Outlook) to a legal practice and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of Wheatbelt CLC’s client database; 
• Current driver’s licence (class c) 

Successful applicants will also need a satisfactory National Police Check and Working with Children Check.

Application Process

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

• outlining your suitability for the position in the context of the role and 
• which role you are applying for.

Applications close by 11.59pm, Sunday 23rd October 2022. Applications that 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 from the Talenting website using the following link: http://www.talenting.com.au/careers/. If you have any questions about the position, please contact our recruitment partners, Talenting: Taryn Landless – Consultant on (08) 6244 3222 or by email: recruitment@talenting.com.au