Principal Solicitor - Kununurra, Wa

Principal Solicitor – Kununurra, WA 

Kimberley Community Legal Services

We are looking for an experienced Principal Solicitor to join our multidisciplinary team in Kununurra, working closely with our Chief Executive Officer in managing our East Kimberley operations. This role is essential to our success, and has the responsibility for leading our local legal team, and providing management support to the wider staff present in the local office. 

We are offering a full-time, permanent role with the following attractive benefits:

• A welcoming culture where your achievements are celebrated
• Competitive salary plus 11% super 
• Relocation assistance 
• Generous leave entitlements, above award, at 5 weeks annual leave per year plus paid Christmas closure leave
• One day off in lieu per month
• Professional training and growth opportunities
• Cultural competence development opportunities
• Salary packaging (salary sacrificing) – you may be eligible for up to $15,900 gross salary use which can decrease your taxable income and increase take-home pay, with possible FBT exemptions (please see here for more information: https://www.cbb.com.au/discover-salary-packaging/).
• Flexible working options considered.

Who are Kimberley Community Legal Services? 

We are an independent, not-for-profit community legal service, one of Australia's leading and largest remote civil law practices that predominantly supports aboriginal communities. A multidisciplinary service, offering legal, social work, and financial counselling, we provide a free service to vulnerable community members experiencing disadvantage. We have offices in Kununurra and Broome, with regular outreach to urban and remote towns and communities in the beautiful Kimberley region.

OUR MISSION

To be a dynamic organisation that works with the people and communities of the Kimberley to make a positive difference.

OUR VISION

Dignity, human rights, and social justice for all people in the Kimberley.

WE VALUE

• Empathy and respect
• Dedication and commitment 
• Integrity and honesty 
• Teamwork and collaboration 
• Improvement and innovation

THE ROLE:

Reporting to:                 Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:               KCLS Legal Team (East Kimberley)

Hours:                             8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday

No two days will look the same in this role, but a typical day might entail:

• Coordinating the provision of legal information, advice, assistance, casework, and representation to clients across the Kimberley region.
• Managing East Kimberley legal staff, including performance reviews, professional development planning and delivery, and providing management support to the wider team.
• Providing supervision and review of all casework.
• Coordinating the involvement of our solicitors in community legal education, providing training and support to staff in the provision of legal information.
• Participating in community networks and build/maintaining relationships with referring agencies, key organisations, community leaders, and local people relevant to legal issues.
• Developing and delivering outreach programs and services within a community development framework, including liaison and relationship building with financial services and social work teams. 
• Identifying and developing opportunities for improving the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of legal services and community legal education, as well as, developing a service delivery plan.
• Working collaboratively as a member of the leadership team. 
• Undertaking professional development activities to maintain and enhance your knowledge and skills.

We are searching for someone who can meet most of the following:

• Eligibility to hold an unrestricted practising certificate in Western Australia and extensive post admission experience.
• Well-developed casework and advocacy experience in generalist areas of law, specifically family and/or civil law.
• Experience in a community legal practice setting and/or community-based organisation in remote and rural Australia.
• Proven ability to coordinate legal services and programs.
• Demonstrated experience in the supervision of other solicitors and in managing and developing staff performance.
• Highly developed written and interpersonal communication skills and ability to apply these skills with a diverse range of people, groups, and organisations.
• Understanding and commitment to principles of social justice and to working effectively with Indigenous people.
• Experience in advising and representing people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and in developing and delivering community education programs.
• Personal resilience, adaptability and ability to meet the challenges of remote service delivery.
• Current driver’s license valid for use in WA.

Further desirable criteria

• Completed or open to undertaking a Legal Practice Management Course relevant to either the Private or NFP sector.
• Experience in Legal Practice Management

Successful applicants will need to provide references, a recent WA Police Clearance, current Working with Children’s Check, and their working rights in Australia. 

How to apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter addressing why you would be a great fit for the role. Don’t be afraid to really showcase your talent and potential. We ask that you please submit attachments in PDF format.

Shortlisting and interviews may commence, and appointments made at any time, so don’t delay.

KCLS values a diverse workforce with different life experiences, skills, and backgrounds including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, and people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need a hand with your application.

Have any questions? Contact Sophie on 08 6219 7***, or via email **@kcls.com.au.