Senior Lawyer

Suncoast Community Legal Service Inc (SCLS) is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to providing free legal advice and referral assistance for the Sunshine Coast community as well as taking a role in Community Education. 

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Lawyer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for social justice, a strong commitment to our mission and values. As a Senior Lawyer, you will provide expert legal advice and representation and contribute to the strategic development of our service. 

Full time, fixed term contract – 5 days per week/38 hours

Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Award 2010 Level 6 (salary sacrificing available)

Position Summary

This position is funded by Commonwealth funding. 

It aims to complement the existing volunteer service that is provided in Outreaches, through the provision of daytime appointments for clients that are unable to attend the evening appointments provided by volunteers.  Additional longer appointments will also be provided for clients with high/complex needs and those needing some limited assistance that cannot be provided in the shorter appointments, these appointments will be available to Maroochydore and Outreaches.

The lawyer will take a role particularly in relation to their expertise in specific areas of law and the demand from the community. They will give legal advice and provide limited casework assistance to clients. They will assist with advice checking and follow-up work at the Maroochydore office, including liaising closely with volunteer lawyers.  

The Lawyer will participate in the Service’s Duty Lawyer obligations. 

Accountability

This position reports to the Managing Solicitor as the Service’s ‘responsible person’. The position also liaises with the Community Lawyer and Administrative Assistant and is fully accountable to the CEO and Management Committee.

This position does not have a responsibility for budgetary or policy decision making. Decisions other than day-to-day operational matters should be made in conjunction with the Managing Solicitor and CEO as relevant.

Duties of all Staff

• To work towards achieving the Purpose and Vision of Suncoast Community Legal Service Inc.
• To work as a member of the team, with other Suncoast Community Legal Service Inc staff and Management Committee.
• To participate in staff meetings and contribute to operational planning processes for the future direction of the service.
• Undertake general administration, be personally responsible for management of own work and time and be self-sufficient in administrative duties.

Key Responsibility Areas:

Service Delivery

• Provision of daytime and some evening Advice and Referral appointments for Family and General Law outreach locations and Maroochydore as required.
• Provision of Advice and Referral appointments after-hours on occasions where volunteer cancellations cannot be filled. 
• Provision of limited assistance case-work services pursuant to organisational policies upon identification of need or referral from volunteers.
• Volunteer advice checking and follow-up.
• Provision of Duty Lawyer advice.

Community Development

• Liaison with volunteer base
• Encourage clients to advocate and negotiate on their own behalf.
• Promotion of the service to relevant agencies and key stakeholders in the community
• Build partnerships with other organisations to maintain effective service.
• Enhance the SCLS relationships with key stakeholders, especially host Community Centers

Social Action and Client Advocacy

• Document emerging issues and trends arising from service delivery.
• Be involved in the wider identification of issues and in developing strategies for dealing with them.
• Participate in Continuing Professional Development seminars.

Professional Development

• Participate in professional development activities conducted by Legal Aid and other relevant bodies to comply with Continuing Professional Development requirements.
• Undertake research to keep informed of changes regarding legislation that affect service delivery.
• Attend workshops to enhance professional skills.

Administration

• Provide written reports on work undertaken to funding bodies. 
• Provide and maintain appropriate statistics for the Service and provide statistical reports to the funding body in the specified format.
• Undertake periodic performance evaluation of the Service.
• Maintain confidentiality and good client management practices.
• Comply with the requirements of professional indemnity claims prevention procedures and insurance requirements.
• Establish and maintain accurate client files in line with organisational policy and procedure.
• Participate in the day-to-day operation of Suncoast Community Legal Service Inc including reception, telephone duties, triage, referrals etc.
• Manage caseload of clients.

Referral Function

• Be aware of additional resources and welfare groups in the community and refer clients to those groups or resources where appropriate.
• Network and liaise with local regional welfare organisations. 
• Maintain links with variety of organisations to ensure that changes in structure, scope and policy are reflected in referral including community based and government services.

Required Qualifications

• Holds an unrestricted practising certificate in Queensland.
• Driver’s license 
• Four+ years Post Admission Experience. 

 Desirable

• A commitment to social justice and desire to provide a service in the community.
• A willingness to share your experience and expertise with others.
• Demonstrated a high level of communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work alone with a minimum of supervision as well as working effectively in a multidisciplinary team. 
• To be an active listener and to show empathy towards clients.
• To communicate advice clearly and sensitively.
• The ability to act as Managing Solicitor 
• Willingness to obtain Duty Lawyer accreditation 
• Willingness to obtain MHRT accreditation.
• Sound computer skills.
• Experience working in a community organization.
• Experience working with volunteers.

HOW TO APPLY 

Applications should be uploaded to SEEK using the subject line: 

Suncoast Community Legal Service Senior Lawyer Role.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter outlining why you are applying for this position and your responses to the key responsibility areas (maximum of three pages)
• A resume with your skills, experience, and qualifications

Applications that do not include the above will not be considered.

Due to the volume of anticipated applications, only successful applicants will be contacted. 

Closing date for applications is Monday June 17 by COB. 

Suncoast Community Legal Service is an equal opportunity employer.

ABOUT Suncoast Community Legal Service Inc

Established in 1984, Suncoast Community Legal Service Inc (SCLS) is a non-profit, community-based organisation dedicated to providing high quality legal and allied services on a fair and equal basis, with a focus on people who are disadvantaged and vulnerable. We provide community education and the promotion of legal rights of people in our Sunshine Coast community. It relies on the generosity of volunteer lawyers to provide the majority of its legal advice and referral services. The organisation is largely funded by the Commonwealth and State Community Legal Service programs and works collaboratively with the University of the Sunshine Coast Law and Social Work Schools. 

Our Vision is to provide Fair and equal access to justice for our community.

Our Mission is to address disadvantage by providing quality legal and allied services to our community. 

We Value respect, independence, effectiveness, integrity, and collaboration.