Senior Solicitor - Family Law Advocacy & Guidance Services (Flags) Program

Community Justice Services SA (CJSSA) is a non-for-profit organisation that provides free legal assistance to disadvantaged and vulnerable clients residing in the southern, southeast and Riverland regions. CJSSA operates from three office locations at Christies Beach, Mount Gambier, and Berri. 

CJSSA is one of the largest Community Legal Centre’s in South Australia and funded by both the Commonwealth and State Attorney-Generals’ Departments. CJSSA has been funded to provide specialized Family Law and Disaster Legal Services to the community.

The Service assists people in all Family Law areas including representation, advice, and referrals, Child Protection, Criminal Law, and Civil matters (e.g. employment, debt recovery, motor vehicle property damage and contract disputes). You will be mentoring the Centre’s general legal team to provide high quality and timely legal services predominantly in Family Law. 

A current vacancy exists for a Senior Solicitor with the Family Law Advocacy & Guidance Services (FLAGS) pilot program for a 12-month contract (maternity leave) based at our Christie's Beach office. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Solicitor will provide quality and timely legal services to vulnerable and disadvantaged clients across all CJSSA office sites including Christies Beach, Mount Gambier and Berri as well as visit a range of outreach locations. 

The Senior Solicitor will mentor and assist the principal solicitor, as required, to supervise the legal team members. This includes the following: -

• Assist in the delivery of legal advice, casework, representation, and assistance that ensures the provision of accessible services of a high standard.
• Ensure effective supervision of the legal team including all lawyers, volunteers, placement students and paralegals.
• Conduct client consultations and provide legal advice, on-going representation, and assistance that ensures the provision of accessible services of a high standard. 
• Expertise in court advocacy and representation to negotiate legal matters in a professional and conciliatory manner.
• Assist the Principal Solicitor in the development of new initiatives relating to the legal practiceand the professional development of the practice.
• Assist the CEO in maintaining and developing key relationships and partnerships with stakeholders.
• Monitor, approve and streamline legal practice procedures and implement clear guidelines for best practice in service provision.
• Ensure CJSSA’s legal team complieswith Community Legal Centres Australia’s Risk Management Guide and Professional Indemnity Scheme requirements.
• Develop and deliverthe provision of community legal education as required.
• Apply principles of equity and justice in client service provision.
• Undertake training and professional development as necessary through attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences, professional liaison as required.

Selection Criteria for Senior Solicitor

Essential

• Hold or be eligible to hold an unrestricted practicing certificate in South Australia, authorising practice as a principal of a law practice.
• 5+ years post-admission experience predominantly in Family Law.
• Well-developed management and organisational skills including demonstrated experience in working effectively in and supervising a small team.
• High level of resilience and emotional intelligence.
• Proactively manage own care and workload.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to travelintrastate on a regular basis.
• A current and valid Driver’sLicence.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to social justice principles, understanding of the legal assistance sector and a commitment to CJSSA’s vision and value. 

 Desirable

• Experience in community-based, non-for-profit organisations.
• Have a commitment to improving the personal and social situation of people from financially and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

COMMUNITY JUSTICE SERVICES SA 

Values

• Justice – access, equity, and empowerment. 
• Innovation/Entrepreneurship/Adaptability – encouraging and implementing new solutions, through collaborations and strategies. 
• Compassion – supportive and showing empathy. 
• Advocacy – being a voice to those who cannot advocate for themselves. 
• Safety – confidentiality and providing a safe workplace. 
• Integrity – open and transparent management and governance. 

Key Relationships

The Solicitor will be required to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with a broad range of people and organisations. They must positively represent the Service to the public, community, and other organisations. 

Important Information

All offers of employment are contingent upon: 

• Successful reference checks
• Non-adverse criminal record / police check
• Holding and maintaining Working with Children Check

CJSSA is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment without risk to the health of its employees. 

Salary packaging information

CJSSA employees is optional for all team members at CJSSA and may have considerable tax benefits depending on your personal circumstances.              

• General salary packing of $15,900 per FBT year.
• Meal entertainment of $2550 per FBT year and other possible additional benefits.

Applications

All applications should be sent by email to the Chief Executive Officer at **********@communityjustices.org.au and include

• A cover letter addressing the selection criteria (max 2 pages); and
• Your resume                            

For further information please contact the CEO, Cathy McMorrine on 0412 723 ***