Family Lawyer - SCALES Community Legal Centre
$105,688 - $115,349 + super + salary packaging
Full-time (37.5 hours/week) or part-time considered
A unique opportunity exists for a Family Lawyer (early-career applicants encouraged) to join SCALES Community Legal Centre SCALES Community Legal Centre to support women experiencing family and domestic violence and improve access to justice in the community.
Talenting is partnering with SCALES Community Legal Centre to recruit a Family Lawyer who understands and is committed to the principles of holistic, trauma-informed and culturally safe legal practice, and who has strong emotional resilience and excellent interpersonal skills.
What makes us different?
SCALES Community Legal Centre is a not-for-profit incorporated association based in Rockingham that provides a range of free legal services to the south coastal metropolitan region, including Kwinana and Rockingham. SCALES partners with Murdoch University to host the Student Law Clinic. Legal services include family law, family and domestic violence, tenancy, criminal, criminal injuries compensation, fines and fines enforcement, traffic matters, humanitarian migration issues and other civil matters.
Our Family Violence Unit (FVU) is funded by the Commonwealth Government under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and their Children 2022–2032 and operates from the SCALES Rockingham office.
The FVU provides intensive, trauma-informed and culturally safe legal and non-legal support for women experiencing family and domestic violence, with a focus on those who are most vulnerable and at risk. Our approach recognises the complex challenges people face and works alongside them to support safety, stability and access to justice.
What will you be doing?
The primary focus of the role is the provision of legal information, advice and representation to clients of SCALES on family law matters including women who are at high risk of harm due to family and domestic violence. You will work closely with the social worker, and other staff to provide holistic and wraparound support for clients.
Key responsibilities
* Provide legal representation, casework and advice
* Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
* Develop and implement community legal education programs relevant to women experiencing family violence.
What we are looking for?
1. Current unrestricted legal practicing certificate in WA
2. At least 1 year post restricted practice with family law experience and a willingness to practise in other areas.
3. Demonstrated experience in providing high quality legal advice, casework and representation services
4. A strong commitment to social justice principles and trauma-informed practice
5. Demonstrated knowledge or experience working with women affected by family violence
6. The capacity to work effectively, independently and collaboratively
7. Well-developed oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
8. Well-developed legal research skills
9. Sound computer skills and ability to prepare reports, court documents, and letters
10. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal women and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
11. An understanding of and commitment to the work of community legal centres (desirable).
If you’re passionate about social justice but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.
Why work with us?
We offer a supportive, flexible and purpose-driven environment, including:
* Paid leave over the Christmas shutdown
* Salary packaging up to $15,900 in addition to your salary.
* Ongoing support for professional development, including coverage of practising certificate costs.
* Flexibility in hours, with part-time considered for the right candidate.
* Access to an Employee Assistance Program to support your wellbeing.
* Annual leave loading
How to apply?
Submitting your application is easy! All you need to do is submit the following documents as PDFs:
* a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) telling us why you would be a great fit for this role. Please specify your preference for full-time or part-time work
* a resume including your contact details, education, previous work and volunteer experience, and the names of at least two current referees.
The closing date is 1 May. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and an appointment may be made prior to the closing date, so don't delay!
For a confidential discussion or for a candidate information pack, please contact our recruitment partner, Tara Roopra, on 08 6244 32***or ***********@talenting.com.au.
We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds and encourage applications from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and individuals who may identify as LGBTIQ, with a disability, a culturally and linguistically diverse background and people of all ages.
Please note: The selection process may involve multiple interviews, completion of a work sample and reference and compliance checks prior to appointment.