The Law Society Northern Territory (Society) is the peak regulatory body for legal practitioners in the Northern Territory and advocates on both local and national legal policy issues.
The Society is looking for a lawyer to work in a diverse range of regulatory areas and to undertake complaints investigations.
The regulatory work involves investigation, provision of advice and acting for the Society in litigated proceedings, often before the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory or the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. The role also provides guidance to legal practitioners in relation to regulatory and ethical enquiries.
The complaints investigator aspect of the role will require the lawyer to manage the parties to complaints, conduct informal mediations, investigate complaints, advise the Society and its committees or Council (as required) and draft decisions.
You will be part of a small team that manages a range of legislative functions and responsibilities relating to the admission of lawyers, licencing, regulatory obligations including trust accounting and CPD compliance, investigation of complaints against legal practitioners and disciplinary proceedings.
Whilst experience as a regulatory solicitor and/or undertaking complaint investigations would be an advantage, these are not essential requirements with on the job learning provided in a highly supportive and collegiate work environment.
Key responsibilities
Litigation
· Represent the Society as counsel or instructing solicitor in relation to proceedings involving the Society. This includes contested applications for admission to the legal profession, disciplinary proceedings or appeals before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and appeal proceedings in the Supreme Court arising from adverse action taken by the Society under the Legal Profession Act 2006.
Complaint investigations
· Investigate and provide advice to the Society in respect of complaints about the conduct of lawyers pursuant to the Legal Profession Act 2006.
· Manage relationships with members of the public and legal practitioners in relation to complaints.
· Assist in the management of the Society’s internal procedures (including attendance at ethics committee meetings) in respect of the consideration of complaints.
Regulation
· Review and advise on applications for admission to the legal profession.
· Provide advice on regulatory matters, and assist in delivering the Society’s regulatory functions including trust accounts, licencing and continuing professional development.
· Provide guidance to the community and legal profession in relation to complaint enquiries, regulatory matters and lawyer’s ethical obligations.
· Provide information and education to lawyers and members of the public in relation to legal ethics and regulation of the profession by way of CPD presentations and written articles or guides.
General
· Develop policies and guides.
· Assist the Chief Executive Officer as required with any regulatory related activities/services.
· Attend committee or Council meetings (when required) for the determination of individual regulatory matters or complaints or changes to policies.
· Timely data entry and reporting of regulation and complaints related data.
Qualifications
· Admission as a lawyer in an Australian Supreme Court.
· Eligibility to hold an unrestricted practising certificate.
Skills & experience
· A minimum of 5 years post admission experience in legal practice including court advocacy experience.
· Experience in a regulatory or complaint handling environment will be an advantage as will a good understanding of administrative law principles.
· Exceptional interpersonal skills enabling effective engagement with a broad cross-section of the community.
· Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to generate complex written reports and prepare plain language documents.
· Demonstrated ability in problem solving and analysis of legal issues and the identification and application of relevant legislation, rules and case law.
· Ability to efficiently and accurately understand new areas of law.
· Experience and proficiency in using a range of computer programs including databases and the Microsoft Office Suite.
· Demonstrated ability to plan ahead, meet deadlines and co-operate within a small team environment.
· Attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage and maintain accurate records.
Other
· The role may be subject to a police check and professional conduct history check.
· The role carries a requirement to act with integrity in the workplace exuding trust, honesty and decency.
Please contact Aislinn McIntyre on 8981 5104 if you have further enquiries about the role.
Applications must be submitted via Seek and should include your curriculum vitae and a 1-2 page summary of how your experience equips you to meet the key responsibilities and skills as set out in the job description.