Senior Lawyer

At HUB Community Legal, part of HUB Community Projects Inc., we are dedicated to providing free legal and related services to those in need in southwest Brisbane.
We focus particularly on supporting individuals facing financial hardship, violence, discrimination, and other forms of disadvantage.
Our vision is a just and inclusive society where the legal system is accessible to all, ensuring that everyone in our community has the resources to live safe, secure, and meaningful lives free from discrimination, violence, exploitation, and abuse.
HUB Community Legal offers comprehensive legal assistance across a range of areas including family law, domestic and family violence, child protection, youth law, and civil law issues.
Situated in the vibrant Inala Community Centre, HUB operates as a place-based organisation with deep connections to the local community.
Our integrated service model enables us to forge authentic partnerships and enhance our accessibility and effectiveness, uniquely positioning us to meet the challenges faced by our community members.
OUR VALUES Ethical: We are committed to ethical practice, accountability, and professionalism.Respectful: We respect individuals for their diverse backgrounds, experiences, approaches, and ideas.Inclusive: We encourage, empower, and support community participation.Collaborative: We work in partnership with people and other organisations to benefit the community.We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and work.
We pay our respects to Elders, past and present.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER HUB is committed to being a culturally safe and inclusive organisation where the diverse experiences of our staff are valued.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.
ABOUT THE ROLE As a senior lawyer at HUB, you will improve access to justice through direct legal practice, community legal education, advocacy, and mentorship.
The key responsibilities are to:
Provide comprehensive legal services in areas of law relevant to people experiencing disadvantage (e.g.
general civil law, family law, or minor criminal law issues) and participate in HUB's court rosters for domestic and family violence duty lawyer services.Take a lead role in organising and supervising HUB's volunteer legal advice clinic.Take a lead role in supervising and mentoring HUB's early career lawyers, law students, and volunteers to ensure service quality and support professional development.Develop and conduct community legal education programs tailored for diverse groups and stakeholders.Contribute to the identification of systemic issues arising from our legal practice work and support HUB's law reform and advocacy work as required.WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO THE ROLE: Legal Experience: An unrestricted practising certificate plus considerable experience in providing legal advice, casework, and representation in areas of law relevant to people experiencing disadvantage (e.g.
general civil law, general family law, minor criminal law, domestic and family violence).
Domestic & Family Violence and/or Child Protection Duty Lawyer accreditation is highly regarded or willingness to quickly obtain.
MHRT accreditation also highly regarded.Commitment to Social Justice: Values that align with HUB's values as a for-purpose organisation.Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, including those who may have experienced violence/trauma, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Team Collaboration and Leadership: Demonstrated ability to efficiently manage own workload, set priorities, and meet deadlines, both independently and as part of a small team.
Includes taking initiative, accepting responsibility, and contributing to a positive work environment.
Experience in supervising and mentoring staff, particularly early career and volunteer lawyers, is highly regarded.Advocacy and Community Education Experience: Experience &/or ability to work collaboratively with team members to deliver the centre's community legal education and law reform efforts.WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU Use your legal skills to enhance access to justiceShape the role to make it your ownCompetitive NFP Salary Packaging, 12% super & additional leave gifted over Christmas/New YearWelcoming, collaborative, and inclusive team cultureFlexible working arrangements that support work-life balance, including options for some work from home arrangementsWellbeing support through access to our Employee Assistance Program and professional supervisionImmediate start, full time or part time negotiablePOSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES (indicative, not exhaustive)
Legal Service Delivery:Provide high quality legal advice, information, referrals, representation, and casework in general areas of law relevant to people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, with a focus on civil law matters but may also include family law and/or minor criminal law.Perform Duty Lawyer services as part of the centre's court roster for domestic and family violence and/or child protection (or work towards accreditation if not already accredited).Deliver services from a variety of locations in Ipswich, Brisbane, and Logan.Community Legal Education and Advocacy:Develop and deliver targeted community legal education sessions and materials where a need is identified.Contribute to the identification of systemic issues arising from our legal practice work and support HUB's law reform and advocacy work as required.Build relationships with relevant stakeholders to achieve better outcomes for clients.Team Leadership and Supervision:Take a lead role in supervising and mentoring HUB's early career lawyers, law students, and volunteers to ensure service quality and support professional development.
Be available to HUB's lawyers for legal questions and debriefing needs.Take a lead role in the organisation and supervision of HUB's volunteer legal advice clinics.Organisational ContributionsAll HUB personnel are expected to:
Adhere to all relevant legal, professional, and organisational standards, including compliance with legislation, risk management guidelines, internal policies, and professional development requirements.Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of all legal work, ensuring data integrity and timely reporting to funding bodies as required.Actively engage in and contribute to a collaborative, supportive, and productive team environment through regular participation in professional development, staff meetings, operational planning, and organisational initiatives.Demonstrate a proactive approach to resource management, optimising the use of time, materials, and equipment to maintain operational efficiency.Uphold the highest standards of quality assurance in all legal work and ensure consistent delivery of services.Promote and ensure a safe and healthy work environment, adhering to safety guidelines and fostering a culture free from discrimination and harassment.Engage in self-care practices and manage workload to prevent burnout, supported by the organisation through access to an employee assistance program or external supervision as needed.Be adaptable and responsive to changing priorities, tasks, and organisational needs, undertaking additional duties as reasonably directed by the Principal Lawyer or Director to support the ongoing success of the organisation.WORKING CONDITIONS Office based work primarily from HUB Community Legal office located in Inala, with regular travel to various locations in Brisbane, Ipswich, and Logan.
Some work from home is possible, subject to operational requirements and agreement.Travel is an essential part of the role for effectively delivering outreach legal services and participating in court duties and employees must use their own vehicle or have reliable transportation to access the various work locations (travel allowance payable per the Award).Flexible work arrangements, including some work from home possible.Additional paid leave is typically offered over Christmas/New Year period.Involves working with people facing complex legal and social issues, and exposure to possibly sensitive or distressing situations.Access to Employee Assistance Program and external supervision.Attractive salary sacrifice options.ACCOUNTABILITY Reports to the Principal Lawyer for daily operational legal practice issues and professional supervision related to the role.Reports to the Director for all other operational issues and tasks.Overall, accountable to the Management Committee of HUB Community Projects Inc.SELECTION CRITERIA Mandatory Qualifications:Qualified to practice as a solicitor in Queensland and either hold or be immediately eligible to hold a current unrestricted Queensland Law Society practicing certificate.Accredited, or willingness to obtain Domestic & Family Violence Duty Lawyer and Mental Health Review Tribunal accreditation.Possess a valid driver's license and have access to a comprehensively insured vehicle, OR demonstrated ability to travel efficiently by other means between varied work locations.Desirable Qualifications, Experience, and Attributes:Legal Experience: Considerable experience in providing legal advice, casework, and representation.
Experience or willingness to acquire knowledge in areas of law relevant to people experiencing disadvantage (e.g.
general family law, minor civil law, criminal law, domestic and family violence).Commitment to Social Justice: Hold values aligned to an organisation with a social justice purpose.Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to engage effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds, including those who may have experienced violence/trauma, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Team Collaboration and Leadership: Demonstrated ability to efficiently manage own workload, set priorities, and meet deadlines, both independently and as part of a small team.
Includes taking initiative, accepting responsibility, and contributing to a positive work environment.
Experience in supervising and mentoring staff, particularly early career and volunteer lawyers, is highly regarded.Advocacy and Education: Ability to work collaboratively with team members to deliver the centre's community legal education and law reform efforts.HOW TO APPLY Closing date for applications is 5 PM, Monday, 7 October 2024.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Your application must include:
A cover letter outlining why you are applying for this position and your responses to the mandatory and desirable qualifications, experience and attributes criteria included in the position description.A resume outlining your skills, experience, and qualifications. #J-18808-Ljbffr