Senior Solicitor

WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU? Meaning in your work: being part of a dynamic team that positively advances social justice in Australia.
Innovation in law: you will be encouraged to think creatively and outside traditional legal frameworks to achieve positive change.
A 4:30pm finish each Friday: and an additional week of paid leave during our end of year office closure.
Salary: dependant on experience plus FBT plus superannuation.
Accelerated career progression: proactive mentoring from senior lawyers and opportunities to undertake a diverse range of legal matters and high-level strategic work.
Comprehensive wellbeing and mental health support: including access to a free Employee Assistance Program, 90 minutes per month available to take for mental health appointments during business hours (paid), and monthly reflective practice sessions.
Parental Leave Bonus: in addition to the government scheme.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL JUSTICE PROJECT The National Justice Project (NJP) is a not-for-profit legal service and civil rights organisation.
We use the law, advocacy and education to tackle systemic injustice and promote government accountability.
We primarily represent and support First Nations peoples and asylum seekers/refugees who have been harmed and discriminated against within the justice and health care systems.
We advance human rights by representing and supporting our clients to have their voices heard.
We advocate for the reform and development of law, and a justice system that is fair, just and equitable, taking on the most challenging cases that will create systemic change.
Our office based in Sydney is a small and busy workplace.
We recognise and pay our deepest respects to all First Nations Peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work.
NJP recognises that throughout history the Australian legal system has been an instrument of violence and oppression against First Nations Peoples, as well as other minority groups.
NJP seeks to strengthen and promote dialogue between the Australian legal system and First Nations laws, governance structures and protocols.
We are committed to reconciliation, and achieving social justice by ensuring everyone has the right to equal access and status under the law.
We work collaboratively with community partners to identify and advocate against systemic injustices.
We are a small team of both legal and non-legal staff who all work flexibly and cooperatively to achieve positive outcomes for our clients, strategic outcomes in Australia's legal landscape and enhance rights awareness within the community.
ABOUT THE POSITION The NJP is offering a fixed-term Senior Solicitor position.
The NJP strongly encourages Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse lawyers to apply.
The successful candidate will be offered a 12-month, Full-Time contract, to be based at University of Technology, Sydney Broadway Campus, NSW.
NJP offers flexible hybrid working between the office and WFH (with a minimum of 3 days in the office subject to individual circumstances).
Some key responsibilities include: Have carriage and responsibility for a range of legal matters (predominately civil litigation).
Support the development of strategic litigation to advance human rights.
Liaise with clients, courts, other parties and our partners/other stakeholders.
Provide a high-quality advice, assistance and casework service to the clients of NJP.
Undertake administrative and case management activities.
Be involved in a wide range of legal and policy issues and cases within our practice.
Maintain an effective and ethical legal practice including compliance with NJP policies and legislative requirements and practice management standards.
Key benefits of the position include working within a small team of passionate, dedicated and skilled advocates, flexible work conditions, career and professional development opportunities, not-for-profit FBT salary packaging and maximise take-home pay, access to personal counselling and other wellbeing options.
KEY CANDIDATE CONSIDERATIONS At least 5-years post admission experience with minimum 3 years' experience in civil litigation.
Candidates must take a trauma-informed approach to working with clients.
You must have excellent teamwork skills as we are a small and impactful team with limited resources.
There may be some travel and media/public speaking required.
The successful candidate will apply their legal training and knowledge to seek justice and accountability for our clients and the wider community.
The NJP strongly encourages Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse lawyers to apply.
Personal responsibilities, including: Undertaking your work and other activities with integrity whilst upholding the organisation's values and in particular, ensuring a people-first approach across our staff, volunteers and clients; Supporting team cohesion in a flexible and friendly manner; Executing the tasks that are assigned to you to a high standard; Collecting data to evaluate your work and regularly reporting on it; Meeting objectives and deliverables in a timely manner; and Maintaining positive relationships with NJP's partner organisations and the wider community.
Legal Assistance and Services, including: Working on or contributing to a wide range of legal matters with minimal supervision or under the direction of the Principal Solicitors, predominately in civil litigation, supervising coronial inquests, medical negligence claims, constitutional and administrative law cases, and complaints to the Ombudsman and the Australian Human Rights Commission; Drafting pleading, affidavits, other documents; Reviewing medical and other records and preparing briefs and letters of instruction to counsel and medical experts; Appearing in case management/directions hearings and instructing counsel in hearings; Preparing for and managing/ensuring the smooth running of mediations (with or without counsel); File management, including case planning and maintaining spreadsheets and calendars; Developing and maintaining a strong and sensitive working relationship with clients, and taking accurate and clear instructions; Maintaining strong professional relationships with counsel, partner/defendant firms and courts; and Preparing advice, legal research and time recording.
SUPERVISING SOLICITORS AND VOLUNTEERS: You may have supervision and direct reports of solicitors/law graduates in relation to their caseload (you will not have direct reports in relation to administrative and HR matters).
It is also expected that you will provide day to day guidance to any other team member (whether they are allocated to assist you in your matters or on their own matters) with their duties and responsibilities, including paralegals and legal volunteers.
NJP is involved in various university clinic placements throughout the year.
NJP staff may be required to represent NJP and participate in the clinics, including in the allocation of work, provision of training and providing supervision and feedback to the students.
KEY CONTACTS You will report to the Principal Solicitors on a regular basis in relation to your caseload, leave requests and other matters.
APPLICATION PROCESS The NJP strongly encourages Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse lawyers to apply.
Early applications will be considered.
We hope to have the successful applicant commence as soon as possible and by January 2025 at the latest.
In your application, please send your CV, along with a cover letter addressing the below selection criteria: A current practising certificate (NSW).
At least 5-years post admission experience with minimum 3 in civil litigation.
A passion for human rights and social justice, in particular in relation to First Nations rights and refugee rights.
An understanding of culturally safe and trauma informed practice.
Competency in the following core skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; An ability to manage multiple competing priorities under tight deadlines; Excellent administrative and organisational skills; and Experience working both independently with minimal supervision and as a part of a team.
Desirable experience: Experience working on large complex civil litigation cases is highly regarded.
Experience working in a not-for-profit organisation.
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