Senior Lawyer

Our Team

In the face of rising levels of unmet legal need, Justice Connect designs and delivers high impact interventions to increase access to legal support and progress social justice.

Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law is Australia’s only dedicated community legal service for not-for-profits and charities. Our acclaimed self-help website (www.nfplaw.org.au) has over 300 legal resources and is the foundation of our service model. We offer legal advice and educational services to organisations across Australia, and advocate for improved standards and legal frameworks for the not-for-profit sector.

We also run a certified legal training social enterprise and deliver a dedicated service for Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) in NSW.

Our ideal candidate

You’ll bring to the team experience in the following areas:

• 5 + years unsupervised practice as a lawyer (or equivalent experience in a legal role)
• Understanding of legal issues commonly faced by LALCs (including experience in some of the following areas: governance, property law, employment law, contracts, economic development, charity law and deductible gift recipient status)
• Understanding of the cultural and legal context in which LALCs operate (highly desirable)
• Demonstrated cultural competency in providing services to Aboriginal people and/or organisations (preferably in a legal environment) and/or relevant experience demonstrating an ability to acquire and apply those skills quickly in the role
• Experience delivering plain language legal advice and information
• Experience delivering legal training to non-legally trained audience (desirable)
• Sound computer skills within a legal practice environment (knowledge of CRM systems desirable)
• Drive, focus, good judgment and a sense of humour

Candidates will need to demonstrate commitment to Justice Connect’s vision, strategy and values.

What you will achieve in the role

In this role, you’ll work to autonomously provide legal services to Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) including:

• Triaging enquiries from LALCs (including assessment of matters eligible for pro bono assistance)
• Providing legal advice and information to LALCs
• Facilitating referrals to Justice Connect member firms and barristers
• Monitoring referrals and supporting member firms and barristers to assist LALCs
• Developing and delivering legal training for LALCs (face-to-face and by webinar), including face-to-face in regional areas
• Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council and the LALC network in particular, and a range of other key stakeholders including Justice Connect member firms, current and potential funders, and policy makers
• Assisting with governance, reporting and evaluation requirements of the LALC Service, Not-for-profit Law and Justice Connect

A week in this role

If you were here last week, you would have:

• Connected with LALCs by phone and email to deliver legal support through the provision of information, advice, pro bono referrals and referrals to other services.
• Liaised with staff across different teams and business units at NSWALC to receive referrals to assist LALCs.
• Travelled to regional, rural and remote parts of NSW to deliver plain language training to LALC boards and staff on governance, employment, and understanding contracts.
• Worked with NSWALC legal and policy staff to address systemic legal issues impacting the LALC network through legal advice, training, information and referrals.
• Reviewed and analysed trends in enquiry data, areas of law and service delivered to draw conclusions about ways in which improvements could be made to services to support LALCs.

What we offer

If you want your next role to have purpose, support you to master new skills and build meaningful relationships then Justice Connect is the place to work.

We believe in creating an environment where people will thrive, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Progressive leave entitlements with 5 weeks of annual leave
• Flexible working arrangements with a minimum of 40% in the workplace attendance across the month
• Access to EAP
• New hire and ongoing learning and development

How to Apply

Please upload your resume and a cover letter which outlines your skills and experience that will help you achieve success in this role.

For further information contact Phoebe Duggan on 03 8636 4456

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Important role information

The position reports to a Manager in the Not-for-profit-Law program.

Employment is full time fixed term until 30 June 2026.

$112,138.13 per annum plus superannuation which will be paid according to statutory requirement, annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options.

This role is based at our Sydney CBD offices with 40% of the month in the workplace with hybrid working arrangements.

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