The Senior Lawyer will work and integrated model of service delivery, collaborating with inTouch Case Managers and the inTouch Women’s Legal Centre to provide a holistic service to migrant and refugee women on their journey to safety.
Status:
Ongoing
Hours:
Full time or Part time
Location:
Melbourne / Hybrid
Pay rates:
SCHADS 6 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (inTouch) provides person-centred, integrated and culturally responsive family violence services to people from migrant and refugee communities across Victoria. We have assisted over 30,000 women and children experiencing family violence throughout our 40 years of operation, providing a holistic service that centres the experiences of victim-survivors in everything we do.
inTouch works across the family violence continuum, providing culturally informed early intervention, case management, programs for men who use violence, legal advice, crisis recovery and enhanced capacity-building across the sector and community. We are proud to provide high-level leadership and guidance to all levels of government with our evidence-based, victim-survivor informed advocacy and policy work.
We are a unique and vital service, with specialist expertise working with people of migrant and refugee backgrounds. This is reflected in our workforce, which is comprised primarily of people who are migrants and refugees themselves – the inTouch team is from over 20 different countries and communities globally.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Senior Lawyer you will be providing high quality legal services including complex casework and advice services in family law and family violence intervention order matters. You will provide supervision, training and mentoring to junior lawyers.
Key focus areas include:
Legal Advice & Casework
Provide expert legal advice and conduct casework predominately in complex family law and family violence intervention order matters in accordance with professional legal practice, including government and professional indemnity insurance requirements.
Supervise and mentor staff in family law and family violence intervention order matters and contribute to professional legal education by assisting in the development and delivery of relevant programs.
Contribute to implementation and review of the Women’s Legal Centre’s strategic plan, guidelines and inTouch’s strategic plan.
Contribute to the inTouch integrated legal practice model by regularly communicating with our family violence case management teams to ensure successful implementation of the Legal Centre ‘s operational model.
Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures by attending professional legal education program and maintain an understanding of issues impacting the justice system.
Community Development & Partnerships
Represent the Women’s Legal Centre by attending seminars, participating in committees and liaising with external stakeholders and organisations that have an impact on the work of inTouch.
Operate legal outposts such as our Health Justice Partnership and other legal projects we run with partner organisations.
Provide community legal education presentations and workshops to our stakeholders including migrant community organisations, legal centres and community health organisations so as to raise awareness of family violence within migrant communities.
Lead community legal education projects, law reform and other Women’s Legal Centre projects as required; and any other duties as directed by the Principal Lawyer.
ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT
Essential
A current Australian Practising Certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a Legal Practitioner without restriction (mandatory).
Demonstrated capacity to work as an advocate and case worker in complex matters within the scope of Legal Centre’s Program predominantly in family law and family violence.
Sound knowledge or practical experience within the scope of the Women’s Legal Centre’s Program with a focus on family law and family violence.
Ability to provide strategic advice on legal and policy issues and demonstrate an understanding of the role of external organisations, private practitioners and community in the delivery of legal assistance services.
High level interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with clients who are socially and economically disadvantaged, migrant and refugee communities as well as with staff and external stakeholders and organisations.
Capacity to positively engage with key partner agencies and/or their workers, to appropriately manage referrals to and from those agencies and to promote the service within community settings.
Ability to supervise legal work and to mentor and train staff and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills within the scope of the Women’s Legal Centre’s Program.
Ability to work collaboratively with others and foster a cooperative and supportive team environment.
Advanced interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working with clients from diverse backgrounds in an emphatic and culturally competent manner.
Demonstrated time management and organisational skills.
Desirable
Experience in working in a Community Legal Centre environment and are familiar with the NACLC risk management guidelines and cross check procedures.
Understanding of the Victoria Legal Aid funding guidelines and legal aid system.
Understanding of Immigration law and the family violence exemptions.
Lived experience working with migrant and refugee communities and understanding of cultural norms and communication styles.
Personal Attributes
High ethical standards and alignment to inTouch values, acting with integrity and maintaining confidentially.
Solutions-focused with a curious mind and a natural problem-solving ability.
Pro-active and accountable, leading with emotional intelligence and the ability to provide constructive feedback and have sensitive discussions.
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply with your resume and a short cover letter referring to the key selection criteria in the Position Description found here.
Candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, particularly with experience of migration or refugee journeys are strongly encouraged to apply.
For further information or to submit an application, contact recruitment@intouch.org.au using the subject line: Senior Lawyer
Application will close on Wednesday 25 September 2024.
All applicants must have the right to work in Australia and will need to undergo a National Police Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencing employment.
