Senior Solicitor - Grade IV - Orange

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Ongoing full-time (35 hours per week) 

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Competitive salary package up to $160,373.00. Package includes salary ($139,862.00- $142,554.00), employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading. 

About us:

Legal Aid NSW provides legal support in criminal, family, and civil law. We offer advice, court assistance, and family dispute resolution by phone or at our 28 offices.  

Legal Aid NSW has Australia’s largest family law practice, handling diverse and dynamic cases across all life stages. We help adults and children resolve disputes and achieve safe, workable family arrangements. Our services include legal advice, outreach, duty services, family dispute resolution, and case representation in Commonwealth family law matters and state care and protection cases across NSW. 

About working in Orange  

The Orange office of Legal Aid is located in downtown Orange. The office is a busy mixed practice including specialist services which provides legal services to vulnerable people in Orange and surrounding towns in the central tablelands, including Bathurst, Lithgow, Cowra, Parkes and Forbes. Orange is a thriving regional centre, home to acclaimed restaurants and wineries, parks and gardens, with quality local music and art scenes, and near quaint heritage villages to explore.  

About the role: 

As the Senior Family Lawyer, you will play a critical role in in the provision of family law services to clients in Orange and the surrounding region, in accordance with legislation and directions, policy, guidelines, and practice management standards. Your responsibilities include:    

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Provide expert legal advice, early intervention support, family dispute resolution, and representation in complex family law and care and protection matters   

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Supervise, lead, and manage junior lawyers, providing guidance and support, and identifying training and development needs, while managing the family law practice to ensure the delivery of high-quality legal services  

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Work closely with stakeholders including panel practitioners, Government Departments and Court staff to effectively manage the family law practice and allocations. 

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Identify systemic issues affecting vulnerable clients and contribute to law reform and strategic service delivery initiatives that support vulnerable clients.   

We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months. 

About you: 

We are seeking an experienced family lawyer with advanced people management skills, and effective communication and problem-solving skills. The successful applicant will have demonstrated: 

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Experience in handling complex legal matters in both the care and protection and family jurisdictions 

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Experience providing leadership and support to junior lawyers 

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An understanding of the unique challenges facing families and children in regional areas 

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Ability to adapt to changes and experience in managing and resolving complex matters, through identifying systematic issues and provide tailored solution to address the issues.    

The essential requirements for this role: 

You must: 

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be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW 

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be able to provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us 

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be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check 

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hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies)  

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have a valid driver’s licence and capacity to travel regularly, and to reginal and remote areas  

The Family Law Division have a number of roles where it is a statutory obligation for staff to hold a valid Working With Children Check. You will be required to provide your Working With Children Check details prior to commencement in any role requiring the check. 

How to apply: 

You MUST submit your application online. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted.  

Your application must include: 

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your resume (no more than 5 pages in PDF or word format) 

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cover letter (no more than 2 pages in PDF or word format). In your cover letter, please address the following: 

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Detail your experience in undertaking and supervising complex legal matters in family law and care and protection. In particular, what do you consider would be the challenges facing a Senior Family Law Solicitor  in Orange and how would you address them?  

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Outline your experience in working collaboratively in a legal setting. What skills do you have that will enable you to mentor and guide junior solicitors to provide effective and efficient legal services, as well as supporting their wellbeing? 

Make sure your application is complete and you have answered all questions before you submit it. 

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW! 

We are committed to diversity and inclusion: 

We are committed to fostering a culturally safe and inclusive workplace where people from diverse backgrounds want to work. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.  

We support and accommodate diverse access needs for people with visible and invisible disabilities. For adjustments during recruitment or more information, contact us at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.  

Benefits of working with us:  

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Interdisciplinary Teams: Work with experts across fields to provide holistic client support.  

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Skill Development: Build expertise in advocacy, child representation, trauma-informed practice, and supporting diverse clients.  

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Career Growth: Access internal progression, in-house supervision, and training in advocacy, trauma-informed lawyering, and cultural competency.  

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Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible arrangements to suit your needs.  

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Wellbeing Support: We prioritise your professional and personal wellbeing. 

Do you need help to apply?

It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:

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If you have questions about the role, you can contact the Hiring Manager – Solicitor In Charge - Jessica McCleary on 02 6393 7349, or by email: jessica.mccleary@legalaid.nsw.gov.au. 

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If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have. 

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The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role. 

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The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.   

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Applying for a Role 

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Working at Legal Aid NSW 

Applications close on Wednesday 26th February 2025.