Organisation : SCALES Community Legal Centre
Location : Perth (Rockingham )
Work type : Full-time
Sector : Law, Justice & Human Rights
Salary type : Annual Package
Salary : up to $115,000 inc. salary sacrifice
Application closing date : 9 Sep, 2019
About the organisation
SCALES is a not for profit community legal centre based in Rockingham providing a range of free legal services to the community.
SCALES Family Violence Service
SCALES has provided legal services to women experiencing family and family violence for 22 years through funding from the WA Attorney General. The service was funded in January 2018 by the Commonwealth Government as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
This additional funding has allowed us to expand our services to deliver wrap-around services to women experiencing or at risk of family violence in the Rockingham region. The focus of the service is on providing intensive, trauma informed, legal and non-legal assistance through a case management model and will target the most vulnerable and at risk women who are in need of the intensive support.
The Family Violence Unit (the Unit) team comprises this Solicitor role, a Client Advocate, Client Services Officer and the new position of Financial Counsellor. This team works closely with other local services such as Lucy Saw Centre (women’s refuge), counselling services and the Family Violence Service of the Family Violence Court.
The Service is funded by the Commonwealth Government as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
SCALES Community Legal Centre
The Southern Communities Advocacy, Legal and Education Service Inc. (SCALES) is a not for profit community legal centre which hosts the Murdoch University Student Law Clinic.
SCALES is a generalist community legal centre that provides legal advice and assistance in a range of areas including: civil law, criminal law, family law, tenancy and welfare rights. Services include information, referral, advice, minor assistance, advocacy, casework, representation, community legal education and law and policy reform.
This year the service is celebrating 22 years of legal services, established in 1997 in partnership with Murdoch University and members of the Kwinana and Rockingham community.
This partnership enables SCALES to provide free legal advice on a range of matters to Kwinana and Rockingham residents through the Student Law Clinic while developing the confidence, skills and ethics of Murdoch University law students, enrolled in clinical legal units, within a community based environment.
This region is one of high need due to low socio- economic indicators of disadvantage and its anticipated population growth. SCALES has identified that there are vulnerable people within our community who would otherwise find it difficult or overwhelming to access justice and assert their rights.
These members of the community include, but are not limited to the indigenous population, refugees, people with disabilities including mental health issues, culturally and linguistically diverse people, women experiencing family and family violence, younger people and older people.
The main SCALES office is located in Rockingham, with staff offices in the Law School building at Murdoch University’s South Street campus.
About the role
The family law solicitor role will include ensuring that the objectives of the family violence unit funding grant are achieved through the following outcomes:
- Wrap-around, intensive legal and non-legal support delivered and targeted to women with the greatest need;
- Legal services appropriate, proportionate and tailored to each woman’s individual needs;
- Empowering and supporting women to take action to protect themselves and their children;
- Developing and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with other legal and non-legal service providers to holistically address women’s legal and related problems.
The focus of the service is on providing intensive, trauma informed, legal and non-legal assistance and will target the most vulnerable and at-risk women.
About the Position
The role is located within our legal practice and will be based in Rockingham.
The role includes:
- Direct client services in family law, including drafting court documents and some representation;
- Working collaboratively with the client advocate and other solicitors to meet the client’s other legal needs. For example, family violence restraining orders, criminal injuries compensation, tenancy (private and social housing), criminal law and other civil matters.
Key responsibilities
- All aspects of legal service delivery including representation, casework and advice
- Building and maintaining relationships with other legal and non-legal service providers
- Supervision of the legal practice, including ensuring professional indemnity obligations are met
- Supervision of staff, including junior solicitors and advocates
- The development and implementation of community legal education programs relevant to women experiencing family violence
Essential requirements of this position
- Holds, or is eligible to hold, a current practising certificate in WA
- Demonstrated experience in providing high quality legal advice and casework services in the area of family law (parenting and financial)
- A strong commitment to social justice principles
- Demonstrated knowledge or experience working with women experiencing family violence
- The capacity to work effectively, independently and collaboratively
- Well-developed oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
- High level of skill in legal research and analysis with a particular focus on problem solving
- Sound computer skills and ability to prepare reports, court documents, and letters
Desirable
- An understanding of and commitment to the work of community legal centres
- Experience in dealing with clients from diverse backgrounds
Remuneration and benefits
This role is a full time position (37.5 hours per week).
Remuneration package includes salary and salary packaging up to $115,000 plus superannuation. Conditions under the SCHADS Industry Award (MA 000100).
Additional benefits include paid leave during Christmas period shutdown, Legal Practice Certificate paid and a flexible workplace.
The position is funded to 30 June 2020 and there is a probation period, however there may be longer term opportunities subject to funding.
How to apply
Applications not allowed for this job listing.
Please quote in application: Family Violence Unit Family Law Solicitor via Pro Bono Australia.
Sector: #Law_Justice_and_Human_Rights
