Solicitor, Mulleun Mura Program

The Organisation

The Women’s Legal Centre ACT is an innovative community legal centre providing crucial services to vulnerable women in Canberra, predominantly across the practice areas of family law, migration and employment.

Mulleun Mura is a specialist program within the centre’s family law practice, focussed on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are affected by domestic and family violence, relationship breakdown and women who need help engaging with Child Protection. The program works to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and communities by supporting women and families to stay connected and stay safe.

Benefits & Culture

• Established service with long-term, secure funding
• Leaders in trauma informed lawyering in the ACT
• Feminist workplace and culture, flexible working arrangements
• Competitive salary with generous packaging options & additional paid leave
• Respectful, values driven environment
• Passionate, professional, highly skilled and dedicated team

The Role

You will lead and drive the Mulleun Mura Program, working closely with a multidisciplinary team of solicitors, social workers and a senior Aboriginal paralegal to deliver high-quality, trauma informed, accessible legal services and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Specifically you will:

• Manage a mixed case load of family law matters including litigated and children’s matters
• Provide culturally appropriate legal advice and casework to clients
• Manage and develop relationships with community and partner organisations and services
• Develop and influence the strategic direction of the program
• Ensure consistent and reliable data collection and manage funding reporting
• Coach and mentor junior staff members

Skills Required
 
You either identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or you are passionate about using your legal skills to impact the important work of the Mulleun Mura Program.

You’re a qualified solicitor with at least 2 years PAE in family law, a commitment to social justice issues for women, and understanding of the role of the legal system and culturally appropriate services in responding to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. You are able to:

• Deliver high quality, accurate legal advice and manage casework
• Lead the development and delivery of specific projects or programs
• Work and build connections with Aboriginal communities and demonstrate cultural safety
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with supporting organisations and services
• Deliver community legal education to a range of audiences
• Manage, mentor and coach a paralegal and junior staff
• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team in a trauma-informed service delivery model, with a personal commitment to reflection and self-care practices

Applicants must be eligible to hold/apply for a Restricted Practising Certificate in the ACT.

If you want to use your legal skills to drive and facilitate real outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, please click apply and forward your resume and cover letter responding to the skills required section above.  Alternatively, to discuss, please call Louise Furlong on 02 8243 0570.
 
Please note being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification under s34 of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT).  Part-time applications will be considered.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this role, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.