Solicitor I-III (Human Rights)

Solicitor Grade I-III 

Human Rights
 

• Competitive Salary, Legal Officer Grade I-III (between $77,012- $130.542 plus super & annual leave loading).  

• Ongoing, Full Time (35 hours per week, located at Central Sydney 

• Excellent opportunity to contribute to policy and law reform 

About us  

Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas of criminal law, family law and every day civil law issues. We give legal advice, help at court and do family dispute resolution. We can do this over the telephone or at one of our 28 offices. 

About the role  

The Human Rights Team is a dynamic, Sydney-based specialist team of 5 lawyers within the Civil Law Division at Legal Aid NSW which undertakes human rights and public interest casework. We represent disadvantaged clients in civil claims against the State, public agencies and other bodies, including intentional torts, discrimination cases, breaches of privacy and various forms of administrative review. We manage strategic advocacy projects designed to achieve a systemic impact for our clients and contribute to policy and law reform consultations that align with our casework. We also run advice clinics linked to our areas of practice including at Anti-Discrimination NSW and the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.    

About you 

You are an enthusiastic and committed solicitor with a passion for human rights and social justice. You bring strong drafting, analytical, advocacy and legal research and skills with a proven ability to manage a high volume, diverse caseload and deliver high quality legal advice and representation services.  

The preferred candidate will have experience running litigation in both courts and tribunals, with a strong emphasis on intentional torts or anti-discrimination law, and excellent negotiation skills with experience in conciliation forums. 

You thrive in a collaborative team environment, communicate effectively with clients from all backgrounds as well as diverse stakeholders, and demonstrate sound judgement and integrity in your practice.   

Your commitment to upholding human rights and advancing fair outcomes makes you an invaluable addition to our team.  

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

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!  

We are committed to diversity and inclusion  

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.   

We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.    

We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you’d like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au. 

Other benefits of working with us 

• You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities. 

• We are an accredited Flex Ready and Carers and Employers certified employer and are recognised as leaders in the area of flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life. 

The essential requirements for this role  

You must: 

• be admitted as a legal practitioner in NSW 

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

• be willing to do a Criminal Record Check  

• hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies) 

• live in NSW or be willing to relocate to NSW. 

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: 

• your resume (no more than 5 pages) 

• cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please address both of the following topics:   

1. 1. Outline your experience conducting litigation in intentional torts, anti-discrimination law, administrative law and/or other public interest human rights cases, including examples.
   2. Outline your experience working with disadvantaged clients and clients with complex needs. Provide examples of how you have helped clients overcome a difficult civil law issue or dispute that impacted on their human rights. 

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

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:  

• If you have questions about the role, you can contact the Hiring Manager  Anthony.Levin@legalaid.nsw.gov.au   

• If you are an Australian 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. 

• The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role. 

• 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.  

• Applying for a role is a great NSW Government resource for helping you prepare your application.