Westjustice is expanding due to the opening of the new Wyndham Law Courts. We have multiple opportunities for lawyers experienced in child protection, family violence and/or family law to join our growing team as we continue to help families impacted by family violence.
Be part of a collaborative, innovative and well-regarded team committed to delivering improved life outcomes to economically and socially disadvantaged clients.
In addition to providing meaningful community-led services to clients experiencing access barriers to justice, you will also contribute to research projects, community education and improvements in law reform.
The Organisation
Westjustice is a rights-based Community Legal Centre servicing Melbourne’s West on the lands of the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples and including the LGAs of Wyndham, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Melton and Brimbank, a population of over a million people. Melbourne’s Western Suburbs are the thriving backbone of the state, and home to Australia’s most diverse and fastest-growing population.
We work to uphold peoples’ rights by providing free legal, social work, financial counselling services, community engagement, and advocacy for systemic reform across Workers’ Rights, Children and Young People’s Rights, Women and Gender Diverse people’s Rights, and Economic and Housing Rights. We provide place-based, multi-disciplinary programs, and partner with values-aligned organisations to focus on servicing those most impacted by these issues, and to ensure people have access to the services they need where they need them.
Through our work, we consistently see complex legal issues and the cyclical impact they have on longer term justice, economic, health, and life outcomes. This is why our services and programs focus on prevention and early intervention in the cycle of economic precarity, criminalisation, violence and housing insecurity. It is also why we advocate for legal, social and policy reform to ensure the people of Melbourne’s West have access to services and the best version of justice.
The Roles
Due to service growth, we are looking for qualified lawyers to join our well-regarded Women and Gender Diverse People’s Rights Program on 12-month maximum term contracts (with possibility of ongoing employment). Salary is commensurate with experience. Full-time and Part-time candidates are encouraged to apply.
We recognise that family and gender-based violence are serious community concerns that disproportionately affect women, gender diverse people and children. Our vision is for our clients to feel safe and secure. We do this by representing clients in family violence intervention order proceedings, child protection applications, family law (parenting, property division disputes and divorce), criminal proceedings where they may have been misidentified as the primary perpetrator and victims compensation applications.
If successful, you will join a high performing supportive team delivering legal services with an early intervention focus. As we are s29A panel certifiers, we also undertake legally aided casework by applying for grants of legal assistance for clients who qualify under Victoria Legal Aid’s family law, family violence, criminal and child protection guidelines.
These roles are primarily based at our Sunshine office, and you may also be required to undertake outreach legal services at our key health justice partner sites in the Western suburbs. You will also represent our clients in court proceedings in the Sunshine and Wyndham Magistrates Court, Children’s Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, as required. From time to time, you may also be required to work at our other offices in Werribee and/or partner organisation sites, depending on Program needs.
Role Requirement:
- Minimum one year post admission experience (Lawyer)
- Minimum of three years post admission experience (Senior Lawyer)
- Demonstrated legal experience in any of our key legal areas:
- Child protection (highly desirable)
- Family law (desirable)
- Family violence, including duty lawyer (highly desirable)
- Legal supervision experience (desirable for senior lawyer)
- Dedicated interest and commitment to social justice legal practice.
- Excellent time management and file management skills.
- Advocacy and litigation experience or the ability to develop these skills.
The successful applicants will require a current Working with Children’s Check and a National Police Check or be prepared to apply for both. Applicants must possess the right to work in Australia.
Remuneration
Salary range – $90,000pa – $118,430pa (commensurate with experience) with additional financial benefits of 17.5% leave loading, generous salary packaging of up to $15,900 for general living expenses, accommodation and meal packaging plus statutory employer funded superannuation paid on top of the base salary.
For enquires, call Ellen Flint, People & Culture Director, on 0419 617 754 for a confidential discussion.
To apply, please send your resume together with a concise cover letter demonstrating your skills and experience via this portal or by emailing recruitment@Westjustice.org.au. We will be interviewing candidates as applications are received, so don’t wait to apply! Submit your application as soon as possible to be considered for one of these exciting opportunities.
Westjustice is committed to building a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTIQA+-identifying people. People with lived experience of the justice system are encouraged to apply. A police check result does not automatically disqualify an application but will be individually assessed for the relevant role.
Please ensure that you let us know, in advance, of any reasonable adjustment you may require during any part of the recruitment process including application and interview by contacting Ellen Flint via ellen@westjustice.org.au Any information disclosed will be held in the strictest of confidence.
