TRIAL/SOLICITOR ADVOCATES

Transcription

1 TRIAL/SOLICITOR ADVOCATES Criminal Law The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited currently have positions available for Trial/Solicitor Advocates for the Early Appropriate Guilty Plea project (EAGP) 12 month temporary contract which may be extended. Locations: Trial Advocate Wagga Wagga Solicitor Advocate Lismore PURPOSE OF POSITION Provide high quality legal advice and representation to clients, primarily in criminal matters, in accordance with the Aboriginal Legal Service policies, procedures and guidelines; to contribute to the implementation of the Aboriginal Legal Service s strategic plan to deliver high quality legal services to Aboriginal clients and assist them to resolve their legal problems. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS Overall: Principal Solicitor Legal Supervisor: Managing Trial Advocate ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT The ALS commenced operations on 1 July 2006.The ALS provides legal services to Aboriginal clients across NSW/ACT. It was established as a Public Benevolent Institution and operates to assist economically and socially disadvantaged Aboriginal people to understand and protect their rights in the legal system. The ALS Board, which consists of the Chairperson and 13 voting part-time Directors includes the Chair and CEO plus 2 Honorary Directors, establishes the broad policies and strategic plan of the ALS. The ALS is the largest agency delivering legal services to Aboriginal clients in Australia, comprising a head office in Sydney (Redfern) and 23 offices in metropolitan, regional and remote centres across NSW/ACT. The key programs and services provided by the ALS include: * Legal advice and referral for clients; * Duty lawyer service in specified court locations; * Criminal law advice and litigation; * Care and protection law advice and litigation; * Family law advice and litigation;

2 * Work and development orders; * Criminal and civil law referrals; * Law reform; * Community legal education and outreach; * Criminal law advice and litigation; * Custody Notification Scheme. NATURE AND SCOPE OF POSITION KEY CHALLENGES OR CONSTRAINTS 1. Being able to communicate with, take instructions from and effectively represent Aboriginal clients who may present as distressed, have a physical or intellectual disability, or have problem behaviours such as drug or alcohol addictions, when the legal concepts involved are complex and difficult for the client to understand. 2. Maintaining and enhancing professional competence, keeping abreast of legal developments, changes in ALS policies, systems, guidelines, practices and community needs. 3. Adapting to new systems and technology which have a significant impact on the legal practice. 4. Effectively balancing the requirements of managing a busy caseload DECISION MAKING The position is guided in its decision-making by legislation such as Legal Profession Act 2004; by the ALS policies and guidelines and ALS practice standard benchmarks. The position holder makes independent decisions relating to the day-to-day conduct of his or her legal practice within this context. The position seeks the advice and support of the PLO on a regular basis and consults with the PLO before determining applications for merit in complex matters. COMMUNICATION Internal The key relationship is with the PLO. The position holder also interacts closely with the Western Region Manager, Legal Colleagues, Field Officers and Administrators. External Externally, the position holder has regular contact with clients and potential clients requiring legal assistance, taking instructions, where appropriate and providing oral and written advice. The position holder is in contact with private legal practitioners, judges, magistrates, court staff, medical professionals, and offices of Community Services and Government Departments in relation to the provision of representation and advice to clients.

3 KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 1. Conduct trial and other matters before the District Court of NSW; 2. Conduct Local Court and Children s Court defended matters; 3. Other advocacy work as directed; 4. Mentor and advise junior solicitors across the Region; 5. Maintain all files in a tidy and professional manner, including the recording of all data on the file cover required for statistical purposes; 6. Display good time management skills and attend to updating any diary as required in the relevant office; 7. Work as a team member with all other legal, field and administrative staff to achieve effective co-ordination in your office, Region and state-wide service. This will involve good negotiation and communication skills and, at times, will require you to assist, guide and support field and administrative staff; 8. Demonstrate continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with clients, their families, communities, directors and staff; continue to learn about the customs and history of local Aboriginal people; 9. Maintain an up-to-date and expert knowledge of relevant criminal law legislation, case law and court procedures; 10. Assist with the development of submissions on law reform and represent the ALS. at meetings as directed by the PLO; 11. Travel within your Region in order to undertake casework as directed by your Supervisor; 12. Implement all policies as directed by management and the Board of Directors including any dealing with the use and conditions of computer technology and programs and supervise more junior solicitors in their implementation; 13. Other reasonable duties as directed by your Supervisor; 14. Perform the required duties in accordance with the requirements of the following legislation and/or ALS policies; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Work Health & Safety (OH&S)

4 Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS) The ALS seeks expressions of interest for contract (12 months plus) for Trial Advocate positions to engage in the Early Appropriate Plea of Guilty project. We currently have positions available in our Wagga Wagga and Lismore offices. For over 45 years, Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS) has been providing professional and culturally appropriate legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children in NSW and ACT. Presently, we are an established Aboriginal controlled community organisation with 24 offices and 200 plus staff working in urban, regional and remote NSW and ACT, towards improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal people in and outside the courtroom. Trial Advocate Selection Criteria Essential Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with clients, their families, communities and staff. Legal qualifications and a NSW Practising Certificate with a minimum of 5 years experience in a Criminal Law practice. Sound knowledge of and demonstrated experience in conducting high quality carriage of a committals practice combined with serious criminal hearing work. Commitment to the principles of social justice and demonstrated ability to represent Aboriginal clients and undertake an advocacy role before Courts or Tribunals. Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to provide quality representation in a high-volume work environment. Ability and willingness to mentor less experienced Solicitors. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to conduct community legal education and to prepare court documents, correspondence, submissions and other written materials. Well-developed legal research/analytical and statutory interpretation skills. Ability to meet deadlines, work without close supervision and to manage a diverse workload. Demonstrated commitment to the effective implementation of Workplace Health & Safety and Ethical and Diversity practices in the workplace. Desirable Current valid unrestricted NSW Driver's Licence and a willingness to drive in metropolitan and country locations, travel intrastate and stay overnight or longer.

5 An attractive remuneration, benefits and salary packaging option will be offered for these roles. All enquiries to Jeremy Styles, Principal Solicitor or Sheri Misaghi, Regional Administration Coordinator on Applications to who on request will send you an application package. Please provide a cover letter, CV, completed application form and statement addressing each of the relevant selection criteria. Provide a copy of your Law Society of NSW Practising Certificate and details (including ) from three referees. Referees may be contacted prior to the interview by . The applicant will be informed prior to this taking place. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. We do not give feedback on unsuccessful applications. The application should be sent as one (1) attachment, not many attachments. (In the past several one (1) page attachments have been received and it is really time consuming to print out especially when the computers lag). Do not rush your application then update the application with various updated documents. the application by the closing date. Applicants should ensure mailed applications will be received by midnight-wednesday, 29 August 2018 to the contact officer (Sheri Misaghi CSE Regional Administration Co-ordinator sheri.misaghi@alsnswact.org.au ( preferred) or phone ). Successful applicants should be prepared to be interviewed in Wagga Wagga, or Lismore or Redfern. Telephone interviews can be accommodated. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solicitors to apply