Criminal Lawyer (Rockhampton)

Queensland Government; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Legal Aid Queensland is seeking a motivated Criminal Lawyer (PO3) to join the team and work across a broad range of criminal law and quasi-criminal law matters. This is a great opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners, develop your casework and advocacy skills, and build a strong foundation in criminal law practice.

You'll appear in court, provide duty lawyer services, and support clients through challenging circumstances.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of and some experience in preparing, representing and advocating in criminal law.
• Understanding of the practice and procedure of relevant areas of law and ethical standards.
• Clear and effective communication with clients, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to work with clients with complex needs using trauma-informed practice principles.
• Keen to learn, open to feedback and continue developing as a lawyer.

Responsibilities

• Prepare criminal law matters and instruct counsel across jurisdictions.
• Appear for legally aided clients in bail applications, pleas, trials and committal hearings in the Magistrates and Children's Courts.
• Provide duty lawyer services in the Magistrates and Children's Courts, including for clients in custody.
• Appear on higher court call-overs and mentions.
• Provide legal information and advice to clients and the public.
• Work with supervision from senior legal practitioners and contribute to policy and legal service delivery initiatives.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute ideas to team planning and improvements to work practices.

Skills

Criminal law

Advocacy

Courtroom appearance

Client communication

Education

Law degree

Tools

Legal research databases

Job description

If you're a junior lawyer looking to grow your advocacy skills, build confidence in court and do work that genuinely matters, this could be the role for you.

Legal Aid Queensland is looking for a motivated Criminal Lawyer (PO3) to join the team and work across a broad range of criminal law and quasi-criminal law matters. This is a great opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners, develop your casework and advocacy skills, and build a strong foundation in criminal law practice.

You'll work on interesting, varied matters, appear in court, help clients through difficult situations and contribute to a justice system that is fairer and more accessible for vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders.

What You'll Be Doing

In this role, you will:

• prepare criminal law matters and instruct counsel across jurisdictions
• personally appear for legally aided clients in bail applications, pleas, summary trials and committal hearings in the Magistrates and Children's Courts
• provide duty lawyer services in the Magistrates and Children's Courts, including for clients in custody
• appear on higher court call-overs and mentions
• provide legal information and advice to clients and members of the public
• manage your work with support, supervision and guidance from senior legal practitioners
• contribute to policy, procedure, law reform and legal service delivery initiatives
• build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• contribute ideas to team planning and improvements to work practices.

Why this role is a great next step

This role is ideal for a lawyer who wants to:

• get real advocacy experience early
• build confidence appearing in court
• work on a wide variety of criminal law matters
• learn from experienced and supportive senior lawyers
• develop strong file management, client service and legal problem-solving skills
• do meaningful work that helps people at difficult points in their lives.

What we're looking for

We're Looking For Someone Who

• has knowledge of and some experience in preparing, representing and advocating in criminal law and related matters
• understands the practice and procedure of relevant areas of law and the ethical standards that apply
• communicates clearly and effectively with clients, colleagues and stakeholders
• can work well with clients who may have complex needs, using trauma-informed practice principles
• is keen to learn, open to feedback and ready to keep developing as a lawyer.

Why Legal Aid Queensland?

At Legal Aid Queensland, you won't just be watching from the sidelines. You'll be doing real legal work, building real advocacy experience and making a real difference.

This is a chance to grow your criminal law career in a supportive environment where learning is part of the job, the work is varied and the impact is genuine.

If you're ready to learn, step up and build your future in criminal law, we'd love to hear from you.

Occupational group

Justice & Legal