Intermediate Solicitor (Criminal Law Practice)

Aboriginal Legal Service; Wollongong City Council; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Not-for-profit salary packaging

Annual leave loading 17.5%

Career and professional development

Job summary

Aboriginal Legal Service in Wollongong, NSW is seeking an Intermediate Solicitor (Criminal Law) to lead the Criminal Law Practice and provide expert legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. The role involves mentoring junior solicitors, managing complex criminal matters, and maintaining strong community engagement.

You will work in a culturally safe environment with a focus on advocacy, policy development and collaboration with courts and justice partners.

Qualifications

• Must hold NSW Practising Certificate and have relevant Criminal Law experience.
• Strong criminal law expertise including LC/CC, District Court and EAGP matters.
• Proven advocacy and leadership skills with ability to mentor colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Criminal Law Practice and deliver high-quality legal services to Aboriginal clients.
• Provide expert criminal law advice and representation while managing complex matters.
• Mentor and supervise junior solicitors and support staff to build capability.

Skills

Criminal law

Advocacy

Leadership

Education

NSW Practising Certificate

2 years Criminal Law experience

Job description

Intermediate Solicitor (Criminal Law Practice)

Job: 1709142 | Full-Time | Fixed Term (12 Months) | Wollongong, NSW| $129,490 (Fixed Pay)

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) was established in a critical act of self-determination over 50 years ago as part of the Aboriginal rights protest movement. We provide high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout NSW and the ACT, and fight for social justice and equity for our communities.

Your Impact

As a valued member of the Criminal Law Practice, you’ll play a key role in leading the practice in delivering high-quality, culturally appropriate legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. You’ll provide expert criminal law advice and representation, mentor and support colleagues, and help drive strong advocacy, community engagement and operational excellence. Each day, you will:

• Run complex criminal mattersacross the Local, Children’s and DistrictCourts, including EAGPmatters, hearings, sentencesand trial preparation.
• Deliver high-quality, culturally appropriate legal advice and representation, whilemanaging complex matters, ethical issues, clientconcerns and referrals.
• Supervise, mentor anddevelop junior solicitors, strengthening advocacyskills, professional capabilityand ongoing CPD.
• Support day-to-day operations, including staff supervision, rostering, matter allocationand supporting acollaborative, high-performingteam.
• Build strong stakeholderand inter-agencyrelationshipswith Courts, DPP, Legal Aid, CommunityCorrections and otherjustice partners.
• Contribute to practice excellence and law reform, maintaining current legal knowledge, supporting policydevelopment and representingALS at relevantforums, training andworking groups.

Your Story & Strengths

You are a skilled and motivated Intermediate Solicitor with strong criminal law, advocacy and leadership skills. You bring a deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and a genuine commitment to community, justice and positive change. Key strengths include:

• A NSW Practising Certificateandminimum of 2 years’ experience in CriminalLaw.
• Strong criminal law expertise, including practice, procedure and complex LC/CC, District Courtand EAGP matters.
• Proven advocacy and leadership skills, with the ability to represent Aboriginal clients and lead complex criminalmatters.
• Cultural awareness andrespect, with a genuineunderstanding of Aboriginaland Torres StraitIslander communities, cultureand social needs.
• Strong people and communication skills, withthe ability tosupervise, mentor andsupport a multidisciplinaryteam.
• Excellent organisation and professionalism, with the ability to managecompeting priorities, workindependently, meet deadlinesand uphold ethical, WHS and diversitystandards.

Our Journey Together

At ALS, you’ll find a career that truly matters, one where your work has purpose and impact every day. We are proud to offer a supportive and rewarding environment with a range of generous benefits, including:

• Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax burden, which means you get to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%, ensuring that you are rewarded for your time off and can enjoy a well-deserved break.
• Career and professional development opportunities.

Caring for Community & You

To protect the communities we serve, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of safe recruitment practices. Therefore, it is essential that candidates either possess or have the capacity to obtain a current and valid National Police Check , Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check for this role.

ALS is committed to equal opportunity and cultural safety in recruitment for all candidates. If you identify as a person with a disability and need any adjustments or support throughout the recruitment process, please contact our Talent Team at ******@alsnswact.org.au - we will work with you to ensure an accessible and supportive experience.

Additional information

• Make an impact that reaches beyond the courtroom and into community!
• Bring leadership, teamwork and organisation to every working day.
• $129,490 + super + salary packaging & leave loading!