Intermediate Solicitor (Criminal Law Practice, ACT)

Aboriginal Legal Service; Canberra; On-site; AUD 129,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Annual leave loading

Career development

Job summary

Aboriginal Legal Service seeks an Intermediate Solicitor in Criminal Law Practice, ACT, to lead advocacy and deliver culturally safe, client-centred criminal justice services. You will mentor junior solicitors, manage cases, and contribute to practice excellence across ACT & NSW.

You bring strong criminal law expertise, leadership and a deep commitment to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The role is based in Canberra with travel as required.

Qualifications

• Hold an ACT Practising Certificate with at least 3 years’ criminal law experience.
• Experience appearing in District Court, ACT Magistrates Court, Local and Children’s Court matters.
• Ability to supervise, mentor and lead a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality criminal law advice, advocacy and representation in the ACT and NSW.
• Supervise day-to-day operations: staff supervision, matter allocation, rostering and diary management.
• Build strong relationships with courts, DPP, Legal Aid and other justice stakeholders to support outcomes.
• Mentor junior solicitors and support advocacy skills and professional development.
• Contribute to law reform and continuous improvement while maintaining current knowledge.

Skills

Criminal law

Advocacy

Leadership

Mentoring

Cultural safety

Stakeholder relations

Education

ACT Practising Certificate

Job description

Intermediate Solicitor (Criminal Law Practice, ACT)

Job: 1686106 | Full-Time | Permanent | Canberra, ACT| $129,490 - $138,491 (Based on Experience)

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 delivery of high-quality, culturally safe and client-centred legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You’ll provide expert advocacy, mentor and support the team, and contribute to strong practice, policy and operational excellence. Each day, you will:

• Deliver high-quality, culturally appropriate criminal law advice, advocacy and representationacross the ACT and NSW jurisdictions, including complex andsentence matters.
• Support the effective day-to-day operation of the practice, including staff supervision, matter allocation, rostering, diary management, EAGP coordination and briefingcounsel.
• Build strong relationships with courts, DPP, Legal Aid, Community Corrections and other justice stakeholdersto support effective client outcomes and servicedelivery.
• Mentor and developjunior solicitors, supporting advocacy skills, professional development, training and acollaborative, high-performingteam environment.
• Contribute to lawreform, professional developmentand continuous improvement, while maintaining currentknowledge of criminallaw, practice andprocedure.
• Uphold ALS values, ethical standards andcultural safety, ensuring efficient, accountableand accessible legalservices for Aboriginaland Torres StraitIslander clients.

Your Story & Strengths

You are a skilled and motivated Intermediate Solicitor with strong criminal law expertise, advocacy and leadership skills. You bring cultural awareness, technical excellence and a genuine commitment to justice, community and better futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Key strengths include:

• Hold an ACT Practising Certificatewith at least 3 years’ criminal law experience and strong knowledge of criminal law, practice and procedure.
• Demonstrated advocacy experiencein DistrictCourt, EAGP andcomplex ACT Magistrates, Local and Children’sCourt matters.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to supervise, mentor andsupport a multidisciplinaryteam.
• Commitment to culturally safe, high-quality legal servicesand an understanding of thecultural and socialneeds of Aboriginaland Torres StraitIslander people.
• Excellent organisation andindependence, with the abilityto manage competingpriorities, meet deadlinesand work acrossa diverse workload.
• Willingness and ability to travel for court and training, with a current Working with Vulnerable People Check (or ability to obtain), National Police Check, and commitment toWHS, ethics anddiversity.

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 and 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.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Additional information

• Stand beside Aboriginal communities and make every matter count!
• Balance people, priorities and practice operations every day.
• $129,490 - $138,491 + super + salary packaging & leave loading!

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