Intermediate Solicitor (Criminal Law Practice, ACT)

Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT; Canberra; On-site; AUD 129,000 - 138,000; 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 NSW/ACT in Canberra seeks an Intermediate Solicitor to lead the delivery of high-quality, culturally safe criminal law services across ACT and NSW. You will provide advocacy, mentor staff, supervise matter allocation, rostering, and briefing counsel.

You will mentor junior solicitors, contribute to law reform, and maintain ethical standards while building strong relationships with courts and justice partners.

Qualifications

• Hold an ACT Practising Certificate with at least 3 years’ criminal law experience and strong knowledge of criminal law, practice and procedure.
• Demonstrated advocacy experience in District Court, EAGP and complex ACT Magistrates, Local and Children’s Court matters.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to supervise, mentor and support a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to culturally safe, high-quality legal services and an understanding of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Excellent organisation and independence, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work across a diverse workload.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, culturally appropriate criminal law advice, advocacy and representation across the ACT and NSW jurisdictions, including complex and sentence matters.
• Support the effective day-to-day operation of the practice, including staff supervision, matter allocation, rostering, diary management, EAGP coordination and briefing counsel.
• Build strong relationships with courts, DPP, Legal Aid, Community Corrections and other justice stakeholders to support effective client outcomes and service delivery.
• Mentor and develop junior solicitors, supporting advocacy skills, professional development, training and a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Contribute to law reform, professional development and continuous improvement, while maintaining current knowledge of criminallaw, practice and procedure.
• Uphold ALS values, ethical standards and cultural safety, ensuring efficient, accountable and accessible legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.

Skills

Criminal law

Advocacy

Leadership

Education

ACT Practising Certificate

Job description

Intermediate Solicitor (Criminal Law Practice, ACT)

Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT – Canberra 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 representation across the ACT and NSW jurisdictions, including complex and sentence matters.
• Support the effective day-to-day operation of the practice, including staff supervision, matter allocation, rostering, diary management, EAGP coordination and briefing counsel.
• Build strong relationships with courts, DPP, Legal Aid, Community Corrections and other justice stakeholders to support effective client outcomes and service delivery.
• Mentor and develop junior solicitors, supporting advocacy skills, professional development, training and a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Contribute to law reform, professional development and continuous improvement, while maintaining current knowledge of criminallaw, practice and procedure.
• Uphold ALS values, ethical standards and cultural safety, ensuring efficient, accountable and accessible legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 Certificate with at least 3 years’ criminal law experience and strong knowledge of criminal law, practice and procedure.
• Demonstrated advocacy experience in District Court, EAGP and complex ACT Magistrates, Local and Children’s Court matters.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to supervise, mentor and support a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to culturally safe, high-quality legal services and an understanding of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Excellent organisation and independence, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work across a 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 to WHS, ethics and diversity.

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.