Managing Solicitor, Criminal Law Practice

Aboriginal Legal Service; Griffith City; On-site; AUD 157,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual area allowance (Griffith)

Salary packaging

Leave loading 17.5%

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT is seeking a Managing Solicitor for the Criminal Law Practice in NSW. You will lead the Wagga and Griffith cluster, delivering high-quality, culturally safe criminal legal services while guiding strategy, practice development and governance across the team.

You will supervise workloads, support professional development, and collaborate with stakeholders to advance justice and community outcomes.

Qualifications

• Current NSW Practising Certificate with at least five years’ experience in criminal law.
• Leadership experience, including supervising teams and workloads.
• Experience representing Aboriginal clients and working in culturally safe practice.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to manage priorities.
• Commitment to community justice and cultural safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal representation in criminal matters across Local, District and Children’s Courts.
• Lead and supervise the Wagga & Griffith cluster, including mentoring and performance management.
• Manage workloads, court schedules, and briefing external counsel.
• Engage with community and stakeholders to improve service delivery.
• Contribute to policies, procedures and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Criminal law

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Current NSW Practising Certificate with at least five years’ experience in criminal law

Job description

Managing Solicitor, Criminal Law Practice

Job: 1692729 | Full-Time | Permanent | Wagga Wagga or Griffith NSW| $157,225 - $162,152 (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 You’ll play a key role in leading the delivery of high-quality, culturally safe legal services across the Wagga & Griffith cluster. The role provides strategic and operational leadership to the team, while driving effective legal practice, service delivery and positive outcomes for Aboriginal clients and communities. Each day, you will:

• Provide high-quality legal representationin complex criminal matters across Local, District and Children’s Courts, including committals and higher court appearances.
• Lead and support the Wagga & Griffith cluster, providing supervision, mentoring, performance management and professional development to team members.
• Manage workloads and operational priorities, including work allocation, court schedules, resources and briefing external legal representatives to ensure effective service delivery.
• Strengthen community engagement and partnershipsthrough outreach, community legal education and collaboration with key legal, government and community stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement and professional excellenceby contributing to policies, procedures, practice development and knowledge sharing across the Criminal Law Practice.
• Ensure strong governance and compliance, upholding professional obligations, ALS policies, WHS requirements and culturally safe and ethical service delivery.

Your Story & Strengths You are a skilled and motivated legal leader who understands and respects the cultural, social, and historical context that shapes the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You bring strong criminal law expertise, proven leadership capability and a deep commitment to community and justice. Key strengths include:

• Current NSW Practising Certificatewith at least five years’ experience in criminal law and demonstrated experience managing legal services, workloads and teams.
• Strong criminal law expertise, including experience representing Aboriginal clients, managing complex matters and briefing and instructing Counsel.
• Proven leadership and people management capability, with strong skills in supervision, mentoring, performance management, negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work autonomously.
• Demonstrated cultural capability and commitmentto Aboriginal communities, including an understanding and respect for Aboriginal culture, history and community needs.
• Sound legal judgement and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex matters, manage risk and uphold high standards of professional and ethical practice.

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:

• Enjoy the perks of our annual $5000 area allowance if located in Griffith!
• 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 Children (NSW) 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 This is a summary of some key points:

• Connect with community and lead your team to drive better outcomes!
• Oversee workloads, manage people and drive service delivery across your regions.
• $157,225 - $162,152 + super + salary packaging & leave loading!