Solicitor

Seniors Rights Service; Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 115,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with NFP Salary Pkg

Enhanced leave provisions including 6‑

Six week paid parental leave

Job summary

Seniors Rights Service in NSW seeks a capable Solicitor to provide high-quality generalist legal information, advice, representation and support to older people across NSW, with a focus on tenancy, guardianship, consumer rights and elder law.

Based in Parramatta with occasional work from the Surry Hills office, the role includes court/tribunal representation, community legal education and involvement in law reform initiatives, under supervision.

Qualifications

• Current NSW practicing certificate and at least two years post-admission experience.
• Broad knowledge across the main areas of generalist community legal centre law (tenancy, guardianship, consumer, debt, discrimination, human rights, family and domestic violence, Wills and powers of attorney).
• Excellent legal research, interpersonal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide phone, virtual and face-to-face advice and casework to older clients.
• Undertake tribunal or court work and ADR advocacy.
• Present community legal education seminars across NSW.
• Assist in developing legal education collateral, resources and promotional materials.
• Conduct research and contribute to law reform projects.
• Assist clients to obtain Legal Aid or pro-bono support as appropriate.
• Prepare casework reports for staff meetings and board reports.
• Work with staff, volunteers and students with limited supervision.

Skills

Legal research

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Negotiation

Problem solving

Education

Law degree / admitted solicitor

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Full time role based in Parramatta and Surry Hills NSW.

Great flexibility with access to hybrid work arrangements.

Salary $115,339 - $120,437 +Super +Salary Packaging.

About the role

Under the limited direction of the Principal Solicitor and other senior Solicitors, the Solicitor will provide high-quality generalist legal information, advice, representation, and other legal assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged older people across NSW. The Solicitor will provide assistance in areas of law such as residential tenancy, guardianship, consumer, credit and debt, discrimination, human rights, family and domestic violence, Wills and powers of attorney as well as specialist advice in strata issues and/or aged care and supported accommodation, including residential aged care facilities.

The Solicitor will be predominantly based in Parramatta and will also work from our Surry Hills office.

This position offers a rewarding opportunity to provide essential advice and casework for older people facing disadvantage. Key responsibilities include representing clients in tribunals and courts, as well as engaging in alternative dispute resolution.

The role also emphasises the importance of community engagement through the delivery of legal education seminars throughout NSW, along with the development of valuable educational resources and promotional materials. In addition to this, you will conduct research and contribute to impactful law reform initiatives, prepare casework and client matter reports for internal use, establish organisational programs and procedures and work effectively with staff, volunteers and law students with limited supervision of law students and volunteers.

Seniors Rights Service operates in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment which requires flexibility, adaptability and initiative as well as excellent organisation and critical thinking skills.

Why work for Seniors Rights Service?

Our vision is a society that respects and upholds the rights of older people.

Seniors Rights Service is a specialist community legal centre that provides free legal services, aged care advocacy and rights education and information to older people across New South Wales. This is a pivotal moment to join our team. As more older people seek aged care services, our organisation is continuously evolving to meet the expanding need for our services.

If you have a natural talent for connecting with people, have relevant experience and want to work for an organisation dedicated to supporting one of the most vulnerable groups in our communities, we want to hear from you.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide phone, virtual and face to face advice and casework to older people who may be disadvantaged.
• Undertake tribunal or court work, as well as alternative dispute resolution advocacy on behalf of clients prior to tribunal or court.
• Present community legal education seminars across NSW as required.
• Assist in the development of community legal education collateral, resources and promotional materials.
• Perform research and assist with law reform projects.
• Assist clients to obtain Legal Aid or pro-bono support as appropriate.
• Provide casework and client matter reports for inclusion in staff meeting and board reports.
• Contribute to team discussions to improve service provision to callers and clients.
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the Principal Solicitor, Manager Legal Service.
• Attend and participate in CLCNSW Quarterlies and CLCA Conferences as relevant.
• Attend mandatory training sessions and other training specific to your position.
• Some intrastate and interstate travel may be required.
• Current NSW practicing certificate (or ability to obtain one) with at least two years post admission experience.
• Broad knowledge and/or demonstrated experience across the main areas of law of a generalist Community Legal Centre such as residential tenancy, guardianship, consumer, credit and debt, discrimination, human rights, family and domestic violence, Wills and powers of attorney.
• Excellent legal research, interpersonal and written communication skills with the ability to interact sensitively and effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, decision making and problem solving.
• Ability to develop and present community legal education sessions.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently and prioritise your work and deliver results.
• A passion for social change and contributing to an organisation dedicated to supporting the most disadvantaged people in our communities.
• Highly proficient with technology and software, including Microsoft Office 365.
• Prepared to undertake and maintain a National Criminal History check and NSW driver’s license as a condition of employment.
• Experience a collaborative and fun work culture in a growing organisation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with NFP Salary Packaging benefits.
• Enhanced leave provisions including gifted leave.
• Six week paid parental leave.

At Seniors Rights Service we seek a workforce that is as diverse as our society. We believe diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and core values and we demonstrate this commitment through all our employment practices. Our inclusive workplace culture contributes to making Seniors Rights Service a great place to work. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply. Additionally, we believe vaccination to be the best way to keep our employees and clients safe and strongly encourage vaccination against Influenza and COVID-19.