The Senior Lawyer will provide high-quality legal services to clients in a culturally safe and appropriate manner within a trauma-informed and multi-disciplinary framework.

This role delivers front-line legal services and casework assistance and reports directly to the Managing Lawyer in the relevant knowmore office and assists that role in providing support, mentoring, and professional supervision to other lawyers in the legal team.

The role works collaboratively as a member of the national legal team and within knowmore's multi-disciplinary model, working alongside other teams delivering intake, social work, and cultural support services to clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality advice and representation to clients in relation to the legal issues arising from their experience of sexual abuse, including in relation to their redress options.
• Support the Managing Lawyer to lead knowmore's service delivery to clients in a local office and to work co-operatively with knowmore's other teams to ensure clients' legal and related needs are identified and actioned in an effective and consistent way.
• Contribute as a professional member of a national legal practice; ensuring compliance by self and supervised legal staff with professional and corporate responsibilities.
• Assist the Managing Lawyer in conducting regular file reviews and monitoring and contributing to the development and continuous improvement of service delivery standards, policies, and precedents.
• Ensure all relevant service data is recorded.
• Support the development of effective working relationships and referral arrangements with other service providers.
• Undertake legal research and drafting to support knowmore's contributions to law reform and policy and procedural initiatives relating to its client group.
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of community legal education and other engagement activities and materials.
• Assist in the day-to-day supervision and coordination of the activities of volunteers and pro bono providers.
• Proactively manage own self-care and workload, and model a commitment to self-care and resilience.
• Act as the Managing Lawyer when required from time to time.
• Undertake other duties and projects as directed.

Selection Criteria

• Hold or be eligible to immediately obtain a current unrestricted practising certificate in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 3 years post-admission experience.
• A strong awareness of the legal issues facing survivors of child sexual abuse and demonstrated experience practicing in a relevant area or areas of law.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership and supervising and assisting more junior legal staff to identify and manage priorities, meet timelines, and comply with the responsibilities of legal practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a larger multi-disciplinary team of legal and non-legal staff.
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and experience in providing culturally safe services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to identify broader and systemic issues arising from casework and to develop appropriate responses and to contribute to policy development and law reform activities.
• Proactively manage own care and workload.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work in regional, rural, and remote areas.
• Capacity to accept and respond appropriately to constructive feedback regarding professional capability and work performance.

Qualifications and other Requirements

A relevant tertiary qualification and professional accreditation is required.

The role may involve intrastate and interstate travel to deliver services to clients on an outreach basis, and to undertake community engagement activities.

A current driver's licence is desirable.

Organisational Obligations

• Share our values and have a strong commitment to improving the lives of survivors of child abuse.
• First Nations cultural competency – to work in ways that recognise and counteract privilege and bias, and appreciate the values, traditions, belief systems, and experience of First Nations People.
• Demonstrate an active and dedicated commitment to knowmore's Purpose, Vision, and Values.
• Commitment to working within and supporting knowmore's practice framework (trauma-informed culturally safe, person-centred).
• Comply with knowmore's Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all legal and legislative requirements.
• Ensure a high level of confidentiality and integrity.
• Assist in the development of, and participate in knowmore's initiatives, projects, and events.
• Cultivate productive and collaborative working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous improvement, and transparent work practices.
• Liaise with others in a professional, respectful, and constructive manner.
• Take reasonable care to protect their health and safety and the health and safety of others.
• To engage in professional supervision and other reflective practice opportunities as required.