Managing Solicitor

Introduction

Hunter Community Legal Centre is recruiting for the position of Managing Solicitor (MS) following the retirement of our current MS. Hunter CLC is ideally looking to fill the role in late 2025 or early 2026 to allow for a handover with the existing MS. The Board encourages applications from either within or outside the CLC sector. Hunter CLC is a supportive and collegiate environment; the successful candidate will have the full support of our Board of Management and Hunter CLC's senior staff, including in transitioning into the role. Hunter CLC values work/life balance, diversity and providing a culturally and psychosocially safe workplace environment. As a registered charity Hunter CLC can offer salary sacrificing arrangements along with additional leave as part of an overall salary package.

Who We Are

Community Legal Centers (CLCs) across Australia provide access to justice to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our community. Our Centre has over 30 years of experience as a CLC and provides free legal assistance and community legal education to the people living and working in the Hunter region. Hunter CLC's Legal team provides legal assistance in; ADVO & APVO, employment, consumer, traffic, fines & penalties, credit & debt, motor vehicle accident, coronial matters, missing persons & victims services and Family Law in Parenting, Property & Divorce. The Hunter CLC is based in our Cooks Hill office, our Centre operates 9-5 Monday to Friday with flexible working arrangements available. Periodic travel to other parts of the Hunter region may be required to provide court duty, outreach and community legal education services.

Position purpose

The Managing Solicitor is responsible for the overall management of Hunter CLC, including staffing, service delivery, program management, resourcing of the Board of Management (BOM), compliance, strategic planning, providing legal advice and engaging in community legal education and law reform activities as required. The MS role is to manage and supervise the Centre's legal practice to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed legal services to disadvantaged clients; ensure professional compliance and risk management. The MS will also act as a public face to the organization to maintain and develop relationships with our funders, stakeholders, partner organizations and the community.

Reports to

The Board of Management of Hunter Community Legal Centre

Direct reports

Lawyers/Solicitors, Volunteer/Sessional Lawyers, Paralegals, Intake/Advice Officers, PLT Students, and other legal practice staff.

Location & status

Our Office is located at 19 Queen Street Cooks Hill NSW 2300

Key responsibilities

Indicative duties include but are not limited to:

1. Staff Recruitment and Management

2. Service Delivery and Program Management

3. Resourcing and Reporting to the BOM

4. Compliance

5. Strategic planning

6. Providing legal advice, casework and representation

7. Community Legal Education and Law Reform

8. General duties & Policy compliance

9. Sector engagement & partnerships

*A full position description is available on request.

Essential selection criteria

• Admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of NSW and eligible to hold (or currently holding) an unrestricted practising certificate; suitable to be appointed as a managing/principal solicitor of a community legal practice.

• Significant post-admission experience (typically 5–8+ years) in relevant areas of law, including litigation/advocacy experience.

• Demonstrated excellence in legal supervision, practice management and quality assurance.

• Strong knowledge of: Legal Profession Uniform Law/Rules (NSW), legal ethics and professional obligations; CLC Risk Management Guide/PII Scheme and National Accreditation Scheme standards; trauma-informed, culturally safe service delivery and access to justice principles.

• Proven capacity to manage competing priorities, lead teams, and deliver measurable outcomes.

• Excellent written/oral communication, stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills.

• Commitment to the values of the community legal sector, including self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and rights-based practice.

• A current Valid NSW Driving License and a willingness to drive their own vehicle.

Desirable

• Experience in community legal centres, Legal Aid or other legal assistance services.

• Experience in policy, law reform, strategic litigation and/or CLE program design.

• Lived experience and/or strong connections with our priority communities.

• Current NSW Driver Licence and willingness to travel for outreach.

Compliance requirements

• NSW Working With Children Check (if required by role), National Police Check, and proof of the right to work in Australia.

Remuneration & benefits

• Salary per SCHADS Award (or relevant instrument) + superannuation; salary packaging available.

• Flexible work arrangements; regular CPD and supervision; access to EAP.

How to apply

Please apply for this role through Seek, Applications should be accompanied by a covering letter addressing the selection criteria and outlining the applicant's suitability for the role. To be successful all applicants will need to undergo both criminal records & Working with Children Checks.