Legal Officer

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Legal Officer to join our in-house legal team. This role involves a high volume of litigation and advocacy, including appearances in tribunals and courts, and providing strategic legal advice to organisers, delegates, and members.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Skills:

• Advanced Legal Knowledge: Extensive understanding of industrial law, legislation, and instruments (e.g., awards, enterprise agreements, employment contracts).

• Document Drafting & Filing: Proficient in preparing and filing complex legal documents, including court applications, tribunal materials, and industrial documents.

• Legal Research & Analysis: Ability to analyse and interpret industrial legislation, case law, and other legal materials to provide accurate advice.
• Complex Advocacy: Experienced in advocating in contested hearings, arbitrations, conciliations, and mediations in industrial tribunals and courts.

• External Collaboration: Skilled in instructing external law firms and Counsel for complex matters.

• Communication Skills: Effective communicator with members, stakeholders, and external entities on complex industrial/legal issues.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Ability to mentor junior officers, guiding them in case management, legal strategies, and professional development.

Experience:

• More than 2 years post-admission experience as a Legal Officer in an industrial relations/legal environment.

• Extensive experience working with Union tools and systems (MS Office suite).

• Experience providing advice on industrial and legal matters, including discipline, redundancy, performance management, and return to work issues.

• Strong background in analysing, interpreting, and advising on industrial legislation and agreements, and drafting complex legal documents.

• Practical experience in representing clients in industrial tribunals and courts, both in procedural hearings and contested cases.

• Extensive experience managing case files, meeting deadlines, and ensuring compliance with Tribunal and Court Orders.

• In-depth understanding of enterprise bargaining and supporting Union interests through legal channels.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Core Responsibilities:

• Advisory Role: Provide in-depth advice on employment processes such as discipline, performance management, redundancy, medical fitness, and return to work.

• Document Drafting: Draft and file complex applications in industrial tribunals, including legal correspondence, enterprise agreements, and other industrial documents.

• Legal Analysis: Analyse and interpret industrial legislation, awards, and enterprise agreements to provide practical advice.

• Advocacy: Represent the Union in conciliations, mediations, procedural hearings, and non-contentious hearings.

• Case Management: Manage allocated case files, ensuring effective planning, prioritizing work, and compliance with Tribunal and Court Orders.

• Enterprise Bargaining: Assist and advise in enterprise bargaining negotiations and related legal tasks.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Court Representation: Draft and file applications in courts; appear in procedural or uncontested hearings.

• Contested Hearings/Arbitrations: Advocate in contested hearings and arbitrations in industrial tribunals.

• External Legal Collaboration: Instruct external law firms and Counsel, working closely with external teams to prepare and execute legal strategies.

• Government and Policy Advocacy: Prepare submissions and advocate for the Union's position in government reviews, consultations, and enquiries.

• Strategic Legal Opportunities: Identify and capitalise on industrial and legal opportunities that support Union organising, social, or political campaigns.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Mentor junior Industrial/Legal Officers (IO/LOs) and Assistant Research Officers, offering guidance in case management, legal processes, and professional development.