Deputy Managing Lawyer (Darwin) - Civil Law

Deputy Managing Lawyer (Darwin) - Civil Law

Position Title Deputy Managing Lawyer (Darwin) - Civil Law

Salary EO 2.3 ($141,431)

FTE Fulltime

Location Darwin

Commencement ASAP

Positions 1

Reports to Managing Lawyer - Civil Section

ABOUT NAAJA

Be a part of one of Australia's most dynamic, diverse, and challenging legal practices. NAAJA provides legal aid for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory, with offices in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs.

We are a leading Australian legal service and have received both National and Northern Territory human rights awards for our work. We are committed to providing quality representation for our clients and bringing about long-term change in the justice system. Our staff are motivated, dedicated and do work that matters.

• Salary packaging options
• 6 weeks annual leave per year with leave loading

Position Overview:

NAAJA's civil law practice is an extremely busy and diverse one, with practice areas including police accountability, child protection, adult guardianship, consumer, discrimination, tenancy, social security and victims of crime assistance claims.

NAAJA seeks appropriately qualified legal practitioners who have the personal and professional attributes to be a successful member of its Civil Law team and maintain carriage of a challenging practice.

The work requires high levels of motivation, energy and a commitment to professional excellence.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Reporting Relationships:

The Deputy Managing Lawyer will report to the Managing Lawyer - Civil Section.

General Description:

TheDeputy Managing Lawyer is a senior civil lawyer based in the Darwin office, working closely with the Managing Lawyer, the regional Deputy Managing Lawyers and the lawyers and support staff in the Darwin office.

The role requires a person with good organisational ability as well as developed legal and supervisory experience and skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Managing Lawyer to oversee the efficient and effective management and administration of the Darwin Civil Law practice.
• Support the Managing Lawyer to supervise lawyers and oversee the conduct of complex civil law matters.
• Lead NAAJA's Civil Law legal work outside of the practice group model including leading practice supervision, resource development and strategic thinking.
• Work collaboratively with the other NAAJA Civil Law offices.
• Undertake responsibilities of the Managing Lawyer in their absence and as delegated.
• Advise and represent NAAJA clients in civil law matters.

DUTIES

• Supervision of legal staff including supervising the grant of aid process, supervising legal work of Darwin based staff, allocating work, approving intake and conducting regular file reviews.
• Oversee and lead office wellbeing.
• Oversee the administrative operations of the Darwin Civil practice including organisation of town based and remote Darwin clinics, civil calendars and duty rosters and services.
• In conjunction with the Practice Manager, support and monitor the support staff attendance and performance and conduct regular reviews in accordance with NAAJA policies.
• Undertake casework, court work and conduct clinics.
• Conduct remote area advice clinics with capacity to spend up to 4 nights away.
• Support the Managing Lawyer to monitor compliance with NAAJA's funding and professional obligations in the conduct of the civil law practice.
• Report to the Managing Lawyer.
• Act as Managing Lawyer when required.
• Representing the Civil section at internal meetings and representing the Civil Section and/or NAAJA at meetings with external agencies.
• Together with the Managing Lawyer, coordinate and facilitate regular practice meetings of the Civil Law Section and assist with the organisation of other relevant meetings with stakeholders that are necessary for the good management of the Civil Section.
• Other duties as reasonably directed.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Eligibility for Admission as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and the High Court of Australia.
• Eligibility for an unrestricted practicing certificate with 5+ years post qualification experience.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake civil litigation and casework and provide civil law advice with limited supervision.
• Excellent organisational skills, and a proven ability to mentor and/or supervise legal and non-legal staff.
• Ability to identify policy/law reform issues of relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory, including an awareness of current issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and understanding of their aspirations.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills including effective cross-cultural communication skills, and willingness to work with cultural and language interpreters.
• Satisfactory criminal history check and no history of disqualification from employment by a legal practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work constructively with a diverse team of legal and non-legal staff to achieve NAAJA's goals.
• Well-developed time management skills including ability to meet deadlines and manage a diverse legal practice.
• Ability to obtain a "
  Working with Children Clearance"
  (Ochre Card) upon commencement.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• An ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• An understanding of the role and function of NAAJA and a general knowledge of the legal process.

Appointment subject to:

• Work rights within Australia.
• National Criminal history check

Considerations:

• This position requires you to apply for a Working with Children Clearance/Ochre Card prior to your employment commencement date and send us receipt of payment. This will be at your own cost.
• Non-smoking working environment.
• The contact details of at least two referees are required.
• Evidence of qualification attainment will be required.

How to Apply:

Applicants for this position must address the selection criteria in their written application, which should be sent to

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.