Job Description

Managing Criminal Youth Lawyer - Darwin

• Salary | $148,414.22 to $158,498.95
• Location | Dawin
• Full time | 37.5 hours per week.

About NAAJA

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency Ltd (NAAJA) provides high-quality and culturally responsive legal assistance and justice services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Northern Territory. With offices in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, NAAJA is nationally recognised for its advocacy, law reform, education, and crime-prevention work. We are committed to strong representation for our clients and to driving long-term, systemic change in the justice system.

About the Role

The Managing Criminal Youth Lawyer leads NAAJA’s youth criminal law practice in Darwin. This is a senior leadership role in a high-volume, fast-paced practice, responsible for ensuring excellent legal outcomes for young clients and the effective management of a multidisciplinary team. You will balance hands-on advocacy with strategic oversight, supervision, and practice leadership.

Why This Role Is Right for You

• You are passionate about youth justice and addressing systemic disadvantage.
• You thrive in leadership roles and enjoy mentoring and developing others.
• You want to make a tangible difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the Top End.
• You are ready to combine complex legal work with people management and practice development.

What we offer at NAAJA:

• Salary packaging options up to $18,450 per annum tax free
• 6 weeks annual leave
• 3 weeks personal leave
• Relocation Allowance (if eligible and in accordance with Enterprise Agreement)
• Other wellbeing benefits

What You’ll Be Doing in This Role

• Lead and manage the Darwin youth criminal law practice, ensuring the highest professional and ethical standards
• Supervise youth lawyers, administrative officers, social workers and client service officers
• Provide high-quality legal advice and representation in the Youth Justice Court, Local Court and Supreme Court
• Appear in and/or brief counsel on complex matters including committals, Supreme Court pleas and trials, appeals and Court of Criminal Appeal matters
• Coordinate rostering and allocation of matters in collaboration with managing lawyers
• Support training, supervision and professional development of criminal lawyers
• Conduct file audits and ensure compliance with insurer obligations
• Maintain strong engagement with clients, internal stakeholders and the broader justice system
• Identify systemic issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and contribute to law reform, test cases and community legal education
• Travel to and work in circuit (bush) courts where required

What We’re Looking For

You will bring strong legal expertise, proven leadership capability, and a deep commitment to culturally responsive practice. You will be resilient, organised, and able to lead a busy practice while maintaining excellent client service.

Requirements

• To be successful in this role, you will have:
• Admission (or eligibility for admission) as a legal practitioner in the Northern Territory
• Minimum 5 years post-admission experience in criminal law
• Significant advocacy experience, including trial and appellate work
• Demonstrated experience supervising and managing legal and non-legal staff
• A strong understanding of the disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in the Top End
• Strong organisational, time-management and computer skills
• A current manual driver’s licence (4WD experience desirable)
• Ability to obtain a Working With Children Clearance (Ochre Card)
• Satisfactory criminal history check and no history of disqualification from legal practice

How to apply

Applicants for this position must submit a cover letter and resume addressing the essential criteria.

Enquiries can be sent to peopleandcapability@naaja.org.au.

**Emailed applications will not be accepted**

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

Applications close: 4 April 2026.