Job Description

ABOUT WLSQ:

Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) provides high quality legal and social support services to women, specialising in the areas of family law, domestic violence, child protection, financial counselling and sexual assault though our counselling notes protect program, and migration and criminal law. WLSQ is committed to a society where every woman:

• can live free from violence and discrimination.
• can tell her story, have it heard and respected, without judgement.
• receives a just and equitable outcome from legal and social systems.

WLSQ is committed to the Queensland Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle. We believe every child and young person has the right to be safe and respected and children's safety and wellbeing is prioritised in our decision making. We are committed to creating a culturally safe environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families feel welcome, valued, and respected. We recognise that cultural safety is fundamental to child safety. We regularly review our practices and listen to feedback from our community to strengthen our safety systems.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Supervising Solicitor provides leadership, supervision and expert guidance to the team to ensure the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed and culturally safe legal services for women across Queensland. In addition to providing legal services, the role oversees legal practice standards, supports professional development, and ensures compliance with policies and risk management frameworks in criminal law matters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Leadership and Management of the Criminal Law Team:

• Oversee the provision of quality legal and non-legal work by conducting file reviews and quality audits, facilitating team and case management meetings and investigating client complaints
• Consult with staff and provide advice on complex legal matters
• Review and sign off on advice, legal tasks and ongoing legal services provided by Solicitors to ensure accurate and compliant advice
• Coordinate workflows and workloads to ensure the smooth running of the team and appropriate utilisation of people
• Attend to all management responsibilities including recruitment of legal and non-legal staff, induction and onboarding of new staff, ongoing training and development, rostering, resolution of issues and grievances, managing performance and conduct issues and developing and maintaining professional development plans (PDP’s)
• Ensure mandatory training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements are met
• Communicate team goals and objectives and monitor progress to ensure the team is performing at a high standard
• Develop, implement and ensure compliance with criminal law criteria and referral processes.
• Foster a collaborative team culture for staff which is professional, productive and supportive and consistent with the WLSQ Values and feminist principles
• Build strong professional relationships with external stakeholders and referral partners.
• Report any issues relating to operational and / or legal risk to the Legal Practice Director

B. Provide holistic, trauma-informed and culturally safe legal services to women across Queensland:

• Provide legal advice, case work and representation for criminal law matters.
• Represent clients in relevant Courts as a solicitor advocate or brief counsel where appropriate.
• Ensure the Criminal Law Team provides legal services in accordance with WLSQ policy and practice and the National Association of Community Legal Centres Australia (CLCA) Risk Management Guide.
• Advise the Legal Practice Director on issues relating to operational and / or legal risk.

C. Work closely with the advice team and other specialist legal teams, social work and financial abuse prevention teams to provide holistic, wrap around support for women to address both legal and non-legal issues

D. Identify and respond to risk and safety considerations, including making appropriate referrals where necessary:

• Ensure risk and safety considerations are routinely and comprehensively addressed in all legal work undertaken which provides information, legal advice, minor task assistance, ongoing legal support or representation to clients experiencing domestic and family violence
• Ensure appropriate referrals are made to the internal Social Work team for any identified safety considerations and for risk assessments to be made.
• Liaise with external agencies and make referrals where services are more appropriately provided or should be supplemented through accessing another service.

E. Develop and deliver community legal education and contribute to WLSQ’s law

reform activities.

F. Adhere to the vision and values of WLSQ:

• Develop respectful and professional relationships with WLSQ team members and key stakeholders.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively towards the WLSQ strategy.
• Perform any other reasonable duties as requested by the CEO or Legal Practice Director.

SELECTION CRITERIA / SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES:

1. Minimum of 5 years’ post admission experience and legal practice experience in criminal law or related fields, including demonstrated experience providing legal advice on complex matters, drafting court documents and managing ongoing files.

2. Demonstrated experience in managing and supervising a team of professional

and administrative staff, including the provision of performance management

and feedback, recruitment and other personnel or workforce requirements.

3. Demonstrated leadership experience in delivering legal services and meeting organisational objectives while fostering a respectful and inclusive working environment where health, safety and wellbeing are promoted and prioritised.

4. Well-developed relationship management and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to engage with a range of audiences and stakeholders internal and external to WLSQ with the ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment.

5. Demonstrated extensive knowledge of resources and services for information and referral of clients and families/carers.

6. Sound knowledge and understanding of legal and social issues affecting women, particularly the gender-based violence.

7. Ability to communicate effectively and work sensitively with clients from diverse backgrounds including vulnerable clients including those:

a. Who may have experienced domestic violence and/or trauma;

b. With a disability;

c. From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and/or

d. From Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

8. Ability to build relationships with external stakeholders to ensure collaborative partnerships align with organisational goals.

9. Capacity to evaluate and improve organisational workflows and processes to maximise productivity and reduce inefficiencies.

10. Ability to provide expert, specialist guidance to multiple areas of the organisation, enhancing the integration of evidence-based practices across service delivery.

11. Skills in coaching and supporting employees to solve complex problems and navigate challenging situations.

12. Ability to lead teams to achieve strategic goals, improving overall organisational performance, manages and driving successful projects

13. Anticipating future challenges and opportunities and making decisions that position the organisation to achieve the goals desired.

14. Commitment to and ability to work within a feminist framework and to work independently and as a member of a team.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

This role requires the incumbent to hold and maintain the following:

• Unrestricted Practicing Certificate
• Admission to the High Court of Australia
• Working With Children Check (Blue Card)
• Open Queensland Driver Licence
• National Police Check

It is a genuine occupational requirement for this position that the incumbent be a woman (Section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld)). WLSQ values diversity and inclusion and welcomes requests for reasonable adjustments at any time throughout your employment and/or as part of our recruitment process.

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

• Salary Packaging: Take advantage of not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax liability and maximise your take-home pay.
• Remuneration package: from $63.13 to $65.77 per hour plus statutory super and Attractive salary sacrifice options.
• Career Development: Access to career and professional development opportunities, including conferences, events, and a dedicated training and supervision budget.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling services available for you and your family.
• Additional Leave Entitlements: Enjoy additional paid parental leave and extra leave during the Christmas and New Year period.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: We’re open to discussing how we can tailor this role to fit your needs.
• Inclusive Work Culture: Be part of a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
• Ongoing Training: Participate in continuous training programs throughout the year to enhance your skills.
• On-Site Amenities: Enjoy complimentary snacks and fresh fruit available in the workplace

APPLY NOW!

To apply for this position, click on 'apply' and upload a copy of your cover letter and CV.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this position.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Should you have any questions or would like a copy of the Position Description for the role, please feel free to contact the People and Culture team by phone on 07 3392 0644 or email at peopleandculture@wlsq.org.au.