Solicitor / Lead Solicitor

The organisation

Based in Toowoomba with offices in Ipswich, Goondiwindi, Roma, Hervey Bay, and Gympie, Tasc Community Legal Centre provides a broad range of services including legal advice and advocacy to clients across the Greater Southern Queensland region. Key to our ongoing success are solicitors who are knowledgeable, patient, and tenacious, and a culture that is engaging, supportive, and driven to provide the best possible experience and outcomes for clients in a values-based framework.

The position

Joining our team in either Toowoomba, Ipswich, Goondiwindi or Roma, the Solicitor will assist clients through the provision of legal advice, casework, education in our community, law reform, regional outreach, and collaboration with junior staff, students and volunteers. Candidates appointed at Level 6 will also provide mentoring and supervision to junior legal staff.

As a Solicitor with Tasc, you will advise on a broad range of legal matters including family law and domestic violence, criminal, civil disputes, elder abuse, child protection, and other areas of law as they arise, or are identified as a community need. Provision of Duty Lawyer services at local and remote courts, and representation in Mental Health Tribunal matters is also expected, and training for accreditation will be provided. Some travel between our offices is necessary for training and development, as is rostered participation in remote outreach clinics of between 2-4 nights duration which run throughout the year. A work vehicle is provided for these trips.

You will have the flexibility to structure your practice within established operational requirements and in response to community needs, applying your skills and knowledge to deliver meaningful outcomes for clients. You can also explore other practice areas, develop and manage projects such as advice clinics and programs to raise awareness of the services we provide in our communities.

The person

The ability to consider your work through the lens of client impact is essential. To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A current practising certificate, or the ability to immediately obtain one.
• Eligibility to obtain a Positive Notice for Working with Children and Disability Services (Blue and Yellow Cards).
• A minimum of 3 years post-admission experience and experience in at least one of the practice areas outlined above.
• A commitment to ongoing professional development and expanding your legal knowledge and skills.
• Sound professional judgement, strong problem-solving skills and a collaborative approach to practice.
• A commitment to trauma-informed, client-centred service delivery.
• Alignment with Tasc’s values of Integrity, Adaptability, Courage and Empowerment.
• Professionalism, resilience and the ability to value and respect the contributions of others.
• Experience working with vulnerable clients and an understanding of the challenges faced by disadvantaged individuals and communities.

The following will be highly regarded:

• Experience working within a Community Legal Centre, Legal Aid or multidisciplinary service environment.
• For candidates seeking appointment at Level 6, demonstrated experience mentoring, supervising or providing professional leadership to other legal practitioners.

You will be based in Toowoomba, Ipswich, Goondiwindi or Roma, with travel to other offices, including some regional overnight travel as necessary to ensure consistency of service coverage.

Salary and classification will be at SCHADS Award Level 5+ or Level 6+, depending on qualifications, experience and demonstrated capability. Candidates appointed at Level 6 will be expected to provide leadership and mentoring support to junior legal staff and contribute to the development of legal practice across the organisation.

We offer above Award wages and conditions, including additional paid leave over Christmas, and salary packaging is offered to increase your take-home pay. We cover the cost of your professional membership, ongoing development, and practising certificate, and provide other wellbeing initiatives to support you at work.

To apply for this role, click “Apply Now” and submit your CV together with a cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining your suitability for the role, including your relevant experience, skills and what attracts you to working with Tasc. For further information about the position, please contact recruitment@tascnational.org.au.