Address: PO BOX 84, St Albans, 3021

Ph: 03 8312 2030 Fax: 03 9367 9438

ABN: 75 989 153 699 ACN: 603 318 494

Community Lawyer – Family Law/Family Violence

Comm Unity Plus Service Ltd delivers a range of early intervention and prevention programs focusing on informing and engaging with our community through high quality Adult Education, Neighbourhood House, Legal (through the Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre – Offices in both Melton and St Albans) and Family Support programs as well as community engagement and development activities.

Position Objective:

BMCLC delivers high quality legal services to those who need it most in our Brimbank, Melton and Bacchus Marsh communities. BMCLC has two offices, one located in St Albans and the other located in Melton.

The Community Lawyer – Family Law / Family Violence will work closely with the Senior Lawyer(s) and Principal Solicitor in undertaking legal work and demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence as a legal practitioner. The focus of the role will be to work primarily in family violence and family law, however there is an expectation that the role will be flexible to accommodate operational requirements.

The Community Lawyer – Family Law/Family Violence will deliver legal advice, casework, advocacy and community legal education in a way which addresses legal needs in the region. In addition, the role will play an important part in identifying systemic legal issues and undertaking law reform work as directed by the Principal and the Director- Legal Practice.

Part A: Organisation

Comm Unity Plus Services Ltd Vision and Values
Vision: Building the capacity of our community by respecting diversity and striving for social justice
Values: Engage with our community by being collaborative and inclusive
Respond to the needs of our community and develop innovative and flexible services
Accountable by providing beneficial and sustainable programs

Part B: Position Specifications

Relationships
Division: / Legal Program
Reports to: / Senior Lawyer – Family Violence Coordinator
Internal: / Director – Legal Practice, Principal Lawyer, Senior Lawyer, Community Lawyers, Office Manager, Volunteers, Corporate Services Staff
External: / Clients, Community Stakeholders
Key Accountabilities
·  Casework, advice and information
·  Community Legal Education and Law Reform
·  Stakeholder and Community Engagement
·  Compliance, Risk and Accountability
Key Accountabilities
Casework, advice and information
·  Take responsibility for specialist legal advice clinics, some of which will be delivered though outreach and community partnerships.
·  Undertake and maintain a caseload for BMCLC clients with a focus on family law and family violence.
·  Represent clients at courts and tribunals as required.
Compliance, Risk and Accountability
·  Mentor paralegal staff and volunteers.
·  Assist to orientate new legal staff or volunteers to BMCLC legal practice guidelines and procedures as directed by the Principal and Program Manager- Legal Practice.
·  In consultation with the Senior Lawyer and Principal, develop a work plan to respond to the legal needs and BMCLC’s strategic areas of practice, and complete required tasks. Complete activities in the work plan to schedule and when required.
Community Legal Education and Law Reform
·  Engage in meaningful community development work including developing and delivering targeted community legal education.
·  Implement the strategic direction of BMCLC by delivering and reporting on legal projects in the Brimbank, Melton and Bacchus Marsh communities.
·  Identify and respond to systemic legal issues that impact clients in BMCLC’s catchment.
Stakeholder and Community Engagement
·  Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships and legal expertise through participating in delivery of innovative legal projects, community development activities and professional development.
Other duties
·  Participate in professional development as required.
·  Participate in and contribute to the broader activities of Comm Unity Plus..
·  Perform other duties as directed in keeping with the role.

Part C: Person Specification

Key Selection Criteria
·  Demonstrated experience in Family Law, family-violence related law and court advocacy.
·  A commitment to social justice and the ability to identify and respond to systemic and public interest issues that impact on disadvantaged communities.
·  Highly developed interpersonal skills, including experience working with culturally diverse communities and clients experiencing social disadvantage.
·  Ability to work under pressure as part of a busy team and manage a large and diverse caseload with competing deadlines.
·  Develop and manage projects, liaise with team members and negotiate with stakeholders to achieve project objectives.
·  Ability to adapt to changes in work environment and effectively meet new challenges.
Qualifications
Essential: / Bachelor of Laws, 2+ years PAE
Desirable: / N/A
Other Information
Essential / ·  Admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria.
·  A driver’s license and the ability to travel to different locations around Melbourne.
Desirable / ·  Experience in the law of infringements, criminal law and civil law.
·  Experience in supervision of volunteers.
Declaration
My position description has been explained in detail and I understand and accept the accountabilities and authority as outlined.
Employee / Name …………………….. Signature ………………………../ /
Manager /
Name …………………….. Signature ………………………./ /

Title: Community Lawyer – FL/FV Approved by: CEO Version 1.0

Reviewed on: April 2016 Approval date: April 2016 Next review: April 2017

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