Principal Lawyer

Our team

Justice Connect believes in a world in which legal support is within everyone’s reach. In the face of rising levels of unmet legal need, our 2028 strategy sees us put people first, innovating to build our communities' skills, knowledge, and confidence, and grow access to legal support. 

Our Self-Representation Law program supports people who are navigating our complex legal system without a lawyer. Through specialist court-based services, we help people understand legal processes, prepare their arguments and legal documents, and present their case as effectively as possible. By building practical skills and knowledge, we empower our community to engage with the justice system with greater confidence and clarity. 

Our ideal candidate

You'll bring to the team experience in the following areas:

• Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas of law: Civil Law (including credit and debt), Employment law, Administrative law, Building and Construction law and/or Residential Tenancy matters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a legal practice, including a strong understanding of professional and ethical obligations and risk management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of digital integrated service delivery.
• Demonstrated experience engaging and building strong stakeholder relationships to build and maintain organisational capacity.

Expertise that you may have that would support our team:

• Principal of a law Practice Practicing Certificate (PC), or sufficient experience and/or qualification to be eligible to apply for a Principal PC. The candidate will need to complete a Practice Management Course if they have not done so already.

Candidates will need to demonstrate commitment to Justice Connect's vision, strategy and values.

What you will achieve in the role

In this role, you’ll work to

• Lead and manage Self-Representation Law's legal practice as a Responsible Person under the Risk Management Guide, in close collaboration with other team leaders. The team's legal practice includes delivering discrete legal advice and assistance, supervising secondee advice in clinic appointments, supervising self-representation clinic practices and making pro bono referrals.
• Identify and manage risks and issues impacting legal practice, service delivery, stakeholder relationships and projects, in close collaboration with other team leaders.
• Supervise lawyers and paralegals as a line manager.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships to maintain effective referral pathways, maintain confidence in our legal services, and to support existing and new collaborations with sector partners.
• Embed Justice Connect's values in the work of the team, share knowledge and provide leadership to build and support a team culture focused on delivering Justice Connect's strategy and promoting staff wellbeing.

A week in this role

If you were here last week, you would have:

• Met with the legal team to discuss emerging issues in the legal practice, discuss more complex legal issues arising from help seeker enquiries, address any workflow issues and prioritise work for the fortnight.
• Reviewed and approved advice plans regarding issues such as an appeal from VCAT to the Supreme Court regarding the making of a tenancy possession order, advice about Bankruptcy processes, advice about an unpaid wages claim, and a breach of contract matter arising from a fraudulent investment.
• Attended a meeting with the Federal Court of Australia regarding service provision and referral processes between the Court and Justice Connect.
• Reviewed team legal files to ensure they complied with the Risk Management Guide.
• Consulted with staff regarding eligibility of help seekers with domestic building disputes.
• Had weekly catch ups with staff reporting to the role.
• Reviewed secondee lawyer file notes from clinic appointments

What we offer

If you want your next role to have purpose, support your growth, and help you build meaningful connections, Justice Connect is the place to work.

We’re committed to creating an environment where people thrive. Our benefits include:

• A flexible hybrid working model (minimum 40% in-office across the month).
• Annual leave loading and additional paid leave over the end-of-year closure period.
• Salary packaging to make part of your income tax-free.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities: face-to-face, online, and on demand.
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support for you and your immediate family.
• Free flu vaccinations.
• An inclusive and diverse culture that values continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability.

How to Apply

Please upload your resume and a cover letter which outlines your skills and experience that will help you achieve success in this role.  

For further information contact Tim Meehan on 03 8636 4487

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Important role information

The position reports to the Manager and Principal Lawyer of the Self-representation Law.

Employment is full time permanent.  

The salary for this role is $123,564.52 per annum (plus 12% superannuation) with annual leave loading and generous salary packaging options.  

This role can be based at our Melbourne or Sydney CBD offices with 40% of the month in the workplace with hybrid working arrangements.

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