Legal Practitioner

• Purpose-driven legal work
• Make a meaningful difference through law, education, and community impact.
• Based in Newcastle with outreach to Gosford as required

The University of Newcastle’s School of Law and Justice is seeking an experienced and motivated Legal Practitioner to join its highly regarded Older Persons Legal Clinic (OPLC). This role offers a rare opportunity to combine legal practice, community service, and legal education in a supportive academic environment.

Funded through the NSW Government Community Legal Centres and Critical Services Gaps program, this position plays a vital role in delivering accessible elder law services while supporting the development of the next generation of legal professionals.

The role

As the Legal Practitioner, you will conduct the Older Persons Legal Clinic in Newcastle and, as required, an outreach clinic in Gosford. The clinic is a core component of the School’s Practice Program, a client-based practical legal training program embedded within the University of Newcastle Legal Centre (UNLC).

You will provide high-quality legal advice, assistance, and representation to older clients and their carers, while also supervising law students on clinical placement. A key feature of the role is delivering community legal education seminars to older persons, carers, and community groups.

What you’ll do:

• Deliver elder law clinics providing advice, assistance, and legal representation to clients and carers
• Manage a client caseload, including representation in mediations, courts, and tribunals
• Supervise and mentor law students undertaking clinical placements at the UNLC
• Deliver community legal education seminars to community groups and professional forums
• Contribute to law reform activities and engage with relevant stakeholders
• Support outreach services, including clinics in Gosford and remote service delivery
• Maintain high professional and ethical standards, including file management, compliance, and risk management
• Undertake associated administrative and reporting activities in line with funding and University requirements
• Build and strengthen relationships with alumni, the legal profession, courts, and community organisations

This fixed term contract will be part-time (4 days per week) until June 2030 (4.5 years) at a HEW 8 (Higher Education Worker Level). The role requires in person attendance on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9am-5pm, but outside of those times work arrangements may be more flexible.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2020-2025 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities. 

For more information click here – Our Uni. 

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• Attractive remuneration package and excellent employment conditions in line with University of Newcastle professional staff conditions.
• Flexible working arrangements (in line with the University’s Flexible Work Policy)
• 17% super and salary packaging
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme
• Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more
• Wellbeing programs

Your next steps 

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role. 

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy before commencing your application. 

Your application must include: 

• Your resume
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity
•  A statement addressing following points demonstrating your qualifications and experience with examples.

1. You are an experienced legal practitioner with a strong commitment to social justice, clinical legal education, and community engagement.
2. Admission as a legal practitioner in NSW (or eligibility for admission)
3. Demonstrated experience in elder law, community law, or a related practice area
4. Experience appearing in courts, tribunals, and dispute resolution forums
5. Strong client management and casework skills
6. The ability to supervise, mentor, and support law students in a clinical setting
7. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
8. A collaborative, ethical, and empathetic approach to legal practice

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, it's important to structure and address the selection criteria outlined in the application process. This helps us better understand your experience and suitability for the role. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your application.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 4 pages (approximately 2,000 words).

Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. 

For specific position enquiries, please contact Sarah Breusch, Director, via email Sarah.Breusch@newcastle.edu.au

 Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au

Closing date: Thursday 22nd January 2026 @ 11:59pm AEST

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

#LI-KG1