Senior Solicitor – Counselling Notes Protect

Women’s Legal Service Queensland is calling for applicants for a 12 month contract role within our Counselling Notes Protect (CNP) Team.

WLSQ provides assistance to women across Queensland and we have various office locations in South East Queensland including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Caboolture and Ipswich.

The WLSQ CNP team represent and work on behalf of victims of sexual assault in relation to applications where parties are seeking access and use of their counselling records in legal proceedings.

WLSQ is looking for an experienced senior solicitor with a background in criminal and family law matters. We are interested in hearing from solicitors with demonstrated experience advocating in criminal law matters, and who value inclusion and innovation to advocate for women.

WLSQ is a nationally recognised, leading and innovative not for profit organisation in Australia. WLSQ provides high quality legal and social support services to women, specialising in the areas of family law, domestic violence, child protection, financial abuse legal protection and sexual assault through our counselling notes protect program.

The service is committed to the creation of a society in which woman are safe from violence, are heard and respected, and receive a fair and just legal outcome.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Key Responsibilities:

1. Undertaking the delivery of WLSQ direct client legal services within the CNP team including:
   • Represent victims of sexual assault, including providing advice, file management and advocacy in criminal law matters in the Magistrates, District and Supreme court in response to applications to subpoena and other wise use records which are or could be ‘protected counselling communications’.
   • Provide legal information and advice about the application and procedure of the sexual assault counselling privilege, to clients, sexual violence prevention services and other relevant services and agencies.
   • Provide legal information and advice about broader sexual violence legal issues for clients such as sexual violence criminal proceedings in general and engaged in law reform as informed by the lived experience and feedback of the services and clients who use the CNP service.
   • Provide services to women in a trauma informed practice framework.
   • Provide legal services in accordance with WLSQ policy and practice according to the Risk Management Guide. 
   • Be eligible to act as a Nominated Person according to the Risk Management Guide.
   • Other duties from time to time as required:
     • Duty Lawyer (DV)
     • Family Law/DV advices
   • Work collaboratively with WLSQ social workers and other staff to provide legal information and guidance and to consult with other staff to provide appropriate non-legal referrals as required.
   • Ensure risk assessment and safety considerations are routinely and comprehensively addressed in legal work undertaken providing support, information and advice to clients experiencing domestic violence.
   • Liaise with external agencies and make client referrals where services are more appropriately provided or should be supplemented through accessing another service.
2. Supervising the CNP team of employed solicitors and legal support staff.
3. Contribute to the development and delivery of community legal education and law reform activities of WLSQ as required.
4. Foster a collaborative team culture for staff and volunteers which is professional, productive and supportive and consistent with the WLSQ Values and feminist principles.
5. Any other tasks as requested by the Practice Director.

Skills and Capabilities:

1. Eligibility to hold an Unrestricted Solicitor’s Practising Certificate and a minimum of 5 year’s post admission experience in criminal and/or family law and domestic violence, is a requirement.
2. Demonstrated advocacy experience and detailed knowledge f the practice and procedure of the law as it relates to victims of crime, particularly in relation to issues of sexual violence and criminal law is desirable.
3. High level of computer literacy including Microsoft Office.
4. High level of knowledge of referrals both legal and non-legal that are appropriate for women who experienced sexual violence.

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

   • Who may have experienced domestic violence and/or trauma;
   • With a disability;
   • From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and/or
   • From Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
6. 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.
7. Sound knowledge and understanding of legal and social issues affecting women, particularly the gendered nature of domestic violence.
8. Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of the WLSQ and an ability to work within a feminist framework.
9. It is a genuine occupational requirement for this position that the incumbent be a woman (section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld)

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

In addition to having a meaningful and rewarding career, you will receive:

• An attractive remuneration package.
• Generous leave entitlements with additional paid leave over Christmas and New Year.
• Attractive salary sacrifice options.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

Successful applicants will be required to complete a National Police Check.

APPLY NOW!

To apply for this position, click on ‘apply now’ 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.