Job Description

Summary

NAAJA is seeking a Managing Solicitor, Youth to join our Darwin Criminal Law team. The youth practice aims to provide holistic services to young people by addressing both their legal issues and the broader social setting which has led to their involvement in the criminal justice system. It draws upon this experience to advocate for systemic change in youth justice issues.

About the role

NAAJA’s legal practice is the largest in the Northern Territory, providing high quality, culturally proficient and accessible advice, casework and court advocacy in both criminal and civil law. NAAJA particularly seeks to achieve social justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through strategic litigation, law reform and education. The criminal law practice consists of criminal solicitors working in the areas of youth summary, indictable and appellate crime, supported by administrative and client service staff who play a vital role in ensuring the provision of effective legal services to our clients. The Youth team is a professional and dynamic team that requires staff members to demonstrate high levels of motivation, energy and a commitment to excellence.

About you

NAAJA seeks an appropriately qualified legal practitioner with a minimum of 5 years post admission experience who has the personal and professional attributes to be a successful member of its Criminal Law Team. The work requires high levels of motivation, energy and a commitment to professional excellence. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. SELECTION CRITERIA ESSENTIAL: 1. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in criminal law with proven ability as a court advocate. 2. A demonstrated ability to provide high quality oral and written advice on a range of legal issues. 3. Demonstrated ability to undertake work in the Youth Justice Court and Supreme Court in youth criminal matters, including trial and appellate work. 4. Experience in management and mentoring of staff. 5. Capable of identifying issues that cause disadvantage to Aboriginal youth in the criminal justice system and to respond to and refer those issues through test cases, legal education, law reform and/or community development strategies. 6. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people living in the Top End. 7. Ability to work constructively with a diverse team of legal and non-legal staff to achieve the goals of the position, specifically in the provision of mentorship to junior solicitors and a demonstrated willingness to seek advice from client service officers on cultural issues. 8. Good time management and organisational skills including demonstrated capacity to perform under pressure and ability to effectively handle high volume workloads within tight deadlines. 9. Ability and willingness to undertake work at circuit courts (including travel and overnight stays in remote communities). 10. Working with Children clearance and current Driver’s Licence. 11. Satisfactory criminal history check and no history of disqualification from employment by a legal practice.

What's on offer?

* Salary of $94,084 – $107,961 per annum (dependent on experience) plus superannuation * Salary packaging options * 6 weeks annual leave per year with leave loading * Annual airfare

Where will you be working?

The position will be based in NAAJA's Darwin office with travel to remote communities for circuit courts.