Senior Solicitor (Regional, Rural & Remote Team) – Women’s Legal Service Queensland

Job Description

WLSQ is expanding our reach into regional, rural and remote regions of Queensland in recognition of the unique vulnerabilities women in these communities experience, the scarcity of services and the distance women must travel to access legal and domestic and family violence services. The Senior Solicitor role is part of the multidisciplinary Regional, Rural and Remote (RRR) Team providing legal and social support services to women in identified target communities. The RRR Outreach Team is a pilot project and includes a senior solicitor, social worker, financial counsellor and community legal education officer who work collaboratively to provide integrated and holistic services that address a range of legal, financial, welfare and safety needs for women impacted by domestic and family violence in RRR areas. The RRR team will travel on a rotating basis to high-need RRR regions across Queensland to deliver legal and social support advice clinics. The RRR team will also deliver community legal education workshops for community service providers to increase their knowledge and understanding of domestic and family violence and the support available to women. The team will be responsible for providing face to face and telephone appointments in relation to legal and financial assistance, safety planning, practical welfare advice and case work management where appropriate. When the RRR team is not travelling, the Senior Solicitor will be part of the WLSQ legal advice teams and will provide legal advice to women in the areas of domestic and family violence, family law and child protection. About This Role Key Responsibilities: Undertaking the delivery of WLSQ legal services for women across Queensland and targeting RRR priority communities under the supervision of the Legal Practice Director including: Providing legal advice in the areas of family law, domestic violence and child safety matters to clients by phone and face to face at outreach clinics in RRR priority communities. Providing services to women through a trauma informed practice framework. Providing legal services in accordance with WLSQ policy and practice according to the National Association of Community Legal Centres Australia (CLCA) Risk Management Guide. Providing duty lawyer services for domestic violence matters in designated Magistrates Courts as required. To work collaboratively with RRR staff to provide support to vulnerable women experiencing domestic violence in RRR communities including: Providing holistic services to clients in the RRR priority areas taking into account the legal and social needs of the client including supporting clients to obtain safety from domestic violence. Developing and maintaining stakeholder engagement with key agencies who work with priority access groups and make referrals where services are more appropriately provided or should be supplemented through accessing another service. Working collaboratively with WLSQ social workers, financial counsellors and other non-legal staff. Ensuring risk assessment and safety considerations are routinely and comprehensively addressed in legal work undertaken providing support, information and advice to clients experiencing domestic violence. Travel to RRR outreach locations will be required at a minimum of one week every month to provide legal advice and assistance at outreach clinics; Travel between our offices at Annerley, Caboolture, Southport, Ipswich, Brisbane CBD may also be required. Work outside of office hours, including weekends may be required from time to time. Fostering a collaborative team culture for staff and volunteers which is professional, productive, supportive and consistent with the WLSQ values and feminist principles. Any other tasks as requested by the Practice Director. Development and delivery of community legal education to employees, volunteers and external stakeholders including in RRR priority communities: Be eligible to act as a Nominated Person according to the National Association of Community Legal Centres Australia (CLCA) Risk Management Guide. Contributing to law reform activities of WLSQ as required. Support the Practice Director to ensure the following day to day functions of the team and in accordance with WLSQ policy: Coordinating workflow and workloads to ensure the smooth running of the team, appropriate utilisation of people and monitoring performance against targets. Overseeing the provision of quality legal and non-legal work, including conducting file reviews and quality audits, facilitating case management meetings and investigating client complaints. Participating in the recruitment, selection, induction and training of solicitors and legal support staff in consultation with the Practice Director. #J-18808-Ljbffr