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Senior Solicitor - Criminal Law

Climate Defenders AustraliaSydney, New South Wales, Australia

15 hours ago

Job description

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The Senior Solicitor at Climate Defenders Australia (CDA) is a confident and calm criminal law practitioner. The Senior Solicitor feels confident on their feet in court and can comfortably conduct criminal matters in the Local and District Court and instruct counsel in superior courts. This role has a high degree of autonomy as the Senior Solicitor assists climate and environmental defenders across Australia with their criminal law needs. The work will vary greatly between giving quick oral advice to conducting appeals when there are manifestly excessive sentences delivered. The role requires travel.

CDA is a not-for-profit community legal service that specialises in defending climate and environmental defenders against criminal charges, across Australia which will commence legal practice from 1 July 2025. The legal service will also engage in strategic litigation in relevant jurisdictions to protect the participation of environmental and climate defenders through the abuse of legal processes, including responding to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP).

In addition to legal practice, CDA will also provide legal information, education and other related support to the community to advance and protect the natural environment. In this way also, CDA will also advocate for law reform in areas relevant to its legal practice, consistent with its charitable purpose.

CDA is a close knit team of 3 staff working from the Greenhouse Tech Hub in Sydney's CBD. This unique opportunity offers an opportunity for a Senior Solicitor to help a new community legal service that is embedded within the climate and environmental movements grow from its beginnings.

The positions is full time and offered on a one year contract with an expectation of conversion to permanency thereafter subject to performance and funding.

We're looking for an applicant who can :

Conduct criminal law matters in all jurisdictions around Australia.
Appear as an advocate in the Local and District Courts.
Instruct counsel to appear in the Supreme Court and appellate courts.
Exercise sound forensic judgment to give advice in a timely manner.
Contribute to strategic planning for CDA’s legal service provision.
Mentor junior solicitors.
Foster strong and collaborative engagement with members and stakeholders across the legal assistance sector.
Assist with CDA’s law reform advocacy.
Prepare and present legal education.
Collaborate to implement communications and media strategies.

Please submit a CV and cover letter to office@climatedefenders.org.au which addresses the selection criteria by 5 : 00pm on 3 July 2025.

Demonstrated commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, climate and social justice, demonstrated through lived experience and / or prior employment.

A law degree and admission to practice in an Australian jurisdiction.

At least four years post-qualification legal experience in criminal law including as an advocate in Local Court hearings and appeals to the District Court.

Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of public interest litigation, complex law reform and / or community campaigns.

The ability to mentor junior solicitors.

Strong oral and written communication and skills, including an ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds with confidence and respect.

Ability to work autonomously under pressure, manage time and prioritise effectively.

Experience working directly with communities and clients experiencing human rights violations.

Established relevant networks within the community legal sector; legal profession; activist community and / or climate and not-for-profit sector.

Experience working in defamation, police accountability, tort law, administrative law or human rights and anti-discrimination law.

Please contact Josh Pallas, Legal Director, via email on josh@climatedefenders.org.au if you have any questions about the role.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Legal

Industries

Legal Services

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Senior Solicitor • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia