Credit, Debt and Generalist Solicitor

Position Description

Credit Debt and Generalist Solicitor

Sydney based

Permanent full time with part time considered

Supervision:AssistantPrincipal Solicitor

1. Redfern Legal Centre

Redfern Legal Centre is a non-profit community legal centre that promotes social justiceand creates legal advice legal services and education topeople experiencing disadvantage in New South drive innovation and changethrough policy and law reform workto addressinequalitiesin the legal system policies and social practices that cause disadvantage.

We provide effective and integratedfree legalservices that are client focussed collaborative non-discriminatory and responsive to changing community needsto our local community as well specialistlegal services focus on tenancy credit debt and consumer law financial abuse employment law international students First Nations justice police accountability and provide outreach services including through our health justice partnership.

2. Position Overview

The credit debt and generalist lawyer provides legal advice andassistanceto clients experiencingdisadvantagein Redfern Legal Centres local catchment rolecoversa dynamiccombination of creditdebtand consumer law and a diverse range of legal issuesthatpresentin our generalist practice.

Common issuesin the credit and debt practiceinclude debt matters bankruptcy credit cards and loans problems with electricity gas water and telecommunications bills difficulty paying fines faultygoodsor failure to provide services problems with insurance and superannuation and motor vehicle Generalist practice provides advice in a range of different civil areas of law with a focus on issues not covered by the specialist practice areas.

Common issuesin the generalist practiceinclude victims compensationdiscrimination AVOsguardianshipandtenancy.

Thecredit debt and generalistsolicitor provides advice directly andworks with pro bono firms and individual volunteer solicitors toresource capacity build and supervise them to provide advice.

The role involves a high degree of autonomy with opportunities to build strong relationships with local stakeholders and increase outreach opportunities to will have a diverse practice which includes opportunities to drivelaw reform and policy work to effect systemic change and community legal education to build capacity for marginalised people and communities.

3. Position Responsibilities

1. Conductadvice andcasework incredit debt consumerand generalistlawincluding drafting complaints to bodies such as the Australian Financial Complaints Authority correspondence including letters of demand applications for fines waivers and court documents including Statements of Claim and Defences as well as in generalist law where appropriate.
2. Coordinateand supervisevolunteer solicitors to provide credit debtconsumerand generalistadvice includingmanaging pro bono relationshipsinductiontrainingand support.
3. Conduct stakeholder engagement and outreach with local First Nations and other community organisations toidentifycredit debt and consumer issues affecting the local community encourage client referrals and work collaboratively to address issuesimpactinglocal communities.
4. Conduct community legal education and create factsheets for community workersclientsand other stakeholders.
5. Develop and drive policy and law reform on systemic issuesidentifiedfrom casework.

4. Knowledgeskillsand experience

Qualified to practice as a solicitor in NSW and holds or is eligible to hold a current practicing certificate and at least 2 years post-admission experience in credit debt and consumer law and general civil ability to take initiative accept responsibility and work with limited supervision providing advice andconductingcasework on a range of credit debt and consumer and general civil issues.

Demonstrated ability to work with people experiencing disadvantage particularly First Nations people as well as people from non-English speaking backgrounds and people with to theobjectivesof Community todevelop strongrelationships with stakeholdersconduct community legal education policy and law reformworkincludingidentifyingsystemic issues and drafting or contributing to policy and law reform submissions.

5. Conditions

Salary and benefits:$117002.84 $138863.90p.a. (pro rata for part time) depending on qualifications and experience.

Superannuation and annual leave loadingarepaid in addition tothisand salary packaging is available.

Redfern Legal Centreoffersa35-hourworking week time in lieu options and a paid end of year closure of two weeks (including public holidays) on top of four weeks annual prioritise staff wellbeing throughexternal debrief supervision a generous training and professional development budgetand flexible working conditions.

As a Public Benevolent Institution Redfern Legal Centreis able tooffer staff generous salary packaging options. The tax savings for a staff member choosing to take full advantage of the salary packagingoptionmean that their take home salary may be increased by up to $6000 per annum.

6. Applications

Applications close:Monday 10 August at 9 am

Redfern Legal Centre is a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations applicants people fromdiversecultural backgrounds and people with disability.

Your application should be no more than six pages long and should include a cover letter your resume and must include responses to the selection criteria included in the position description.

Inquiries should be directed toAlexis Goodstone on

Required Experience:

IC

Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1
Yearly Salary Salary: 117002 - 138863