Solicitor - Tasmanian Sexual Violence Legal Service (2 year Fixed Term)
Women's Legal Service Tasmania – Burnie TAS
Women's Legal Service Tasmania (WLST) provides a statewide community legal service for women in Tasmania, providing legal advice and information about legal and non-legal options through a dedicated telephone advice line, as well as face-to-face appointments, community legal education, outreach, drafting of law reform submissions and referrals to appropriate support services. Our clients are also supported by in-house financial counselling and social work services. WLST operates from three offices in Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie.
WLST is a community legal service funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department in recognition that in addition to the general legal problems that can affect everyone, there are some areas of law in which a woman's experience is different – as a victim of a crime, as a primary carer of children, or through discrimination or lack of equal opportunity in employment or business.
Some women also face additional barriers in accessing justice due to factors such as cost, childcare responsibilities, and feelings of intimidation in going to Court or dealing with a male-dominated legal profession and judiciary. Our work focuses on the needs of vulnerable women who often have experienced family violence, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse and or other forms of discrimination or abuse. We understand this is challenging work, and we offer staff a supportive environment that helps maintain their resilience. Other issues, such as language barriers, cultural backgrounds, disability, sexuality, or geographical isolation, can compound to make access to a legal service intimidating and difficult. Workers at WLST are sensitive to the diverse needs of women, both as individuals and as part of the community.
WLST's mission is to promote justice, equality, and safety for women, particularly those who are disadvantaged or facing discrimination. WLST also operates a Working Women's Centre.
About the role
We currently have two fixed - term Solicitor roles available within The Tasmanian Sexual Violence Legal Service (TSVLS) which is a Commonwealth-funded pilot program delivering three integrated elements:
1.
Statewide Independent Legal Services:
Free, trauma-informed legal advice and limited representation for victim-survivors of sexual violence across Tasmania, delivered through a hub in Burnie with offices in Launceston and Hobart, plus outreach to regional and remote areas.
2.
Safe, Informed, Supported (SIS) Service - North-West Tasmania:
A place-based pilot implementing ALRC recommendations, including co-located Justice System Navigators (Laurel House),



Safe Places to Disclose, and independent legal services based at the Burnie Health Hub.
3.
Restorative Justice Pilot:
Supporting victim-survivors through restorative justice processes for young people ****** years) and young adults with cognitive disabilities (up to 25 years) who have used harmful sexual behaviours. (Note this part of the pilot will be delivered by Laurel House but WLST may support victim survivors who are participating in it)
The TSVLS is delivered in formal partnership with Laurel House (North and North-West Tasmanian Sexual Assault Support Service), integrating legal and therapeutic support to improve justice outcomes and recovery for victim-survivors.
This role involves a broad range of practice, including criminal law (sexual assault prosecutions, evidence law, victim participation), family law (particularly child safety matters arising from sexual abuse disclosures), and civil law (victims of crime compensation, Government complaints).
Knowledge of the intersection of legal and therapeutic responses to sexual violence is highly valued.
The provision of community legal education (CLE) workshops, contributing to law reform and lobbying submissions, along with organisational and administrative responsibilities are also a component of this position.
What You'll Be Doing
Provide specialist legal advice and representation in sexual violence matters across criminal, civil, and family lawjurisdictions
Actively coordinatewith key partners, particularly Laurel House, to ensure integrated service delivery
Contribute to the evaluation of the pilot program and evidence-based practice development
Participate in staff professional development and wellbeing, given the challenging nature of sexual violence work
What We're Looking For
Knowledge of laws relevant to women, including but not limited to family law, family violence and child safety matters, and the ability to advocate, negotiate and liaise effectively on a client's behalf in a non-judgmental manner, assessing their safety, identifying risks and developing effective strategies which address their needs in a trauma informed way.
Knowledge of criminal law, criminal justice systems, evidence law and other areas of law of relevance to victim survivors of sexual violence (eg; defamation) is highly desirable.




Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse groups, including victim-survivors, and working collaboratively within a team environment, supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive workplace culture, with an ability to monitor and evaluate team performance, providing constructive feedback and ensuring accountability for the quality and timeliness of legal work.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment, including experience partnering with therapeutic services, counsellors and support workers; understanding of the intersection of legal and non-legal needs of victim-survivors and the ability to build and maintain effective partnerships across the family and sexual violence sector.
High-level written communication skills, including the ability to maintain accurate and complete client files in accordance with Women's Legal Service Tasmania procedures, and the ability to draft complex reports, collating statistics to demonstrate program effectiveness and case studies highlighting client outcomes.
Ability to work within and positively advance the mission and values of Women's Legal Service Tasmania, including a commitment to the social justice, equity, and empowerment of women, with an ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.
What We Offer
Extra Leave:
Enjoy an additional week of annual leave (pro rata) to support your wellbeing, with 17.5% leave loading.
Parental Leave:
12 weeks of paid parental leave (pro rata) for employees with a minimum of 12 months' service.
Salary Packaging:
Generous not-for-profit salary packaging and a Meal & Entertainment Card of up to $18,530 annually through Eziway, increasing your disposable income.
Wellbeing Support:
Employee health and wellbeing support, flexible working practices, and bi-monthly qualified supervision/counselling sessions through Relationships Australia.
Professional Development:
Opportunities for conferences, events, and a dedicated training budget for your professional growth.
Please note that applicants must address the selection criteria to be considered for the position.
Applications close COB 21 August ****.
This position is advertised relying on a special measure exception permitted by the Anti-Discrimination Act. This special measure supports the delivery of services to women, and accordingly, this position is open to women applicants only.
Women's Legal Service Tasmania is committed to protecting children/young and vulnerable people from harm and requires completion of screening checks prior to finalising employment.
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📌 Solicitor - Tasmanian Sexual Violence Legal Service (2 Year Fixed Term) (Burnie)
🏢 Women's Legal Service Tasmania
📍 Burnie