Job Description
Senior Paralegal / Legal Practice Coordinator
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Senior Paralegal / Legal Practice Coordinator – Criminal Law
n Full-Time | Bundall, Gold Coast
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Smith Cambridge Lawyers is a boutique criminal law firm based in Bundall on the Gold Coast.
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We are looking for a highly capable Senior Paralegal / Legal Practice Coordinator to work directly with the Principal in a full-time position.
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This is a key role within the firm.
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We are looking for someone who understands criminal law, understands clients and understands how a legal practice needs to operate.
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If you have worked in criminal law and have developed strong practice-management, file-management or senior legal support experience, this is an opportunity to take on a genuinely key role within a growing legal practice.
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This isn't just another legal secretary position.
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You will work directly with the Principal and become a trusted part of the day-to-day operation of the practice.
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You will have significant involvement in:
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Criminal law matters from intake through to finalisation
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Client communication and client management
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Court and matter preparation
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File management and workflow
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Legal administration and practice systems
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Diary and deadline management
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Brief and evidence preparation
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Correspondence and document preparation
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Billing and accounts processes
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Liaising with courts, counsel, prosecutors and other stakeholders
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Improving systems and processes within the practice
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The successful candidate will be someone who can see what needs to be done and make it happen.
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Your responsibilities
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Working closely with the Principal, you will be responsible for a broad range of legal and practice-management functions, including:
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Criminal law
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Managing and assisting with criminal law files
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Reviewing briefs of evidence and organising case materials
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Preparing court documentation and matter materials
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Preparing chronologies, instructions and correspondence
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Assisting with court preparation
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Monitoring court dates, filing deadlines and critical dates
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Liaising with clients regarding their matters
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Liaising with courts, counsel, police and other legal professionals
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Assisting the Principal with preparation for mentions, pleas, bail applications, hearings and trials
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Maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic files
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Practice management
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Assisting the Principal with the efficient running of the practice
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Managing workflows and ensuring important tasks are followed through
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Improving and maintaining office systems and procedures
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Monitoring outstanding tasks and deadlines
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Assisting with billing, invoicing,



trust/accounting processes and debtor follow-up
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Coordinating appointments, conferences and court commitments
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Assisting with client intake and onboarding
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Maintaining high standards of file compliance and organisation
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Supporting the implementation of technology and practice-management systems
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Identifying inefficiencies and taking the initiative to improve them
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Helping ensure the practice operates professionally and efficiently every day
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Working with the Principal
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This is one of the major advantages of the position.
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You will work directly alongside the Principal, rather than being several levels removed from decision-making.
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You will gain an understanding of:
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How criminal matters are assessed and strategically managed
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How clients are managed in difficult and high‐pressure circumstances
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How cases are prepared for court
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How a specialist criminal practice operates
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How a legal practice can be made more efficient and profitable
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How systems, workflow and client service can be improved
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What we're looking for
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We are specifically seeking someone with previous experience in criminal law and legal practice.
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Ideally, you will have:
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Several years' experience working in a legal practice
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Demonstrated experience in criminal law
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Strong legal secretarial or paralegal skills
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Experience managing criminal-law files
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Experience dealing directly with clients
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Excellent knowledge of court processes and legal documentation
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Strong organisational and time‐management skills
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Experience with practice‐management systems
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Experience with billing, trust accounting or general legal accounts processes
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An understanding of file compliance and legal practice procedures
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Exceptional attention to detail
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The ability to work calmly under pressure
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Strong computer and technology skills
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A proactive and solutions‐focused approach
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Practice‐management experience will be highly regarded.
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If you have previously worked as a senior legal secretary, paralegal, legal practice manager, practice administrator, legal executive or similar, we would particularly like to hear from you.
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The person we're looking for
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We're not looking for someone who needs to be told what to do every five minutes.
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We're looking for someone who is one step ahead.
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Someone who notices that a court date is approaching.
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Someone who sees that a client needs to be contacted.
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Someone who knows a file isn't ready and fixes it.
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Someone who can identify a problem in the practice and suggest a better way of doing things.
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Someone who takes ownership.
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In short, we're looking for someone who can become the Principal's trusted second‐in‐command for the day‐to‐day operation of the practice.
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Why Smith Cambridge Lawyers?
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Work closely with the Principal.
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You will have direct access to the person making the decisions.
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Work in a boutique criminal practice.
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You will develop genuine expertise rather than being spread across unrelated areas of law.
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Have meaningful responsibility.
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Your work will directly affect the way the practice operates and the service our clients receive.
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Have variety.
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No two days are likely to be the same. You will be involved in clients, files, courts, administration, systems and practice management.
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Be valued for your experience.
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We are looking for someone who can bring experience and initiative to the role — not simply someone who can follow instructions.
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Build something.
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Smith Cambridge is a growing criminal law practice. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help improve systems, processes and the way the practice operates.
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What we offer
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Full-time position in Bundall
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Direct access to and mentoring from the Principal
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Genuine responsibility and autonomy
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Varied and interesting work
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Opportunity to develop your legal and practice‐management skills
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Opportunity to have a meaningful influence on the firm's operations
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Professional and supportive working environment
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Competitive remuneration based on experience
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Long‐term career opportunity for the right person
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Remuneration
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$75,000–$90,000 + superannuation, depending on experience
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Exceptional candidates with substantial criminal‐law and practice‐management experience may be considered at a higher level.
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The ideal candidate
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You may currently be working as a:
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Senior Legal Secretary
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Senior Paralegal
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Legal Practice Manager
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Practice Administrator
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Legal Executive
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Criminal Law Paralegal
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Senior Legal Assistant
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If you have criminal‐law experience + strong organisational ability + practice‐management experience, we want to hear from you.
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Smith Cambridge Lawyers
n Bundall | Gold Coast
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📌 Senior Paralegal / Legal Practice Coordinator (Gold Coast)
🏢 Smith Cambridge Lawyers
📍 Gold Coast