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 (City of Gold Coast)
🏢 Smith Cambridge Lawyers
📍 City of Gold Coast