Mid North Coast Legal Centre

SCHADS Level 4.1–6.1 | Permanent positions | Full-time

One team, several opportunities. Join our Disability Law program as a solicitor in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.

Looking for meaningful legal work where you can make a difference?

Mid North Coast Legal Centre (MNCLC) is recruiting for two solicitor opportunities with our Disability Law program. Whether you are developing your legal career or are an experienced solicitor looking for greater responsibility, we may have a role that suits you.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Disability Law Solicitor – SCHADS 4.1–5.1

Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour

Join our Disability Law practice providing legal assistance to people with disability.

This is an opportunity to develop your legal skills within a supportive team while undertaking meaningful legal work for clients who may experience significant barriers to accessing justice.

2. Senior Disability Law Solicitor – SCHADS 6.1

Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour An opportunity for an experienced solicitor to undertake more complex legal work while contributing to the strength and development of our legal practice.

In addition to providing legal services, the Senior Solicitor will contribute to mentoring and supporting other solicitors, practice development and continuity of service delivery.

ABOUT MNCLC Mid North Coast Legal Centre (MNCLC), www.mnclegal.org.au, is part of Advocacy Law Alliance Ltd, www.advocacylaw.org.au.

MNCLC is a not-for-profit community legal centre providing civil law services across the local government areas of MidCoast, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey Shire, Nambucca Shire, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour.

We have offices in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour and provide services across our geographic catchment, as well as a disability law program that works with our sister service Disability Advocacy NSW across a broader NSW catchment.

MNCLC seeks to improve access to justice through legal information, legal advice, advocacy and representation, community legal education and outreach, and policy and law reform.

Our solicitors work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide accessible, client-centred services, particularly for people experiencing disadvantage and barriers to accessing justice.

WHAT WE OFFER

- 38-hour working week, Monday to Friday

- Permanent positions

- Opportunities in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, depending on the role

- Competitive salary under the SCHADS Award from Level 4.1 to Level 6.1, depending on the role and experience

- Up to 6 weeks' annual leave, plus 5 paid wellbeing days

- Salary packaging options to increase your take-home pay

- Access to a company vehicle for work-related travel

- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

- Support and supervision to continue developing your legal practice

- Opportunities for experienced solicitors to mentor others and contribute to practice development

- Supportive and rewarding team culture
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in regional communities

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY





The precise responsibilities will vary depending on the position and level of appointment.

Legal Practice

Across our solicitor roles, responsibilities may include:
- Deliver high-quality legal advice and casework in line with the Centre's Legal Practice Manual and strategic priorities.

- Provide ethical, trauma-informed and client-centred legal services while maintaining professional and regulatory standards.

- Undertake advocacy, negotiation, dispute resolution and representation as appropriate to the role and level of experience.

- Provide outreach legal services as required.

- Work collaboratively with other solicitors and members of the broader MNCLC team.

- Contribute to the development of legal knowledge and good practice across the team.

- Support effective and accessible service delivery for clients experiencing disadvantage.

For more experienced and senior solicitors, responsibilities may also include:

- Undertaking more complex legal matters.

- Mentoring and supervising junior solicitors, volunteers and students.

- Providing practice guidance and contributing to knowledge-sharing across the team.

- Supporting the Assistant Principal Solicitor and Principal Solicitor in maintaining high standards of legal practice and service delivery.

- Supporting continuity and coverage of legal services during staff absences.

Planning, Practice and Compliance

- Actively participate in planning, staff meetings and organisational development activities.

- Be available to provide urgent phone advice for priority clients and support other duty-rostered solicitors as required.

- Contribute to initiatives that strengthen legal practice and service delivery.

- Ensure accurate recording of advice, casework and service activities in AIIM.

- Comply with organisational policies, ethical and professional standards, and accreditation requirements.

- Contribute to a safe, inclusive and supportive working environment.

Personal Responsibilities

- Uphold organisational values and maintain a people-first approach with clients, staff and volunteers.

- Contribute to team cohesion and a positive work environment.

- Develop and maintain strong relationships with partner organisations and the wider community.

- Deliver assigned tasks and objectives to a high standard and within agreed timeframes.

- Collect and report data to evaluate work outcomes.

- Protect and enhance the organisation's reputation.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants should address the following criteria, having regard to their level of experience and the role they are applying for:
1. Current NSW practising certificate, or eligibility to obtain one.

2. Legal practice experience appropriate to the level sought, with experience or demonstrated interest relevant to the role.

3. Demonstrated commitment to social justice,



including an understanding of issues affecting people experiencing disadvantage and barriers to accessing justice.

4. Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and culturally safe practice, with the ability to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other services supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

5. Advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution skills appropriate to your level of experience.

6. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate legal information in plain English with diverse communities, including First Nations people and people with disability.

7. Well-developed interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships, work effectively in a team and contribute to knowledge-sharing.

8. Solid organisational, time-management and file-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Additional criteria – Senior Disability Law Solicitor

For the SCHADS 6.1 Senior Disability Law Solicitor role in Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour, we will also be looking for demonstrated experience and capability appropriate to a senior appointment, including the capacity to:

- Undertake complex legal advice and casework.

- Demonstrate strong advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution skills.

- Mentor and supervise less experienced practitioners.

- Provide practice guidance and contribute to knowledge-sharing.

- Support consistent, high-quality legal service delivery.

HOW TO APPLY

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we will commence interviews while the advertisement remains open.

We want to hear about you, why this work interests you and what you would bring to the role. We value authentic responses that reflect your own experience and motivation.

Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.

In your application, please tell us:

- which role you are interested in;

- your preferred location; and
- the experience and interests you would bring to the position.

As part of our government funding requirements, all staff are required to have a police criminal record check and clear Working with Children Check prior to commencement.

CALD people, First Nations people and people with disability are encouraged to apply. All applications will be assessed on merit against the relevant selection criteria and in accordance with equal employment opportunity principles.

For more information about MNCLC, visit www.mnclegal.org.au For more information about these opportunities, contact Sarah Dahlenburg on 02 6580 2111 or via email at [email protected].

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Please include:

1. A cover letter including your contact details and identifying which position you are interested in and your preferred location.

2. A document addressing each of the selection criteria above. Please include this with your cover letter or resume document.

3. A current resume including two current professional referees.

📌 Solicitor (Port Macquarie)
🏢 Advocacy Law Alliance
📍 Port Macquarie