Build your criminal law career in a role that offers real advocacy experience, meaningful work and room to grow.
Legal Aid Queensland is looking for a motivated Criminal Lawyer to join our Cairns office. This is a great prospect for a lawyer who wants to expand their experience, strengthen their advocacy skills and work on a broad range of interesting criminal law and quasi-criminal law matters.
In this role, you will prepare cases, appear in court, provide legal information and advice, and support clients through complex legal issues. You'll gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to a fairer and more accessible justice system for vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders.
Why join us?

This role offers the opportunity to:
build practical advocacy experience in criminal law
appear in the Magistrates and Children's Courts
work on a varied mix of criminal law and related matters
develop your case preparation, client management and legal advice skills
learn from experienced senior practitioners in a supportive team environment
contribute to policy, law reform and service delivery improvements.
What you'll be doing

In this role, you will:
represent clients in criminal law matters, including preparing matters and instructing counsel in all jurisdictions
personally appear for legally aided clients at bail applications, pleas, summary trials and committal hearings in the Magistrates and Children's Courts
provide duty lawyer services in the Magistrates and Children's Courts,



including for clients in custody
appear on higher court call-overs and mentions
provide legal information and advice to clients and members of the public
deliver outcomes through self-management, with supervision and guidance from senior legal practitioners as required
support Legal Aid Queensland's contributions to policy, procedure, law reform and legal service delivery initiatives
help initiate and maintain productive internal and external stakeholder relationships
contribute to team planning and suggest improvements to work practices.
What we're looking for

We're looking for a lawyer who is:
interested in building their experience in criminal law and advocacy
able to manage a varied workload and work effectively in a busy practice environment
a clear and confident communicator
committed to high-quality client service and access to justice
able to work effectively with clients who may have complex needs.
Why Legal Aid Queensland?
At Legal Aid Queensland, you'll do work that matters. You'll help people facing serious legal issues, gain valuable courtroom experience and be part of a team committed to improving outcomes for clients and communities across Queensland.
This is an excellent opportunity to grow your criminal law career in a role that offers challenge, purpose and professional development in a supportive regional office.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.

📌 Criminal Lawyer (Cairns)
🏢 Legal Aid Queensland
📍 Cairns