# Criminal Lawyer (Cairns)Legal Aid (Organisation site) Cairns## Job details| | || --
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- || Position status | Permanent || Position type | Flexible full-time || Occupational group | Justice & Legal || Classification | PO3 || Workplace Location | Cairns region || Job ad reference | QLD/ || Closing date | 22-Nov-2026 || Yearly salary | $
- $ || Fortnightly salary | $4128
- $4496 || Job duration | || Contact person | Hayley Fox || Contact details | Access the National Relay Service |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 opportunity 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 doingIn 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 forWe'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 prospect to grow your criminal law career in a role that offers challenge, purpose and professional development in a supportive regional office.## Further informationWe are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.## DocumentsBefore applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.
* PO3 Criminal Lawyer Cairns Position Description (PDF, 189KB) Role Description LAQ\_00349 Applicant information kit FA (PDF, 3.13MB) Application Kit