Civil Lawyer
Are you committed to increasing access to justice for particularly vulnerable, often marginalised people, by bringing integrated legal help to them, wherever they present for support? Do you want to deliver legal, therapeutic, and practical help as part of an interdisciplinary team? We have a compelling opportunity for you to make a difference from within an agile and creative team.
About First Step Legal
First Step Legal (FSL) was established in 2008 as a health justice partnership (HJP) within First Step, a not-for-profit mental health and addiction clinic in St Kilda. It is NAS-accredited and a member of the Federation of Community Legal Centres (FCLC). In recent years, FSL has emerged as sector specialists in closely integrated legal practice, having expanded significantly to also embed lawyers within four external organisations: Windana Therapeutic Community, Alfred Health (St Kilda Road Outpatient Clinic), Better Health Network, and Launch Housing.
FSL provides pro-bono legal advice, casework and representation to people referred by its parter organisations. It prioritises its casework to focus on clients who are genuinely engaged or wanting to be engaged in treatment, recovery and therapeutic interventions that will support their ongoing wellbeing.
About the Role The incumbent will be leading our housing partnership across two sites in East St Kilda and South Melbourne, serving people in crisis accommodation with co-occurring needs including drug and/or alcohol abuse, family violence, mental ill-health, and financial disadvantage. The incumbent will be able assist clients with their family violence, tenancy, social security, debt and fines issues, inclusive of appearing at VCAT and Magistrates Courts as required.
Salary and Conditions
This is a full-time position, but we are open to applicants who wish to work part-time. To support employee wellbeing, we allocate an additional twelve days of leave per year for full time employees, and support working flexibly as part of a fixed-hybrid working model. Conditions are set out under the SCHADS Award. Salary is negotiable, subject to skills and experience. A 6-month probationary period applies.
Applications
Applications can be made by apply by forwarding a cover letter, CV and responses to the key selection criteria contained in the position description to our Principal Lawyer, Angus Woodward by email:
[email protected]
Applications close at midnight on Friday 4 December.
📌 Civil Lawyer (St Kilda)
🏢 First Step Legal
📍 St Kilda