Ruah aims to promote measures to achieve equality. Section 51 of the Equal opportunity Act applies to this role.
Lawyer
Our mission is open hearts and bold strides.
Ruah Legal Services is seeking to fill a number of legal roles within our service. The available roles are full-time fixed-term for a period of 12 months with the possibility of extension. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable clients, particularly inCriminal Law and Mental Health Tribunalmatters.
About Ruah
Ruah Legal Services (RLS) specialises in the provision of end-to-end legal representation with integrated psycho-social support. RLS also trades as the Mental Health Law Centre (MHLC) for the provision of legal services to clients experiencing severe mental illness. Key practice areas include Criminal Law, Care and Protection, Restraining Orders, the Mental Health Act and Guardianship and Administration Act matters.
About the Role
As a lawyer at RLS, your primary focus is the provision of legal information, advice, and representation in relevant courts and tribunals. The role involves close collaboration with social workers, support workers and other services to provide holistic and wrap-round services for clients. In this role, you will be out and about often – not sitting in an office. You will be visiting various locations including hospitals, prisons, Ruah's women's refuges and other offices to provide timely, practical legal services.
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a passion for advocacy and social justice, this is the role for you. We are seeking lawyers who understand and are committed to principles of holistic, trauma-informed and culturally-safe legal practice. The role demands emotional resilience and excellent interpersonal skills, particularly when working with vulnerable clients facing complex challenges.
This is a 12 month fixed term opportunity with the possibility of extension.
In addition to your client and advocacy work, you will be responsible for:
Mentoring and training junior lawyers.
Supervising paralegals and volunteers.
Participating in community legal education services and policy work.
Building collaborative, constructive relationships with key sector peers, stakeholders, and service providers.
What we're looking for
It is expected that the successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the following:
Minimum of 3 years post admission experience in Criminal Law and/or Administrative Law (Mental Health Tribunal and Guardianship & Administration).
Demonstrated competence in advocacy before Tribunals and Courts.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with clients who are experiencing complex trauma and other circumstances of vulnerability, including mental illness.
Understanding of and commitment to providing trauma-informed and culturally-safe legal practice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Demonstrated capacity to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team and a willingness to contribute to the vision, mission, core values of the organization.
Exceptional time management skills, high level written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks and work flexibly and efficiently.
Experience working in a Community Legal Centre, as well as experience with integrated approaches to legal practice with non-legal support services, are desirable but not essential.
Required Qualifications:
Admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Western Australia
Hold a current practising certificate
Required Compliance Documents:
Current drivers' license
Working with Children Check
National Police Certificate
Current Practising Certificate
What do we offer?
Competitive annual salary with 5 weeks annual leave.
An opportunity to work with a passionate and highly skilled team, with valuable opportunities for career progression.
Flexible working hours and supportive team environment.
Opportunity to contribute to meaningful social justice work.
16 weeks paid parental leave, with flexibility to take at 32 weeks half-pay (uniquely, new staff can access 4 weeks paid parental leave after just 6 months' service).
Free, independent and confidential access for you and your family to our Employee Assistance Program.
Incredibly valuable Salary Packaging (to extend your take home pay) with:
up to $15,900 core packaging
an additional $2,650 in meal entertainment packaging
benefits for salary packaging travel, accommodation, parking fees, education expenses and more!
Opportunities to be active in the Ruah Community such as participating in a wide range of working groups, joining us at Pride events, being a part of a range of cultural events to promote and support reconciliation and much, much more!
How to apply
Please click apply, create your LiveHire profile, and submit your current CV along with a cover letter of no more than three pages, helping us understand your fit for this role.
Applications will be considered as they are received. If you feel this is the perfect role for you, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible as this role will be filled once a suitable applicant is identified.
Closing date for applications; Friday 29 November 2024
For more information about the position, please contact Rochelle Mitchell - Principal Lawyer at ******
We are building a workplace where difference is embraced and encouraged - and to do this, we?need people on our team who are representative of the clients we work with, who are passionate about change and courageous enough to stand up for what is right.Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs.
We are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All applicants will undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.