Principal Solicitor

Full\-time (37.5 hours/week) or part\-time (4 days/week) considered

Talenting is partnering with SCALES Community Legal Centre, a not\-for\-profit incorporated association based in Rockingham delivering free legal services to communities across Kwinana and Rockingham, and partnering with Murdoch University to host the Student Law Clinic.

The opportunity

This is a senior leadership role responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of SCALES’ legal practice, including services delivered through the Family Violence Unit, and guiding strategic advocacy, law reform and policy initiatives.

Reporting to the Managing Director and Operations Manager, you will supervise lawyers, paralegals, and students/volunteers, and provide leadership across legal practice quality, compliance and professional risk, stakeholder engagement, and organisational culture.

What makes us different?

SCALES Community Legal Centre has been a trusted source of free legal help in the Rockingham and Kwinana region for more than 25 years. Born out of a partnership between community volunteers and the Murdoch University School of Law, SCALES combines community legal practice with clinical legal education to both serve clients and develop future legal professionals.

Our practice model is distinctive for three key reasons:

• Holistic, accessible legal services for people who otherwise wouldn’t get help.
  


• Strong community integration with clinical education and supervision.
  


• Commitment to inclusive, culturally respectful and trauma\-informed practice.
  

What you will be doing?

As Principal Solicitor, you will provide leadership, oversight and strategic direction of SCALES’ legal practice. You will set the tone for legal practice at SCALES, ensuring clients receive high\-quality, ethical and trauma\-informed legal support, while staff and students are well supported to do their best work.

You will:

• Lead and supervise the legal practice, including lawyers, paralegals, students and volunteers
  


• Provide strong practice leadership across family law, family violence and other relevant areas
  


• Ensure professional, regulatory and risk compliance, including supervision frameworks and file review
  


• Support safe, sustainable workloads and staff wellbeing
  


• Build relationships with sector partners, referral agencies and stakeholders
  


• Contribute to community legal education, advocacy and law reform initiatives
  


• Work closely with the Managing Director and Operations Manager to support organisational strategy and service delivery
  

Requirements

What we are looking for?

We’re keen to hear from experienced solicitors who care deeply about access to justice and enjoy working alongside others in a collaborative, supportive environment.

1. An unrestricted legal practising certificate in Western Australia
   


2. At least five years’ legal practice experience, including work in family law and family violence matters
   


3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to produce high quality written and verbal reports.
   


4. Highly developed organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands.
   


5. Highly developed knowledge and understanding of legal and related issues within the community and legal assistance service frameworks, relevant government policy and initiatives for communities experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage.
   


6. Demonstrated ability to lead and model supportive and constructive mentoring and supervision of lawyers and other staff, particularly in multidisciplinary approaches.
   


7. Ability to contribute constructively to a positive team and working environment.
   


8. Ability to hold challenging conversations in a professional and constructive manner.
   


9. Experience working within the community sector (desirable).
   

Benefits

Why work with us?

• Salary packaging up to $15,900, in addition to your salary.
  


• Ongoing support for professional development, including coverage of practising certificate costs.
  


• Flexibility in hours with part time considered for the right candidate.
  


• Access to an Employee Assistance Program to support your wellbeing.
  


• Opportunity to work closely with Murdoch University’s Student Law Clinic, contributing to education and mentoring of future lawyers.
  

How to apply?

Submitting your application is easy! All you need to do is submit the following documents as PDFs:

• a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) telling us why you would be a great fit for this role. Please specify your preference for full time or part time work (i.e. 0.8 FTE).
  


• a resume including your contact details, education, previous work, and volunteer experience, and the names of at least two current referees.
  

The closing date is Sunday 1st February at 11.59pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and an appointment may be made prior to the closing date, so don't delay!

For a confidential discussion or for a candidate information pack, please contact our recruitment partner, Tara Roopra, on 08 6219 7102 or [email protected].

We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds and encourage applications from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and individuals who may identify as LGBTIQ, with a disability, a culturally and linguistically diverse background and people of all ages.

Please note: The selection process may involve multiple interviews, completion of a work sample, psychometric assessment, and reference and compliance checks prior to appointment.