Principal Lawyer

About Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service

Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled, not-for-profit community legal practice that has been standing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for more than 15 years.

Established in 2009, with offices in eight regions across Queensland.

We specialise in supporting victims experiencing domestic and family violence and sexual assault by delivering a combination of:

• Legal advice, casework and representation in domestic and family violence, family law, child protection, victims’ assistance, and related areas.
• Court and tribunal advocacy.
• Wellbeing and case management support, helping clients access housing, safety planning, income support and community services.
• Community legal education and prevention initiatives, working with schools, health services and local organisations to build safer futures.

To further strengthen our support services and respond to growing community needs, we are expanding with our dedicated Case Management Officers and Outreach Engagement Teams across Queensland. Enhancing our ability to provide holistic, wrap-around, culturally safe support by reaching more clients in regional and remote areas—ensuring no one is left behind.

Our team is committed to delivering culturally safe, holistic support to our clients.

For more information, please visit our website Home – QIFVLS

About the role

The Principal Lawyer is responsible for overseeing the regional service delivery arm of the legal practice, as well as its compliance and for providing high quality legal representation and advice to clients, in the family law jurisdictions. In addition, the role reports to the Director Legal Practice (DLP) and provides a high level of support to the DLP.

We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Lawyer to join our Brisbane team. In this role, you will act as an advocate by providing legal advice, you will conduct legal case work and legal representation in the areas of Domestic and Family Violence, Child Protection, Family Law and Victims Assist Queensland applications. You will also engage with our local stakeholders and conduct community legal education sessions within our Far North Queensland service delivery areas.

About you

You will have strong and demonstrated advocacy experience and a sound knowledge of Family Law, Child Protection, Domestic & Family Violence law and victims’ assistance applications. You will also have a minimum of 4 years post admission experience.

You will also possess a current Open Drivers Licence and you must be eligible to work in Australia.

A cultural appreciation/understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is essential or having worked previously with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Member of the Legal Practice Management team responsible for legal operational business objectives.

• In consultation with the DLP, communicates the operational, strategic, and business plans to regional teams, setting and clarifying expectations, KPIs and targets.

• Manage and monitor the regional Legal Service Delivery team’s achievement of performance targets and agreed standards.

• Undertake regular file reviews and audits of all Service Delivery Offices to ensure compliance with NACLC Risk Management Guide; QIFVLS Legal Case Management Standards and legislation. Regular reports are to be provided to the DLP.

• Manage and monitor the Legal Service Delivery team’s client files (which include electronic files) and other documents, as well as ensuring compliance with NACLC Risk Management Guide, QIFVLS Legal Case Management Standards and legislation in conjunction with Case Management Practice model.

• Review and monitor the Service Delivery team’s productivity and the quality of advice administered by reviewing stakeholder and client feedback, Action Step and travel plans. Outcomes reported to DLP.

• In consultation with the DLP supervise, lead, support and ensure that the legal service delivery team provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are victim-survivors of family violence and or sexual assault are provided with quality legal services, representation, advice, and casework.

• In collaboration with the DLP, draft business reports and submissions.

• Network and liaise with community organisations, men’s and women’s groups, legal service providers, government departments and community justice groups to enable QIFVLS to effectively promote its services.

• Represent QIFVLS within the community by attending and presenting at meetings, functions, and forums in a manner consistent with QIFVLS’ professional standards

Benefits

Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service benefits are thoughtfully designed to support your wellbeing, empower your work-life balance, and provide meaningful opportunities for growth and development

• 15% superannuation contributions

• Salary packaging options of up to $15,900 per annum (non-taxable fringe benefits)

• Annual Christmas closure – including 5 paid gifted days from the Board of Directors

• Paid Birthday Day Off – our gift to you

• Q Leave – portal long service leave

• Monthly professional supervision

• Travel allowance

• 4 weeks annual leave

• 17.5% leave loading

• Bi-annual team building lunches

•  Annual wellbeing gift voucher

• Ongoing professional development opportunities, including internal training, external workshops, and conferences

• Opportunities to attend and engage in community events throughout the year

• Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your wellbeing

• Opportunities to travel to community

• Working with Children (Blue Card) reimbursement

• National Police Check reimbursement

• Uniforms provided