Be a part of one of Australia's most dynamic, diverse, and challenging legal practices.
NAAJA provides legal aid for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory, with offices in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs.We are a leading Australian legal service and have received both National and Northern Territory human rights awards for our work.
We are committed to providing quality representation for our clients and bringing about long-term change in the justice system.
Our staff are motivated, dedicated and do work that matters.Benefits:Salary packaging options6 weeks annual leave per year with leave loadingPOSITION OVERVIEW:The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency Ltd (NAAJA) provides legal assistance and justice services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory.
We have offices in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
We are recognised as a leading legal service and have received national and local human rights and crime prevention awards for our work.NAAJA's legal practice is the largest in the Northern Territory, providing high quality, culturally proficient and accessible advice, casework and court advocacy in both criminal and civil law.
NAAJA particularly seeks to achieve social justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through strategic litigation, law reform and education.The criminal law practice consists of criminal solicitors working in the areas of youth summary, indictable and appellate crime, supported by administrative and client service staff who play a vital role in ensuring the provision of effective legal services to our clients.
The position requires a lawyer with a minimum of two years post-admission experience with a focus on criminal law and extensive experience as a court advocate, including in intermediate and superior courts.The work requires high levels of motivation, energy and a commitment to professional excellence.DUTIES:Represent clients in criminal matters before the Local Court and Supreme Court, including representation for mentions, direction hearings, pleas in mitigation, defended hearings, jury trials and appeals.Provide high quality advice on criminal law issues to clients.Undertake work at circuit courts, including travel and overnight stays in remote communities.Assist the Top End Crime Manager as required.Assist in training, development and mentoring of lawyers, interns and support staff.Identify issues that cause disadvantage to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system and to assist NAAJA through the Principal Legal Officer to respond to those issues through strategic litigation, advocacy and law reform.Work co-operatively as part of a team to help achieve the goals identified in NAAJA's Strategic Plan.Participate in all staff and team meetings as required.Work co-operatively with secretarial and client service staff as required.Other duties as directed.SELECTION CRITERIA:Admission (or eligibility for admission) as a legal practitioner in the Northern Territory with a minimum of 3 years post-admission experience.An understanding of the issues affecting the disproportionate involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system, including a demonstrated understanding and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their history and culture.Significant experience in criminal trial and appellate work in summary, intermediate and/or superior courts.Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Top End.Good time management and organisational skills including demonstrated capacity to perform under pressure and ability to effectively handle high volume workloads within tight deadlines.Ability and willingness to travel to and work in the regional areas serviced by NAAJA.Ability to work constructively with a diverse team of legal and non-legal staff to achieve the goals of the position including a willingness to seek advice from Client Service Officers on cultural issues.Satisfactory criminal history check and no history of disqualification from employment by a legal practice.#J-18808-Ljbffr