Special Counsel - Anywhere within Australia or the Torres Strait Islands

Enviornmental Defenders Office (EDO), First Nations Justice 

• Fixed contract until 30 April 2026
• Remuneration: SCHADS Level 8: $127,725 - $141,668 + 11% super + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
• Mandatory Requirements: This is an Identified Position – It is an occupational requirement that this position be filled by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Travel will be required at times to fulfill this role.

 

About the position

This is a unique opportunity for a passionate and experienced First Nations Special Counsel to lead the Western legal elements of the EDO’s First Nations Justice team, which will include building and maintaining reciprocal relationships with First Nations communities who are needing to protect their cultural heritage. This role will also help shape the strategic direction of work relating to First Nations communities.

We are looking for a talented lawyer with demonstrated litigation, legal education or outreach experience. You will provide culturally safe legal engagement, education and legal reform on cultural heritage issues facing First Nations peoples.

You will have the opportunity to build relationships and learn from a broad range of community members, as well as solicitors and other professionals across the EDO who work on a range of issues in pursuit of environmental justice – climate change, pollution, mining, gas, cultural heritage, biodiversity and human rights.

Your work will include litigation, legal advice and representation, policy and law reform, legal education and at times, outreach. Your work may even take you beyond the bounds of Australia, as you represent clients, or give advice to clients, on international mechanisms to further their causes, including at the United Nations.

Depending on your location, travel will be required for court, outreach and other engagements.

 

Key Selection Criteria:

     Essential

•  An unrestricted practicing certificate or entitlement to one
• A minimum of 5 years PAE working as a solicitor
• Supervisory skills and development of legal and non-legal staff, as well as managing a wide range of matters.
• Expertise in environmental law – cultural heritage laws, policies and issues particularly desired.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make sound judgements and decisions based on consideration of different views
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and to deadlines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills suited to a range of audiences
• Demonstrated extensive litigation experience with high level and complex matters in administrative or environmental law and/or related disciplines
• Demonstrated experience in supervising legal staff in delivering on advice and litigation work, including responsibility for reviewing and approving court documents and associated work

     Desirable experience

• Experience in undertaking law or policy reform experience desirable
• Demonstrated experience working with First Nations people or diverse communities and individuals highly desirable
• Understanding of, or experience of international mechanisms, including at the United Nations, and UNDRIP.

 

Click here to download the job description and apply for this vacancy

 

Applications close Wednesday, 13 December 2023. 

 

For further information please contact Casey kickett - Director, First Nations Program by phone: 1800 626 239 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..