Lawyer

Ruah aims to promote measures to achieve equality. Section 51 of the Equal opportunity Act applies to this role. 

Ruah Legal Services are seeking three dedicated Lawyers to join our team. We have both full time and a part-time role available on 12 month contracts with the opportunity for extension. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable clients, with positions available across the Care and Protection, Criminal Law and Family Domestic Violence practice areas.

About Us

Ruah Legal Services (RLS) provides end-to-end legal representation integrated with psycho-social support. We also trade as the Mental Health Law Centre (MHLC), delivering legal services to clients experiencing severe mental illness. Our core practice areas include Care and Protection, Criminal Law, Restraining Orders, the Mental Health Act and Guardianship and Administration Act matters.

About the Role

As a lawyer at RLS, you will provide 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. This role 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 love advocating in court, this is the role for you. We are seeking lawyers who are passionate about 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.

In addition to client and advocacy work, you will:

• Mentor and train junior lawyers
• Supervise paralegals and volunteers
• Participate in the community legal education services and policy work of the Centre.
• Build collaborative, constructive relationships with key sector peers, stakeholders, and service providers to enhance outcomes for clients.

Section Criteria

The successful applicant will be required to meet the following criteria:

• At least 2 years post admission experience in Criminal Law, Family Law or Care and Protection Law, and a willingness to practice in other areas including representing clients at Mental Health Tribunals.
• Demonstrated competence in advocacy before Tribunals and Courts.
• Applications from Restricted Practitioners will be considered.
• 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 organisation.
• Exceptional time management skills, high level written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks and work flexibly and efficiently.

The following criteria are considering desirable, but not essential:

• Experience working in a Community Legal Centre.
• Experience with integrated approaches to legal practice which involve collaboration with non-legal support services.

Qualifications:

• Admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of Western Australia
• Hold a current practising certificate

Required Compliance Documents:

• Current drivers’ license
• WA Working with Children Check
• National Police Certificate
• Current Practising Certificate

 What do we offer?

• An opportunity to work with a passionate and highly skilled team.
• A chance to work alongside supportive human beings who genuinely want the best for you and your career. 
• 5 weeks annual leave.
• Salary packaging up to $15,900.
• Flexible working hours and office locations (if applicable).
• Free, independent and confidential access for you and your direct family to our Employee Assistance Program.
• 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). 
• 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

This is a fantastic opportunity for lawyers who thrive in a challenging, client-centered role and want to contribute to meaningful social justice work. If you are looking for a fulfilling 12-month role, we encourage you to apply.

Applicants must submit the following to be considered:

-    Covering letter addressing selection criteria above in no more than 3 A4 pages

-    Copy of your CV

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: COB Friday, 28th March 2025.