About Us

Women’s Legal Service Tasmania (WLST) is more than a statewide community legal service; we are a lifeline for women across Tasmania, offering comprehensive legal advice, together with an integrated practice of in-house financial counselling and social work services. Our legal services span a dedicated telephone advice line, face-to-face appointments, community legal education, outreach, law reform submissions, and referrals to crucial support services.  With offices in Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie, WLST is funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, recognising that in addition to the general legal problems that can affect everyone, there are some areas of law in which a woman’s experience is different – as a victim of a crime, as a primary carer of children, or through discrimination or lack of equal opportunity in employment or business.

Our focus is on assisting vulnerable women who have encountered family violence, sexual abuse, or discrimination. We create a supportive work environment to maintain our staff’s resilience, attuned to the diverse needs of women from various backgrounds. We are also thrilled to auspice Tasmania’s first Working Women’s Centre in collaboration with Worker Assist Tasmania.

About the Role

Under the supervision of the Principal Solicitor, the Solicitor will provide a high level of supportive, plain language legal advice, information and referral to women who contact our 1800 Advice Line. Where appropriate, the provision or face-to-face advice, preparation of written documents and correspondence, and other casework will be undertaken. A large percentage of calls received by Women’s Legal Service Tasmania relate to family law, family violence, and child protection issues, however, calls can relate to any area of the law so a commitment to professional development if important.

The Burnie and Launceston offices were established under the Australian Government Women’s Safety Package, and function as a specialist domestic violence unit (DVU) to assist women and their families impacted nu or experiencing family and domestic violence.

The provision of community legal education (CLE) workshops, drafting of law reform and lobbying submissions, along with organisational and administrative responsibilities are also a component of this position.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Provide high-quality legal advice, information, referral, casework, and representation to clients in both State and Federal jurisdictions, ensuring efficient, appropriate and plain language service delivery, including preparation of documents, forms and correspondence.
• Provide an integrated and holistic client service, working with social workers and financial counsellors to address both legal and non-legal needs of clients.
• Assist to develop and co-deliver community legal education activities and resources, training and outreach programs in line with the work of the Organisation, working collaboratively with key stakeholders to deliver these services.
• Maintain and develop relationships with key stakeholders in order to deliver outreach services to the community, with a focus on working in an integrated and collaborative manner.
• Assistance with research, preparation and presentation of law reform and lobbying submissions, working in consultation with other staff and key stakeholders to prepare submissions with reference with Women’s Legal Service Tasmania’s Strategic Plan.
• Be responsible for your own administrative work with the support of our paralegal team. The administrative team provides some administrative support, however the nature of funding for community legal services does not enable full administrative support.

What We’re Looking For:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in practice of law in areas relevant to women – family lay, family violence, child safety, victims of crime assistance – and the ability to advocate, negotiate and liaise effectively in a trauma-informed way.
• Demonstrated experience working in an interdisciplinary way with other professionals, and experience in working with a similar community sector organisation, or with a genuine understanding and desire to work within the not-for-profit sector.
• Well-developed organisational and time management skills, and the ability to set priorities and monitor your own workflow.

What We Offer

Extra Leave: Enjoy an additional week of annual leave to support your wellbeing, with 17.5% leave loading.

Parental Leave: 12 weeks of paid parental leave (pro rata) for employees with a minimum of 12 months’ service.

Salary Packaging: Generous not-for-profit salary packaging and a Meal & Entertainment Card up to $18,540 through Eziway, increasing your disposable income.

Wellbeing Support: Employee health and wellbeing support, flexible working practices, and bi-monthly professional supervision/counselling sessions through Relationships Australia.

Professional Development: Opportunities for conferences, events, and a dedicated training budget for your professional growth.

Resources and Memberships: Membership to selected professional organisations and access to dedicated legal resources.

Apply Now

To apply, please download a copy of the Solicitor Position Description (which includes the Selection Criteria to be addressed in an application).  When you’re ready to apply, email through a current resume and a statement addressing the selection criteria to careers@womenslegaltas.org.au. Please note that applicants must address the selection criteria to be considered for the position.

If you have any queries about the position, please reach out to our friendly team via our careers email and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference – get in touch with us today!