Managing Lawyer, Litigation & Casework

Managing LawyerLitigation &Casework

• Location:Australia-wide
• Term:Ongoing
• Full-time:37.5hours per week
• Remuneration:SCHADS Level 8: $% super 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply

Job title:Managing LawyerLitigation &Casework

Reporting to:Principal Lawyer/Director Litigation & Casework

Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmentalcommunitylegal centre in the Australia-Pacific dedicated to protecting our climatecommunitiesand shared environment by providing access to justice running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy.

Since time immemorial FirstNations and Indigenous peoples have been taking care of their Countries in Australia and the Pacific. These deep understandings knowledges and experiences are critical tomaintainingthe health and vitality of Australia and the Pacifics unique wildlife and ecosystems. EDO respects these great knowledges and strongly believes that EDO cannot achieve a world where nature thrives without workingforFirst Nations and Indigenous peoples.

Lead Litigation that Shapes Environmental Law!

Are you anexceptionallitigator looking toapply yourexpertisetocomplexstrategiclitigationthatdeliversmeaningfulenvironmentaljusticeandsocialimpact

Jointhe largestenvironmentallegal centre in the Australia-Pacificandwork on mattersthat shape legalprecedent influencepolicyandprotect communitiesand theenvironment.

Reporting to thePrincipalLawyer /DirectorLitigation and Casework you will leadcomplex high-impactlitigation thatadvances environmentaljusticeand EDOs will bring outstandinglegaljudgementadvocacyandlitigationexpertiseto some of Australias most significantenvironmentalmatters workingcollaboratively withcolleaguesacrosstheorganisationtodevelopinnovativelegal strategies.

While yourtechnicalexcellence will beyour great strengththis rolealsoprovidestheopportunity to broaden yourimpact through mentoring lawyersstrengtheningclientandstakeholder relationships andcontributing to the ongoingdevelopment of ahigh-performing litigation team.

Candidate Profile:

Are you an experiencedlitigatorlooking to use your expertise to drive meaningful change

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic legal leader who is passionate about using the law to protect the environment advance climate justice and deliver lasting impact for communities.

You will bringdemonstratedlitigation experience strong leadership capability and the ability to think creatively about how legal tools can be used to achieve systemic change. Working closely with legal experts across the organisation you will lead high-impact litigation provide strategic legal advice contributeto law reform and mentor a talented team of lawyers while collaborating with clients communities government and environmental organisations to shape the future of environmental justice.

If you arelooking for a role where your legalexpertise leadership and strategic thinking can help advance the public interest while contributing to the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific we would love to hear from you.

KeyResponsibilities:

The key responsibilities of theManaging Lawyer Litigation and Caseworkinclude but are not limited to:

• Lead EDOs Litigation team providing strategic direction supervision and mentoring to deliver high-qualityrepresentativelegal servicesto EDO clients.
• RepresentEDOs clients in Courts Tribunals and complex casework includingengaging with regulators andregulatorycomplaints.
• Develop and implementlegalstrategies that advance EDOsclientobjectivesand drive systemic environmental change.
• Lead andsupervisecomplex public interest litigationand representative casework for EDO clients including managing high-risk and strategically significant mattersin Courts and Tribunals and representative matters in quasi-judicial forums.
• Work collaboratively with thePrincipal LawyerandDeputy Principal Lawyertostrengthen EDOs nationallitigation and complex caseworkskills andpractice.
• Deliverconsistentlyhigh-qualitylegal advice and representation services.
• Foster a high-performing inclusive and collaborative team culture by coachingdevelopingand empowering lawyers across a geographically dispersed team.
• Buildandmaintaintrusted relationships withEDOclientsand community stakeholdersandthe legal profession.
• Represent EDO through media engagement public speaking stakeholderforumsandlegaleducation initiatives to promotepublic interest litigation and casework as a keydemocraticpillar.
• Ensure effective practice managementgovernanceand resource allocationmaintainingcompliance with professional obligations while contributing to EDOs strategic growth and organisational success.

Key selection criteria:

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience (minimum8years post-admission5 yearswill be considered for exceptionalcandidates) leading complex litigation and strategic casework including carriage and supervision of matters in the Federal Court and/or State and Territory Courts.
• Demonstratedexpertiseinadministrative lawand civil litigationwithexpertiseinrelated areas highly regarded includingenvironmentallawclimate changelawhuman rights lawor corporate and consumerlaw.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement litigationand caseworkstrategies for clients todrive systemic change with the strategic judgement toidentifyinnovative legal opportunities and deliver meaningful outcomes.
• Highly developed strategic organisational and communication skills withdemonstratedexperience managing competing prioritiesmaintainingprofessional compliance and delivering high-quality legal services aligned with organisationalobjectives.
• Proven leadershipcapabilitywithin a legal practicecontextwith this roleincluding leading and developing high-performing teams mentoring legal professionals managing legal risk and practice obligations and fostering a collaborative inclusive and values-led culture.
• A current Australian practising certificate (or eligibility to obtain a Principal Practising Certificate) and relevant tertiary legal qualifications are essential.

Desirable:

• Experience leading strategicpublic interestlitigation within thecommunity legal or not-for-profit sector including inenvironmentclimateor human rightsmatters.
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills with the capacity to build trusted relationships with a diverse range of stakeholdersand clients specific with client groups includingenvironmentaland human rightsnon-governmentorganisationscommunity groups and members andTraditional Ownersand their representative organisations together with experience representing organisations through media or public forums.
• Knowledge ofAustraliandomestic and internationallawrelevant to corporate conduct and action including but not limited to theCorporations Act 2001and the Australian Consumer Law.
• Knowledge ofAustralian domestic andinternational human rightslawrelevant to environmental mattersincludinginternationalcomplaintsmechanismsand Australian human rightslegislation.
• Managing budgets andstaff to deliver on organisationalobjectives.
• Experience working across geographically dispersed teams and collaborating acrossjurisdictionsto deliver strategic legal outcomes.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to environmental justice access to justice and the role of strategic litigation lawreformand community legal education in driving systemic change.

Personal qualities and cultural competency

• A champion of the EDO values.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation.
• Commitment to the protection of human rights and the environment.
• A strong senseof ethics and understanding of professional obligations.
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of First Nations and peoples from diverse cultures backgrounds and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment.

Our Culture and Benefits:

We care deeply about creating a workplace whereour team members feel valuedrespectedand empowered. We are committed toprovidingequal opportunity regardless of gender identity ethnicity disability sexualorientationor life stage.

• The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific.
• A very flexible and family-friendly workplace.
• Optionto work from home.
• 8 weeks paid parental leave regardless of gender or carer status.
• 15 days personal/carers leave.
• 20 days annual leave.
• 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave per year.
• 3 days paid cultural leave per year.
• Extrapaidleave over the Christmas period.
• Opportunities and encouragement to attendNational Reconciliation Week andNAIDOC week events.
• ICIP and Colonial Loading protection within employment contract.
• Access toanEmployeeAssistanceProgram.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice Equality Diversity Inclusion) Committee and a Mental Health AmbassadorCommittee andhas developed a First Nations Program with the aid of indigenous-led consultancies.
• Three Affinity groups for the following: Disability Global Majority* and LGBTQIA

*Global Majority is a collective term thatfirst and foremostspeaks toand encourages those so-called to think of themselves as belonging to the majority on planet earth. It refers to people who are Black African Asian Brown dual-heritage indigenous to the global south and or have beenracialisedas ethnicminorities.

EDOs Values & Cultural Pillars:

All employees are expected to contribute to a workplace culture that reflects EDOs values and cultural pillars through their actionsbehavioursand decision-making.

Thriving People & Professional Excellence

• Demonstrates professionalism accountability and commitment to continuous learning.
• Contributes to a safe respectful and supportive workplace where people can thrive.
• Delivers high-quality work andseeksopportunities to develop capability andexpertise.

Shared Direction & Courageous Action

• Works collaboratively toward sharedorganisationalgoals andpurpose.
• Demonstrates initiative adaptability and courage in addressing challenges and opportunities.
• Supports innovation and contributes positively toorganisationalchange.

Grounded in Clarity Strengthened by Trust Driven by Ownership

• Acts with integrity transparency and accountability.
• Builds trust through respectful communication and follow-through oncommitments.
• Takesownership of responsibilities and contributes toeffective decision-making.

Inclusive Impact

• Values and respects diverse perspectivesbackgroundsand lived experiences.
• Demonstrates cultural competence and contributes to a culturally safe and inclusive workplace.
• Supports EDOs commitment to justice equity diversity and inclusion including meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and communities.

Purposeful Joy

• Contributes to a positive connected and respectful workplace culture.
• Supports the wellbeing of colleagues and celebrates achievements and contributions.
• Brings enthusiasm curiosity and optimism to their work.

Supporting EDO Values

• Commitment Working together to achieve environmental justice and positive outcomes for communities.
• Diversity Respecting and valuing difference inclusion and cultural safety.
• Integrity Acting ethically professionally and with accountability.
• Vision Embracing innovation creativity and continuous improvement.

How to Apply

• Apply via our websiteor by clicking Apply here: review the position description please see this link: you have queriesregardingthis advertisement please contact us

  Applications will be assessed as they are received so we encourage you tosubmityour application as soon as possibleto be considered for this role.

  Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of thekeyselection criteria above.

  The Key Selection Criteria show theminimumessential requirements of the position. The desirable criteria outlineadditionalattributes which would enable the successful candidate to perform the role more effectively; they are not essential but may be used to distinguish between applicants during the shortlisting process.

  EDO particularly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Pacific Island people people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds workers of all ages people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA.

  Please note:Your application may be considered for future roles at the EDO within the next 12 months withoutadditionaladvertising. Pleasenotify usin your applicationif you would not like to be considered for similar roles beyond this recruitment.

  If you have any accessibility needs for the recruitment or interviewing process please let us know in your application or by

  Vaccination Requirements

  EDOdoes not havea vaccination mandate. EDO staff have the option to share vaccination details within the EDO HRIS willmaintainthis record of vaccination status of EDO employees;howeverif staff do not wish todisclosethis information it will not be enforced.

  Working with clients face-to-face:

  • EDO works with diverse peoples and groups across the Australian and Pacific communities including people who are considered a high-risk group in terms of COVID-19.
  • In order toensure the safety of all EDO employees and the people we work with and around staff visitingoverburdened communitiesare required totake a COVID-19 test three (3) days prior and on the day of travel to the overburdened community.

  Other Information

  All offers of employment may be subject tosatisfactory background checks including a National Police Check disclosure ofpreviousor current disciplinary action referee checks proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.