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Research Lawyer / Legal Researcher

  • Ground-breaking truth-telling project 
  • Research laws and policies that have impacted First Nations Peoples
  • Full-time or part time, two-year fixed term contract, with possible extension 

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre is a leading social justice law and policy centre. We build a fairer, stronger society by helping to change laws, policies and practices that cause injustice and inequality.  

PIAC offers a diverse and inclusive workplace where:

  • Wellbeing is actively promoted and flexibility is supported
  • We are committed to the professional development of our staff
  • Advantageous salary packaging options are available

We are seeking a Research Lawyer / Legal Researcher to support PIAC’s work on the Towards Truth Project: towardstruth.org.au.

Towards Truth is a partnership with the Indigenous Law Centre UNSW. We are delivering a unique and ground-breaking truth-telling project that shows the impact of laws and government policies on First Nations people since 1788.

You will be part of a dedicated project team, supporting the day-to-day implementation of the project including researching, documenting, and interpreting laws and policies that have impacted on First Nations Peoples. You will also:

  • develop research plans and research requests
  • supervise and review the research of pro bono lawyers and interns
  • draft plain-English summaries of laws and policies 

You have tertiary qualifications in law with at least 2 years’ post-qualification experience in legal practice and/or research, and a proven understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander history, culture and society.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply. 

If you can demonstrate your understanding of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the importance of truth telling, please send your resume along with a covering letter and responses to the selection criteria included in the position description. 

Inquiries should be directed to Anna Harding via [email protected].

Please send your application to [email protected], including Research Lawyer / Legal Researcher in the subject field. Please note there is no application close date, and we invite you to apply as soon as possible.   

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Justice Lawyer

  • Advance justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • 24-month secondment to PIAC, employed by Moray & Agnew
  • Identified Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander role

Moray & Agnew and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre have partnered to provide this unique opportunity.

This position is a 24-month secondment to the Public Interest Advocacy Centre to undertake public interest casework and legal policy advocacy to advance PIAC’s priorities and strategy for working with First Nations people and communities.

The position is supported by Moray & Agnew, one of Australia’s leading specialist insurance law firms with over 700 employees nationally and forms a part of Moray & Agnew’s pro bono commitment.

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre is a leading social justice law and policy centre. We build a fairer, stronger society by helping to change laws, policies and practices that cause injustice and inequality. On First Nations justice issues, we partner with Aboriginal organisations, bringing our strategic expertise to issues like child removals, over-policing and the need for truth-telling.

Reporting to the PIAC Principal Solicitor and working as part of PIAC’s strategic litigation team, you will:

  • Help identify barriers to justice and fairness facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, and implement legal and policy advocacy strategies to address those barriers.
  • Provide legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, including undertaking strategic litigation under supervision to effect systemic change.
  • Research and plan policy positions on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice issues.
  • Contribute to the drafting of submissions, reports, articles and media releases to communicate PIAC’s policy positions on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice issues to decision-makers and the community.

We are seeking an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Lawyer with 0-3 years PAE and:

  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong legal, technical and drafting skills
  • The ability to deliver excellent client service
  • The ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines
  • Maturity, initiative and good judgement

This position is only open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. It is intended as a special measure to promote substantive equality for the purposes of s8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and the subject of an exemption granted under s126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

If you would like to join us in advocating for social justice, please apply via the Moray & Agnew website.

Please note there is no application close date, and we invite you to apply as soon as possible.

Practical Legal Training Placements

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre is a leading social justice law and policy centre. We build a fairer, stronger society by helping to change laws, policies and practices that cause injustice and inequality.

PIAC is currently recruiting for Practical Legal Training (PLT) placements. The placements are unpaid, however reasonable travel costs are reimbursed.

PLT placements are supervised by a Solicitor within either our strategic litigation team, our Homeless Persons’ Legal Service or our Towards Truth project team. PLT placements will have an opportunity to work with lawyers and policy officers across our organisation.

PIAC undertakes work with a strong legal component in our strategic litigation practice, the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service and the Towards Truth project team.

PIAC’s strategic litigation team conduct high impact strategic litigation that achieves positive outcomes for significant groups of disadvantaged people. We bring test cases that create important legal precedents and advocate for policy and law reform to protect human rights and promote social justice. Our current focus areas include: 

  • Equality and non-discrimination
  • First Nations Justice
  • Climate change and social justice
  • A fairer NDIS
  • Fair use of police powers and rights in detention
  • Asylum seeker rights 

Our Homeless Persons’ Legal Service protects the rights of people experiencing homelessness and helps reduce homelessness by tackling legal and systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing and maintaining appropriate, secure housing. 

Our Towards Truth team uses legal research and analysis to support First Nations truth-telling as called for by the Uluru Statement from the Heart. You can see more about Towards Truth by visiting our website – www.towardstruth.org.au 

The Volunteer PLT Placement contributes to the provision of a successful, innovative, and responsive legal practice through assisting with PIAC’s litigation and associated policy, research and law reform, training and administrative work. 

PIAC strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people living with a disability.

Applications

Your application should be no longer than five pages. An application should comprise:

  • A cover letter addressing the selection criteria included in the position description
  • A current CV
  • A copy of your academic transcript

Applications close on 21 June 2024 and should be sent by email to [email protected]. Placements commence in July 2024.

For further information about the recruitment of PLTs, please contact Mitchell Skipsey, Senior Solicitor, Strategic Litigation via [email protected]

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