Public Defender - Legal Aid Queensland

Public DefenderCounselSalary detailsStatusFull timeLocationBrisbaneContact Paul Davey on (07) 3405 0776ClassificationSalary rangeSES 2 High$133,958 to $146,377 a yearTotal remuneration will include employer superannuation contributions, annual leave loading, vehicle andsalary packaging benefit. Please see the Applicant Information Kit for more details.Your opportunityYour responsibilitiesThe Public Defender role offers an outstanding opportunity for an experienced legalprofessional to take on a leadership position that is recognised and respected notonly within Legal Aid Queensland, but the broader legal profession in Queensland.As Public Defender, you will lead a collegiate team of legal professionals. You willrepresent legally-aided clients in the High Court of Australia, Court of Appeal, theMental Health Court and before all other court jurisdictions, with a focus on appealsand serious crime. You will be dealing with matters that are challenging, complexand high-profile. You will also have the opportunity to work on high-level law andpolicy reform submissions.Appear as leading counsel in the more complex law matters, including highprofile trials and criminal appeals before the Court of Appeal and High Court ofAustralia.Manage Counsel to achieve Legal Aid Queensland’s strategic and operationalobjectives, and particularly to deliver the highest quality of legal assistanceservices to clients.Manage and support a team of lawyers and administration staff to ensure ashared commitment to a culture of client service, accountability and highperformance.Provide opinions and specialist legal advice to staff, clients and preferredsuppliers on matters relating to criminal law, evidence, procedure, advocacy andethics.Contribute to Legal Aid Queensland’s strategic direction as a member of theExecutive Management Team and provide advice to the deputy chief executiveofficer, chief executive officer, the board and internal managers about complexlegal matters.1

Develop plans and strategies for Counsel consistent with the organisation’sstrategic plan and ensure objectives are achieved and Counsel is sustainable.Contribute to developing and implementing policy, procedure and law reforminitiatives as needed by the deputy chief executive officer or chief executiveofficer.Deliver, and ensure other Counsel members deliver, internal and externalpresentations and papers as part of a continuing professional developmentprogram.Represent Legal Aid Queensland in external forums as requested by the deputychief executive officer or chief executive officer, and establish and maintainnetworks with members of the judiciary, government officers and otherprofessionals.Manage resource allocation to ensure costs are contained within budgetparameters.Your core capabilitiesMerit and performance will be assessed on these core capabilities:You have outstanding and highly developed written and oral advocacy skills asdemonstrated in cases of the highest level of difficulty and complexity. You alsohave demonstrated the ability to critically review case materials and advise on,draft and argue grounds of appeal in the Queensland Court of Appeal and HighCourt of Australia.You have expert knowledge of the substantive and procedural criminal law inQueensland and have knowledge of civil and family law. You have notableexperience and command respect for professional competence and integrityfrom the judiciary and members of the private profession.You have the capacity to take on management responsibilities. You contribute toprofessional development, including providing clear guidance, constructivefeedback and mentoring.You can contribute to Counsel’s strategic direction, investigate ways to improveeffectiveness and maintain flexibility in a changing environment.You can represent Legal Aid Queensland effectively in public and internalforums. You can build and sustain relationships in the organisation and withexternal professional stakeholders.Your qualificationsYou must be admitted or eligible for immediate admission as a legal practitioner inQueensland, and eligible for a current practising certificate and entry in the HighCourt Register of Practitioners.22

Your reporting relationshipsAdditional informationA three-year contract will be negotiated with the successful applicant.A driver licence is highly desirable, as the position will involve travelling.Legal Aid Queensland uses the internet and other technology in daily businessand staff are expected to use these to produce their own documents (includingtyping and data entry).Additional information, including our organisation structure and ApplicantInformation Kit, is available from www.legalaid.qld.gov.au33