Job search
Principal Lawyer (Family) - Southport
Southport
Job details
| Position status | Fixed Term Temporary |
|---|---|
| Position type | Flexible full-time |
| Occupational group | Justice & Legal |
| Classification | PO6 |
| Workplace Location | Gold Coast |
| Job ad reference | QLD/705069 |
| Closing date | 05-Nov-2026 |
| Job duration | 18 January 2027 till 31 March 2028. |
| Contact person | Kristie Doyle |
| Contact details | (07) 5671 7717 Access the National Relay Service |
Legal Aid Queensland is seeking an experienced and capable legal practitioner to lead the delivery of high-quality family law services from our Southport office.
This role is responsible for leading and managing a family law team, supervising legal work, developing staff capability, and ensuring the effective delivery of services in complex family law, domestic and family violence, child protection and related matters. The position also contributes to strategic and operational planning, stakeholder engagement, law reform and service improvement initiatives.
Key responsibilities
In this role you will:
- lead, monitor and report on the operational performance of the team and ensure compliance with all professional and corporate responsibilities
- manage and supervise a team of professional and administrative staff, including achievement development plans, training, performance feedback, recruitment and other human resource activities
- supervise legal work and develop the legal skills of staff within the family law team and Legal Aid Queensland lawyers statewide
- provide guidance to external legal practitioners regarding particular cases, Legal Aid Queensland processes and referral pathways
- establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders in the justice system and allied sectors, represent Legal Aid Queensland at stakeholder meetings, and liaise with counterparts from other agencies and organisations
- develop and deliver continuing professional development to Legal Aid Queensland staff and preferred suppliers, and contribute to community legal education for external stakeholders
- ensure new initiatives and programmes are effectively implemented and supported
- represent clients, including providing advice, preparing matters and advocating in complex family law and related matters
- coordinate and provide duty lawyer and legal advice services and manage issues relating to the delivery of these services
- assist the Senior Principal Lawyer to manage resource allocation and ensure costs are contained within budget parameters
- contribute to strategic and operational planning, policy, procedure, law reform and legal service delivery initiatives
- develop, implement and improve systems and processes to manage file allocation, workflow and administration within the family law team.
What we are looking for
The successful applicant will demonstrate:
- knowledge of and experience in preparing, representing and advocating in a diverse range of complex family law, domestic and family violence, child protection and related matters, in accordance with relevant practice, procedure and ethical standards
- experience managing and supervising a team of professional and administrative staff, including performance management, staff development, recruitment and other human resource activities
- the ability to communicate in a clear, concise and articulate manner, provide sound rationale, negotiate persuasively and engage effectively with a range of stakeholders
- the ability to work effectively with clients with complex needs using the principles of trauma-informed practice
- the capacity to contribute to service improvement, team planning and organisational objectives.
Why join us?
Legal Aid Queensland plays an important role in Queensland's justice system by providing legal assistance to financially disadvantaged people and vulnerable Queenslanders. This role offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated team, contribute to high-quality legal service delivery and support improved outcomes for clients and the broader community.
Further information
We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.
Documents
Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.
-
PO6 Principal Family Lawyer Southport Position Description (PDF, 255KB)
Role Description
LAQ_00349 Applicant information kit FA (PDF, 3.13MB)
Application Kit
