Working in the largest family law firm in Queensland, you will work alongside a team of experienced lawyers and social workers with direct access to mentors and dedicated continuing professional development programs to advance your skills and build your career.
A challenging but rewarding role, we support our family lawyers to be compassionate, resilient, and decisive in the face of complex and challenging circumstances. Working in family law at Legal Aid Queensland will have a meaningful impact on the lives of disadvantaged Queenslanders.
We provide family law services in all 14 offices across Queensland and work across all areas of family law with the opportunity to specialise in:
- child protection
- child and family services
- dispute resolution (practitioner and/or an arbitrator)
- violence prevention and women’s advocacy
- complex parenting matters
- Torres Strait Islander legal adoption
- independent children’s lawyer
- separate representative.
What you will do
Family lawyers represent people in resolving family law disputes via alternative dispute resolution or, if unsuccessful, in court. A family lawyer can help people to understand their legal rights and responsibilities and explain how the law applies in their circumstances. You will interview clients, provide legal advice, draft consent orders and court documents, attend mediations and advocate in court.
Why become a family lawyer
Family law is one of the most dynamic and challenging areas of the law. You will be at the forefront of shaping our society’s priorities and cultural values—with the potential to make a real difference to the community in which you live.
Personal strengths
As a family lawyer, you will move beyond transactional legislation and into the personal side of working with clients. You will rely on your strong interpersonal skills, empathy, resilience and adaptability to help Queensland’s most disadvantaged clients in navigating the trials and tribulations of relationship breakdown, family violence matters, child protection issues and related challenges.
I feel privileged helping disadvantaged people navigate the family law system...
it gives me so much job satisfaction.
Graduate experience
Graduates who move into family law will quickly find themselves taking responsibility for various tasks, from attending client meetings and taking notes to preparing briefs and supporting more experienced practitioners during their court appearances. You will also find yourself drafting many different documents, including correspondence, court applications and affidavits.
How do I become a lawyer?
To become a lawyer in Queensland, you must satisfy three requirements:
- Complete an approved law degree
- Complete an approved practical legal training course, which awards you a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- You are a fit and proper person eligible for admission with the Queensland Law Society.
Benefits that matter
Work/life balance
We offer a 36.25-hour full time work week, time in lieu and accrued time off options, flexible work hours, and work from home options.
Regional & remote incentives
Staff in our regional offices receive an extra annual leave, locality allowances, relocation assistance and paid travel for professional development.
Leave entitlements
Staff have access to a wide variety of leave entitlements - generous family leave, an extra paid leave day over the Christmas closure period, domestic and family violence leave, option to purchase extra leave, study leave & career break options.
Financial benefits
Enjoy 17.5% annual leave loading, practising certificates costs reimbursed, novated leasing options, study assistance and generous salary packaging of up to $30,000 FBT which reduces your taxable income and increases your take home pay.
Diversity and inclusion
Enjoy an inclusive workplace that is committed to cultural safety, has an active First Nations employee network, an annual First Nations conference and access to culturally capable external providers.
Health and wellbeing
Staff are supported with free confidential counselling sessions for themselves and their immediate family, the fitness passport program, free flu and other vaccinations, corporate health insurance rates and more.
Rewards and recognition
We celebrate our staff with annual awards including length of service awards, team awards, individual service awards and CEO awards plus corporate events throughout the year.
Professional development
Maintain your skills with in-house CPD events, annual conferences, mentoring and leadership programs, annual conferences for legal and support staff and access to the in-house research library.