Fitzroy Legal Service: Community Lawyer / Senior Lawyer (Identified) - Q+ Law
Michael Barnett OAM
Community Lawyer / Senior Lawyer (Identified) - Q+ Law
Job description
- Full time, until 31 October 2026
- Fitzroy and St Kilda (Victorian Pride Centre)
- This is an identified role and only members of the LGBTIQA+SB community are eligible to apply, in line with the special measures provision in the Equal Opportunity Act 2010
ABOUT Q+LAW
Q+Law is Victoria’s statewide, specialist LGBTIQA+SB legal service, operated by Fitzroy Legal Service in partnership with Queerspace, to address the unique and complex legal needs experienced by LGBTIQA+SB community members.
Q+Law provides a safe and inclusive entry point to the legal assistance sector for LGBTIQA+SB community members and conducts casework on specialist LGBTIQA+SB legal issues. Q+Law also undertakes advocacy, law reform, community education and legal assistance sector capacity-building to empower and advance the rights of LGBTIQA+SB communities.
ABOUT THE ROLE
In this role you will conduct casework on specialist LGBTIQA+SB legal issues and provide a safe and inclusive entry point to the legal assistance sector for LGBTIQA+SB community members. You will also engage in advocacy, law reform, community education and sector capacity-building to empower and advance the rights of LGBTIQA+SB communities.
Depending on qualifications, experience and skillset, the successful candidate will be appointed as either Community Lawyer or Senior Lawyer.
You will make a difference by:
- Conducting casework in specialist LGBTIQA+SB areas including discrimination, gender affirming care and name and identity change
- Providing legal advice and information across a broad range of community law areas including family law, family violence, employment, tenancy, human rights, and more
- Building the capacity of LGBTIQA+SB communities through community legal education
- Improving access to legal assistance by providing outreach through community partners
- Identifying systemic issues and supporting advocacy and law reform to advance LGBTIQA+SB rights
- Collaborating with community organisations, legal partners and stakeholders to strengthen services and referrals
If appointed as Senior Lawyer, you will also have a role in:
- Strategic litigation to advance the rights of LGBTIQA+SB communities
- Supervising, mentoring and supporting Q+Law Community Lawyers, volunteers and paralegals
See attached position descriptions for more information.
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in the role you will ideally have (for both roles):
- A current Australian practising certificate or eligibility to immediately obtain one
- A demonstrated commitment to LGBTIQA+SB liberation, antiracism, and social justice
- A demonstrated understanding of gender, sexuality and intersectionality, and an awareness of the legal and social issues commonly experienced by LGBTIQA+SB communities
- The ability to provide safe, inclusive, trauma-informed and client-centred services
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- The ability to engage effectively with partners and stakeholders in the community legal and LGBTIQA+SB sectors
- A demonstrated ability to manage competing demands, work collaboratively within a small team and contribute to a positive team culture
For Senior Lawyer
- A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate or eligibility to immediately obtain one
- At least 3 years post-admission experience (experience in family law or equal opportunity/anti-discrimination law will be highly regarded)
- Strong analytical and creative thinking skills, and the ability to identify legal solutions in emerging areas of law
- A demonstrated ability to train, supervise, mentor, support and debrief with junior lawyers
If you meet some, but not all, of the above, we encourage your application. We appreciate that people obtain skills and experience in a range of ways, and value people’s curiosity and openness to learning.
WHAT WE OFFER
- 5 weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, plus extra paid leave between Christmas and New Year.
- Above-award salary and the ability to increase your take-home pay by accessing salary packaging benefits (use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you).
- A range of leave options, including 16 weeks parental leave, gender affirmation leave, cultural and ceremonial leave, the ability to swap public holidays and purchase additional leave.
- Access to reflective practice, debriefing, mentoring and other mental health support
ABOUT FLS
Fitzroy Legal Service (FLS) is dedicated to assisting the most marginalised members of the community with legal information, advice and representation, as well as championing law reform and conducting public interest litigation.
Fitzroy Legal Service provides legal services for communities who are disproportionately impacted by law and policy, and those who face systemic barriers to accessing justice. We provide various multidisciplinary outreach programs reaching communities of colour, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, LGBTIQA+ communities and people who use drugs.
Our vision: A fairer Victorian community, where the legal and social systems support equality and justice for all.
Further information about FLS can be found on our website: fls.org.au.
For more information about this position, please contact Aidan McCarthy, Q+Law Managing Lawyer by email to amcc...@fls.org.au using the subject line: Community Lawyer / Senior Lawyer (Identified) - Q+ Law enquiry via EthicalJobs.
Fitzroy Legal Service is an inclusive employer and complies with the laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, family responsibilities, irrelevant criminal record and other protected attributes. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from members of diverse communities and people with relevant lived experience.
To be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or hold a valid work permit or visa.
The successful candidate must undergo a National Police Check.
NOTE: Disclosure of a criminal record does not necessarily preclude employment with FLS, but if needed, we invite applicants to address this issue early in the application phase. Should a criminal record disclosure be advised by a candidate, FLS will endeavour to provide clarity over whether the conviction would preclude a candidate from being able to carry out the position duties.
A position description is attached.
Supporting Materials
Job Summary
- $104,084 - $118,758 per annum + super + salary packaging
- Applications close: 11:00 PM AEDT, 5th Oct 2025
- Job posted on: 18th Sep 2025
- Melbourne > Fitzroy