Redfern Legal Centre First Nations Cadetship Program

Details

During their cadetship, students will work alongside Redfern Legal Centre solicitors, gaining practical legal experience and exposure to clients experiencing disadvantage.

The program is generously supported by Kerry O’Brien and McCullough Robertson Lawyers. The cadet will be paid a stipend of $54.88 per hour to undertake 18 days of employment spread over a mutually agreed period.

The successful candidate will work alongside Redfern Legal Centre solicitors across three areas of our legal practice.

The cadet will gain practical experience working with clients experiencing disadvantage, and join RLC solicitors engaged in advising clients, undertaking casework and policy projects and delivering community legal education.

The cadet will receive:

• practical training across a range of legal areas
• experience in aspects of practice management: client intake and issues identification, ‘triage’, and managing a client caseload and court diary
• skills development in legal research and writing and delivering legal advice
• structured mentoring and networking opportunities with the legal sector and community, and;
• access to training and other development opportunities, including attendance at courses and conferences.

The program will support the cadet to develop the skills, experience and confidence to achieve their career aspirations in law or a legal practice.

Working across several legal services at RLC, and reporting to the Principal Solicitor, the cadet will work with highly skilled, passionate and creative lawyers with a commitment to advancing the prospective cadet’s legal career through experience, education, mentorship and network building.

The position will offer a unique experience for professional development and put the cadet in a strong position to explore further career opportunities in the legal profession at the conclusion of their employment and studies.

Eligibility

The Cadetship Program is open to First Nations students who are currently undertaking a law degree.

To be eligible to become an RLC cadet, candidates must:

• be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and identify and be accepted as such in the community, and
• provide evidence of enrolment in an LLB or equivalent course in an approved Australian tertiary institution for an undergraduate degree; a combined undergraduate degree; a postgraduate degree; or an Honours/Masters year as part of an undergraduate degree.

We are looking for applicants who:

• have a sound academic track record
• are good communicators and highly motivated
• are committed and sensitive to the needs of RLC's diverse client groups
• can demonstrate initiative, adaptability and problem-solving skills
• are passionate about social justice, human rights and public interest lawyering
• can demonstrate strong connections to the local Redfern community (not essential)

RLC strives to create a culturally safe environment for our clients and staff. We are a proud supporter of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

How to apply

To apply please send a resume and a cover letter addressing the above criteria to recruitment@rlc.org.au by 5pm, Monday 5 December 2022.