Lawyer (Social Justice)

We welcome fearless thinkers.

For over 100 years, Maurice Blackburn has stood up for those who need us most. With courage and compassion, we extend access to justice to countless Australians. We look beyond the immediate challenge to support people in moments that matter across their lives, and continually push for better solutions for our clients. We invest in and empower our people to stand up for what we believe in and go fearlessly forward together.

We work on real cases, achieving important and positive results in real people’s lives, which is why we are one of Australia’s most respected law firms. Maurice Blackburn, experience you can count on.

About the role

Have you always wanted to work with Maurice Blackburn’s Social Justice Practice? A fantastic opportunity for a Lawyer within the practice has arisen in our Melbourne CBD office on a full-time, permanent basis.

Our Social Justice Practice takes on high profile and meaningful cases that deal with complex issues we are passionate about and seek to ensure that our legal work has an impact beyond the case. Every year we dedicate hundreds of hours working on pro bono legal issues, getting involved in community events and getting outcomes to matters that we might not have come across before. This is interesting and meaningful work where you can have a huge impact.

The experience we are looking for

With a passion for social justice, your knowledge, and exceptional interpersonal skills, coupled with your strong team focus and technical skills, will ensure your success in this role. This will be a busy and exciting opportunity for a high performing individual seeking to start their career as a lawyer in our Social Justice Practice. The successful candidate will possess excellent legal research and legal drafting skills, strong attention to detail, effective communications skills for assisting with the management of clients and a commitment to social justice. Experience and knowledge of litigation processes would be an advantage.

This position will involve the following: 

• Assisting with the preparation of affidavits and other evidence, including witness interviews and briefing experts
• Managing discovery processes
• Liaising with counsel
• Day to day conduct of matters, including preparing matters for mediation and hearing
• Conducting legal research and assessing new matters
• Communicating and working closely with vulnerable clients
• Working collaboratively with your Team, assisting where necessary to achieve team goals

Skills and Attributes:   

• Display empathy and compassion for our clients
• Ability to think creatively to find legal and advocacy solutions for our clients
• Experience in working with a team to prepare matters for mediation and hearing
• Capability to draft court documents, letters of advice and conduct complex legal research in novel and unfamiliar areas of law
• Exceptional written and verbal communication with lawyers, counsel and a diverse client group
• Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team

Team MB Benefits: 

• Ongoing coaching and career development opportunities  
• End of Year leave, 1 day first year, 4 days after 2 years 
• Comprehensive mental health framework, including wellbeing leave (up to 4 extra days per year) and $299 reimbursement 
• 22 Weeks Parental leave with your superannuation guaranteed and back-to-work transition policy 
• Rewards and recognition platform with fitness, retail, and entertainment discounts 
• A hybrid flex working model 
• Salary Continuance & Life Insurance 
• 17.5% Annual Leave Loading 

… just to name a few. *T's & C's apply 

Our shared values represent what we stand for and guide how we act, with Courage; Compassion; Collaboration; Fairness and Tenacity. 

We love that you have a life outside of work and we’re happy to support yours. We provide you a safe, supportive and collaborative environment, backed by inclusive leaders and progressive people policies, where you can be your authentic self and thrive. Here we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, enriched by differences in ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, age and family arrangements. Applications from First Nations People are encouraged. 

Are you ready to join us on a journey to extend access to justice to more Australians, in an organisation and role in which every action you take makes a difference? Apply now. 

Our Circle Back Initiative partnership means we’re committed to responding to every applicant. 

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to undergo background checks as part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant workplace