Duty Lawyer, Criminal Law – Pool

About the Role

Legal Services is creating a pool for upcoming Duty Lawyer vacancies. In this role you will provide access to justice for people appearing in the criminal jurisdictions of the Magistrates and Youth Courts.

You will provide legal advice and assistance to people in custody following arrest on fresh charges, including court representation for mentions, bail applications and straightforward guilty pleas.

In addition to Duty Lawyer work, you will also undertake file work on allocated criminal matters of lower complexity.

About you

You are a

• Motivated and client-focused legal practitioner with a genuine commitment to providing accessible, high-quality legal services.
• Confident and adaptable professional who can work effectively in a fast-paced court and duty lawyer environment.
• Collaborative team member who exercises sound judgement, professionalism and integrity when working with clients, colleagues and stakeholders.

You will:

• Hold a Category C Practising Certificate or be eligible to apply for one.
• Be an admitted practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia or currently eligible for admission to practise in South Australia.

You will bring:

• Experience in establishing trust and confidence with clients and key stakeholders.
• Experience in communicating effectively with a wide range of people from cultural, ethnic and indigenous backgrounds and/or persons with a physical or mental illness.
• An ability to deliver high quality, concise advice by assessing problems logically, thoroughly and reliably with due skill and diligence.
• An ability to relate well to members of the judiciary, support staff, government and non-government agencies, other professional organisations, fellow legal practitioners and members of the public.

Salary Range

$77,210 – $88,048 per annum pro rata plus 12% superannuation and leave loading 

As a not-for-profit organisation, Legal Services is able to offer its employees attractive salary sacrifice arrangements, including up to $15,900 pre-tax Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) year for general living expenses.

Term of Employment

24-month Temporary Contracts available at the LSC1 classification level.

Workplace Benefits

We provide a range of financial and non-financial benefits to our employees that include:

• 5 weeks of Annual Leave for those employed within the LSC classification stream.
• The opportunity to work alongside passionate and dedicated colleagues in a supportive workplace that is concerned about employee well-being.
• Generous salary sacrifice benefits through Smart Salary (as outlined above).
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Payment of Practising Certificate for legal staff.
• Payment of relevant Professional memberships.
• Support for employees and their family through our inclusive Employee Assistance Program.
• Supported training and development opportunities in areas including working with vulnerable clients, cultural sensitivity and trauma informed practice.
• Access to a comprehensive in-house legal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program.
• Contemporary workplace accommodation.
• Career development opportunities within the team and the organisation.
• Payment of employment screening checks.
• Access to Fitness Passport: a workplace health and fitness program that give you and your family access to wide choice of gyms and pools across South Australia.

Next Steps

To apply for this role, you will need to click on the Apply now button. Have your resume, preferably in a PDF version ready to be attached and a cover letter. All applications are to be submitted by 15/11/2026 at 11:59 PM.

Should you require any further information please direct your query to Leah Annese, Manager Duty Lawyers on (08) 8111 5773

Please refer to the position description for more detail.

We welcome applications from everyone. We are an inclusive employer, and support diversity and inclusion by recognising our staff for their unique qualities, ideas, and insights.

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.