Senior Solicitor

Job Description

Who we are:

We began in back in 2020, as in idea, to advocate for truck drivers and operators across Australia who suffer from some of the most oppressive enforcement imaginable. In 2021, Highway Advocates Pty Ltd, an Incorporated legal practice was born. Whilst we deal with all traffic offences across Eastern Australia and South Australia, we have a specific focus on heavy vehicle drivers and operators subject to the Heavy Vehicle National Law and other relevant road transport legislation. We are also branching out to assist tow truck drivers, who are also bound by legislation that is often misinterpreted by prosecuting authorities. With a Head office in Brisbane City, and offices along the east coast, our firm understands the compliance burden on drivers involved in the heavy vehicle transport industry and the inconsistencies they face as they travel across state and territory borders. The maximum penalties available and regularly imposed upon professional drivers in multiple jurisdictions would surprise most people.  As such, we are a unique criminal advocacy firm for professional drivers, operators and essentially anyone who drives for a living, consistently ranking number 1 in Google searches across a wide variety of search strings.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking an experienced senior solicitor who is:

·         Committed to meeting the needs of our clients, many of which have literacy and communication barriers.

·         Energised and motivated by legal research and writing extensive legal submissions.

·         A strong and agile negotiator, confident with dealing with multi agencies across multiple jurisdictions.

·         Innovative in addressing the day-to-day challenges in appearing across multiple jurisdictions and the different systems and protocols.

·         A confident user of information technology, able to use  LEAP and MS office with ease.

Primary Objectives:

Manage, prepare and conduct matters proceeding predominately as guilty pleas. Defended hearings as required, including the engagement and instruction of counsel.

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

·         Manage and appear in road transport matters under the HVNL and other road transport legislation.

·         Appear across multiple jurisdictions and levels of courts.

·         Deliver professional and quality written submissions in preparation for court appearances (summary hearings, call-overs and appeals), disclosure of information, legal advice and written correspondence.

·         Assist with coordinating a range of activities relating to the conduct of matters, including managing challenging caseloads to achieve satisfactory completion of individual cases in a timely manner.

·         Develop and maintain an active working knowledge of legal constraints and precedents relating to matters of law that could influence proceedings, including breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Regulations

·         Interpret and provide expert defence advice in relation to road transport legislation, including the Heavy Vehicle National Law and other relevant state-based road transport and traffic legislation.

·         Participate in sensitive and complex negotiations to facilitate the achievement of early resolution of cases.

·         Liaise with stakeholders, enforcement partners, legal practitioners and court officers regarding the conduct of prosecutions.

·         Ensure the delivery of a high standard of customer service for clients.

·         And above all, believe in the spirit of advocacy in the true sense of the word.