Senior Criminal Lawyer

Location: Darwin

Employment Type: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

About Our Client

Our client is a leading legal organisation dedicated to providing legal assistance and justice services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Northern Territory. With multiple offices throughout the region, they are recognised for their commitment to delivering high-quality legal representation while driving long-term change through law reform, advocacy, and community education.

Their team is passionate about improving access to justice, strengthening communities, and addressing systemic inequalities within the criminal justice system.

What's on Offer

• 6 weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading
• 3 weeks personal leave and additional employee benefits
• Salary packaging options
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• A collaborative and supportive team environment

About The Role

This is an opportunity to use your legal expertise where it matters most.

As a Senior Criminal Lawyer, you will provide high-quality legal representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients across a broad range of criminal matters while helping address the systemic issues contributing to overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.

Working as part of a committed and culturally diverse legal team, you'll appear in the Local and Supreme Courts, mentor junior lawyers, contribute to law reform initiatives, and help deliver justice to some of the Northern Territory's most vulnerable communities.

No two days are the same, with opportunities to travel to regional and remote communities and make a genuine difference through meaningful advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent clients in the Local and Supreme Courts, including bail applications, committals, trials and appeals.
• Conduct complex criminal matters, including trials, committals, appeals and bail applications.
• Deliver high-quality legal advice on complex criminal law matters.
• Mentor and support junior lawyers while contributing to the professional development of the legal team.
• Participate in after-hours custody phone and duty lawyer services as required.
• Contribute to law reform, policy development and community legal education initiatives.
• Travel to circuit (bush) courts to ensure access to justice for remote communities.
• Contribute to strategic litigation and initiatives that address systemic disadvantage.
• Work collaboratively with legal, client service and administrative staff to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
• Uphold the organisation's values of excellence, respect, accountability, courage and innovation.

About You

We're looking for an experienced criminal lawyer who is passionate about advocacy and committed to improving access to justice.

You Will Bring

• Admission (or eligibility for admission) as a legal practitioner in the Northern Territory.
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues contributing to the disproportionate involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system.
• Proven experience in criminal law advocacy, including trial and appellate work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Willingness to travel to remote communities across the Northern Territory.
• A current driver's licence and the ability to obtain a Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card).

Why Join Our Client?

This is more than just a legal role-it's an opportunity to create meaningful and lasting change.

Every day, you'll stand alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at some of the most important moments in their lives. Your advocacy will not only influence individual cases but also contribute to fairer outcomes, stronger communities, and meaningful reform within the justice system.

If you're looking for a rewarding legal career where your work has real purpose and impact, we'd love to hear from you.