PILA is recruiting a Legal Officer – deadline 24 October 2018

26 September 2018

Title:                          Legal Officer

Reports to:               PILA & Strategic Development Manager

Working hours:        Full-time

Overview

FLAC, the Free Legal Advice Centres, is a human rights organisation which exists to promote equal access to justice for all.

In 2009, FLAC established the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA) as a public interest law network that seeks to engage the legal community and civil society in using the law to advance social change. PILA is a project of FLAC.

PILA:

• operates a Pro Bono Referral Scheme which matches expertise in the legal profession with specific legal needs in social justice NGOs, community groups and law centres;
• increases the capacity of organisations to use law in the public interest through legal education, law reform and litigation;
• promotes a culture of structured pro bono legal work which provides lawyers with opportunities to use their legal skills in the public interest;
• raises awareness about the barriers to public interest litigation and works to remove them;
• reaches out to law schools and law students to ensure that public interest law and clinical legal education become central components of the curriculum; and
• uses its website, fortnightly PILA bulletin and events to raise awareness about public interest law in Ireland and internationally.

For more information see www.flac.ie and www.pila.ie.

Legal Officer

FLAC is seeking a dynamic individual to play a key role in operating PILA’s Pro Bono Referral Scheme and raising awareness on public interest law issues.

Pro Bono Referral Scheme:

• Work closely with new and existing NGOs, community groups and independent law centres to develop membership and identify unmet legal need.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with the legal profession to support provision of pro bono legal assistance.
• Deliver high quality pro bono referrals from start to finish, including scoping and structuring pro bono requests, placing referrals with the right legal expertise and providing on-going support.
• Identify and pursue strategic litigation opportunities that advance law in the public interest.
• Support the development and implementation of Signature Projects with partner law firms.
• Identify and facilitate new and existing Law Reform Working Groups.
• Plan and organise Legal Education Sessions for partner NGOs.

Barriers to Public Interest Litigation:

• Actively participate in raising awareness and seeking address of barriers to public interest litigation.
• Conduct research and assist in the formulation of policy on barriers to public interest litigation.
• Develop materials and resources on barriers to public interest litigation.

Events and communications

• Design and host seminars, roundtables and events targeting key themes for NGOs, lawyers and law students.
• Assist with the preparation and editing of the fortnightly PILA Bulletin.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will have:

• A degree in law or a related field.
• Experience as a solicitor or barrister is desirable.
• Minimum 3 years relevant work experience, preferably in a legal or NGO environment.
• A self-starter with a strong work ethic and a passion for social justice.
• Proven ability to form and maintain diverse strategic relationships.
• Excellent people skills, including organising and networking.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including research and writing.
• Strong knowledge of access to justice issues, public interest law and human rights.

Salary is commensurate with experience. 

The closing date has been extended to 5pm 24 October 2018. A CV and covering letter should be sent to recruitment@flac.ie. FLAC is an equal opportunities employer.