FLAC/PILA is recruiting a Legal Officer (Maternity Cover) - deadline 6 June 2023

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 Impact 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.
• 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. 

Closing dates for receipt of applications is 6^th June 2023.  A CV and covering letter should be sent to recruitment@flac.ie. FLAC is an equal opportunities employer.

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.