Senior Paralegal / Legal Practice Coordinator – Criminal Law

Full-Time | Bundall, Gold Coast

Smith Cambridge Lawyers is a boutique criminal law firm based in Bundall on the Gold Coast.

We are looking for a highly capable Senior Paralegal / Legal Practice Coordinator to work directly with the Principal in a full-time position.

This is a key role within the firm.

We are looking for someone who understands criminal law, understands clients and understands how a legal practice needs to operate.

If you have worked in criminal law and have developed strong practice-management, file-management or senior legal support experience, this is an opportunity to take on a genuinely important role within a growing legal practice.

This isn't just another legal secretary position.

You will work directly with the Principal and become a trusted part of the day-to-day operation of the practice.

You will have significant involvement in:

Criminal law matters from intake through to finalisation

Client communication and client management

Court and matter preparation

File management and workflow

Legal administration and practice systems

Diary and deadline management

Brief and evidence preparation

Correspondence and document preparation

Billing and accounts processes

Liaising with courts, counsel, prosecutors and other stakeholders

Improving systems and processes within the practice

The successful candidate will be someone who can see what needs to be done and make it happen.

Your responsibilities

Working closely with the Principal, you will be responsible for a broad range of legal and practice-management functions, including:

Criminal law

Managing and assisting with criminal law files

Reviewing briefs of evidence and organising case materials

Preparing court documentation and matter materials

Preparing chronologies, instructions and correspondence

Assisting with court preparation

Monitoring court dates, filing deadlines and critical dates

Liaising with clients regarding their matters

Liaising with courts, counsel, police and other legal professionals

Assisting the Principal with preparation for mentions, pleas, bail applications, hearings and trials

Maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic files

Practice management

Assisting the Principal with the efficient running of the practice

Managing workflows and ensuring important tasks are followed through

Improving and maintaining office systems and procedures

Monitoring outstanding tasks and deadlines

Assisting with billing, invoicing, trust/accounting processes and debtor follow-up

Coordinating appointments, conferences and court commitments

Assisting with client intake and onboarding

Maintaining high standards of file compliance and organisation

Supporting the implementation of technology and practice-management systems

Identifying inefficiencies and taking the initiative to improve them

Helping ensure the practice operates professionally and efficiently every day

Working with the Principal

This is one of the major advantages of the position.

You will work directly alongside the Principal, rather than being several levels removed from decision-making.

You will gain an understanding of:

How criminal matters are assessed and strategically managed

How clients are managed in difficult and high-pressure circumstances

How cases are prepared for court

How a specialist criminal practice operates

How a legal practice can be made more efficient and profitable

How systems, workflow and client service can be improved

What we're looking for

We are specifically seeking someone with previous experience in criminal law and legal practice.

Ideally, you will have:

Several years' experience working in a legal practice

Demonstrated experience in criminal law

Strong legal secretarial or paralegal skills

Experience managing criminal-law files

Experience dealing directly with clients

Excellent knowledge of court processes and legal documentation

Strong organisational and time-management skills

Experience with practice-management systems

Experience with billing, trust accounting or general legal accounts processes

An understanding of file compliance and legal practice procedures

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Exceptional attention to detail

The ability to work calmly under pressure

Strong computer and technology skills

A proactive and solutions-focused approach

Practice-management experience will be highly regarded.

If you have previously worked as a senior legal secretary, paralegal, legal practice manager, practice administrator, legal executive or similar, we would particularly like to hear from you.

The person we're looking for

We're not looking for someone who needs to be told what to do every five minutes.

We're looking for someone who is one step ahead.

Someone who notices that a court date is approaching.

Someone who sees that a client needs to be contacted.

Someone who knows a file isn't ready and fixes it.

Someone who can identify a problem in the practice and suggest a better way of doing things.

Someone who takes ownership.

In short, we're looking for someone who can become the Principal's trusted second-in-command for the day-to-day operation of the practice.

Why Smith Cambridge Lawyers?

Work closely with the Principal.

You will have direct access to the person making the decisions.

Work in a boutique criminal practice.

You will develop genuine expertise rather than being spread across unrelated areas of law.

Have meaningful responsibility.

Your work will directly affect the way the practice operates and the service our clients receive.

Have variety.

No two days are likely to be the same. You will be involved in clients, files, courts, administration, systems and practice management.

Be valued for your experience.

We are looking for someone who can bring experience and initiative to the role — not simply someone who can follow instructions.

Build something.

Smith Cambridge is a growing criminal law practice. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help improve systems, processes and the way the practice operates.

What we offer

Full-time position in Bundall

Direct access to and mentoring from the Principal

Genuine responsibility and autonomy

Varied and interesting work

Opportunity to develop your legal and practice-management skills

Opportunity to have a meaningful influence on the firm's operations

Professional and supportive working environment

Competitive remuneration based on experience

Long-term career opportunity for the right person

Remuneration

$75,000–$90,000 + superannuation, depending on experience

Exceptional candidates with substantial criminal-law and practice-management experience may be considered at a higher level.

The ideal candidate

You may currently be working as a:

Senior Legal Secretary

Senior Paralegal

Legal Practice Manager

Practice Administrator

Legal Executive

Criminal Law Paralegal

Senior Legal Assistant

If you have criminal-law experience + strong organisational ability + practice-management experience, we want to hear from you.

Apply now

Please provide:

1. Your CV

2. A cover letter outlining your criminal-law experience

3. Details of your practice-management / legal administration experience

4. Your current salary expectations

Applications should demonstrate why you believe you would be an excellent fit for a role working directly with the Principal.

This is an opportunity for the right person to become an integral part of a specialist criminal law practice.

If you are experienced, proactive, organised and ready to take ownership, we want to hear from you.

Smith Cambridge Lawyers
Bundall | Gold Coast