Background information

Community Law & Mediation (CLM) is an independent community law centre established in 1975 that works to empower individuals and families experiencing disadvantage by providing free legal, education and mediation services.   Our vision is of the full realisation of fundamental rights for all within a socially just and ecologically sustainable society.

CLM Limerick was established in 2012 to serve disadvantaged communities in Limerick and works alongside CLM’s national office based in Coolock, Dublin 18. CLM Limerick provides general advice through free legal advice clinics.  It also offers legal representation and advocacy, including representation before courts and tribunals, in areas of law not covered by the State funded civil legal aid scheme, with a particular focus on housing & homelessness, social welfare and employment & equality.  CLM Limerick makes referrals, as appropriate, to CLM’s specialised Centre for Environmental Justice and Children’s Law Service and to the CLM Mediation service. CLM Limerick also delivers community education programmes in the region and contributes to the broader policy work of CLM. 

For more details please visit www.communitylawandmediation.ie 

Role of Senior Solicitor with Community Law & Mediation 

The responsibilities of the Senior Solicitor include:

• Coordination – coordinating the Limerick service to ensure smooth day-to-day delivery of services, tracking of relevant targets and KPIs and timely management reporting to the Managing Solicitor.
• Stakeholder engagement and development of service – networking with community groups, public bodies, legal professionals and other stakeholders in Limerick and the broader Munster area to promote and develop the service.
• Staffing – line management of other legal staff in the Limerick office, including volunteers and interns as appropriate.
• Casework – providing legal advice, advocacy and representation to clients in areas of law within CLM’s remit and overseeing casework of other legal staff in the Limerick office.
• Legal clinics – delivery of legal clinics in the community as required and oversight of clinics delivered by other legal staff and volunteers on behalf of CLM Limerick.
• Community education – delivery of community education talks and courses in line with the community education programme developed by the Community Education Officer.
• Policy – inputting into policy and law reform work of CLM where relevant.
• Fundraising – assisting the head office team with relevant funding applications and preparation of timely reports on CLM Limerick’s work as required to meet funding requirements.
• Miscellaneous – Such other duties as CLM may reasonably deem necessary and/or appropriate from time to time.

Essential Requirements

• Professional qualification as a solicitor holding or eligible to hold a practising certificate
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders and a capacity to be compassionate and respectful with clients
• Ability to think strategically and identify opportunities for growth and development
• Self-motivator with ability to work under pressure and balance competing deadlines
• Management experience or relevant skills
• Litigation experience
• IT skills.

Desirable Requirements

• Three years + post qualification experience.
• Experience of judicial review/tribunal representation/human rights law.
• Experience in developing and growing a practice or service.
• Experience and/or qualification in human rights/social justice work and/or in the community and voluntary sector.