An opportunity has arisen for a lawyer with experience in family law (approx. 8 years PQE) to join our National Pro Bono team on a part-time basis.
About Us
Mills Oakley is a leading national law firm with a proud history spanning over 160 years. In that time, we’ve grown into a Top 5 Australian law firm by size while remaining true to our shared vision of exceptional client service with a friendly and collaborative ethos. Mutual trust and respect are at the heart of everything we do.
Mills Oakley is committed to promoting a strong pro bono culture. With the help of the National Pro Bono Team, all Mills Oakley lawyers are encouraged to source and run pro bono matters in their areas of legal expertise and receive generous pro bono budget relief throughout the year to participate. In FY25/26, Mills Oakley engaged in 32,536 hours of pro bono legal work, or 49.2 hours of pro bono per lawyer. 1059 new pro bono matters were opened across the financial year. In late 2025, we were proud to be awarded ‘Pro Bono Practice of the Year’ at the Australian Law Awards.
In addition, Mills Oakley owns and funds a national charitable community legal service called Everyday Justice. Everyday Justice provides pro bono and substantially reduced fee legal services nationally to the ‘missing middle’ - people who require legal assistance but cannot obtain Legal Aid or access the legal system without incurring substantial financial hardship. Its highest areas of demand are wills & estates, employment law, family violence and family law. Mills Oakley lawyers receive budget relief to assist the Everyday Justice team with its high caseload.
The Role
A rare opportunity has arisen for a motivated senior family lawyer with approximately 8 years Post Qualification Experience to join Mills Oakley’s National Pro Bono team as a permanent, part time (3 days per week) Senior Associate or Special Counsel in Sydney.
The chosen candidate will work with the National Pro Bono team and our ‘sister’ charitable community legal service Everyday Justice to provide pro bono and substantially reduced fee family law advice and representation to eligible clients. The chosen candidate will also help coordinate Mills Oakley’s internal pro bono program, which involves sourcing and scoping suitable pro bono legal matters, supervising pro bono legal work, running training programs to boost the firms capacity for pro bono legal work, promoting a pro bono culture across the firm and strengthening our relationships with existing community legal services and other pro bono referral sources.
The ideal candidate will work closely with Mills Oakley’s Head of Pro Bono / Seconded Principal Solicitor of Everyday Justice to provide top-quality, efficient and professional advice and representation to vulnerable members of the community in family law.
The role will be fast-paced, dynamic and varied. It will involve individual client work in a wide range of practice areas, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need of free legal services.
Who We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate will have:
- An unrestricted legal practising certificate or eligible to obtain one;
- Approximately 8 years’ Post Qualification Experience;
- Significant legal experience in family law and preferably also family violence law;
- In-depth knowledge of family law principles, procedures and regulations;
- Strong attention to detail, administrative and organisational skills;
Excellent interpersonal, communication and client interaction skills;
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- Strong experience working independently and as part of a team;
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to social justice;
- Demonstrated experience working with people who are disadvantaged and marginalised;
- Confidence to develop and maintain relationships with a broad range of stakeholders in the social justice sector;
- Strong interest in legal innovation and the use of ‘legal tech’ to improve access to justice; and
Availability to commence as soon as possible.
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What We Offer
We take a collaborative approach to your learning & development, giving you the personal attention and unique opportunities required to help you realise your full potential. We are committed to your health and well-being and offer a multitude of employee benefits including:
- Flexible working;
- Discounted health insurance;
- Employee Assistance Program;
- Discounts to gyms and studios across Australia;
- Competitive referral bonus; and
- Other amazing perks!
Early applications are strongly encouraged as each application will be assessed as it is received. All applications must include a CV and Cover Letter that outlines the applicant’s experience in family law, and be addressed to Men Nguyen, Talent Acquisition Lead and submitted online via Mills Oakley’s Careers page.
Requirements
