Community Solicitor

Law Society; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 63,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A community law centre in Dublin is seeking a Community Solicitor to provide vital legal advice and representation. You will oversee legal services, engage with the community through outreach clinics, and ensure compliance with legal standards. Ideal candidates will be qualified solicitors with experience in various legal matters, particularly in supporting disadvantaged individuals. This role offers competitive salary and opportunities for professional development in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Annual leave of 28 days

Pension scheme after one year

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' experience handling legal matters.
• Experience advocating before judicial fora.
• Knowledge of legal issues affecting disadvantaged communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to individuals and community groups.
• Manage a caseload of legal representative casework.
• Supervise legal support staff and interns.

Skills

Communication skills

Legal advocacy

Interpersonal skills

Professionalism

Leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Qualified solicitor holding a current practising certificate

Post-qualification experience in an Irish context

Job description

Ballymun Community Law Centre

Ballymun Community Law Centre was established in 2002 to tackle unmet legal need in Ballymun. The Law Centre provides legal advice, representation, legal education, and Alternative Dispute Resolution services to the community. They aim to empower individuals to achieve equality and realise their human rights through increased access to the law. Their legal focus is on areas of unmet legal need in Ballymun. For example, they provide legal advice services in the areas of housing, employment, social welfare, and equality related issues. Working with Ballymun Community Law Centre means using your legal expertise to create meaningful change.

Every day, they support individuals who are facing issues relating to housing, employment, social welfare, equality and more. In this role you will play a key role in the community by empowering individuals to understand their rights and advocate for themselves, or where necessary opening a case file and representing someone. By increasing access to justice, they help people secure their rights and build a fairer, more empowered community.

This is a role where your work will have a real and lasting social impact. You’ll join a small, collaborative, and highly supportive team where learning, shared problem-solving, and mutual respect are central to how they work. Ballymun Community Law Centre value open communication and offer a welcoming environment where everyone’s contribution is recognised.

The Role

The Community Solicitor plays a central role in delivering Ballymun Community Law Centre mission of increasing access to justice. The successful candidate will provide legal advice and information to clients on a wide range of issues and undertake legal casework. They will provide outreach clinics, deliver information talks, and attend community events.

This role offers a high level of professional autonomy. The Community Solicitor will oversee the Law Centre’s legal services, shape strategic and policy priorities and guide casework strategy.

The Community Solicitor will report to the Manager of the Law Centre while working in accordance with the provisions of S.I. No. 103/2006 - The Solicitors Acts, 1954 to 2002 (Independent Law Centres) Regulations, 2006. They will have overall professional responsibility for the running of the legal service and its day‑to‑day operations.

They will work with part time, voluntary, Solicitor and the Legal Services subcommittee of the Board to ensure that services are delivered in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and best practice. Ballymun Community Law Centre is committed to supporting professional development.

The role includes opportunities for ongoing training, skills development, leadership experience, and engagement with diverse areas of law affecting the community. Staff are encouraged to grow their expertise and pursue areas of professional interest.

Key Information

• Job Title: Community Solicitor – Contract (open‑ended contract)
• Location: This is a community role based in the Law Centre’s office in Ballymun. The work is primarily in the office; limited hybrid approach with one day per week work from home is possible.
• Hours of Work: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Flexibility and reduced hours are welcomed.
• Salary: €63,000 per annum, increasing to €65,000 after 12 months in post.
• Annual Leave: 28 days per annum, inclusive of 3 days during the organisation’s Christmas closure period.
• Probationary Period: Six months.
• Pension Contribution: After one year’s service, employees are eligible to join the organisation’s pension scheme, with a 7% employer contribution subject to a minimum 5% employee contribution.
• Closing Date: The application process is rolling; the latest date for applications is 20 January 2026, although the post may be filled earlier.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and information on a range of areas to individuals and community groups.
• Deliver drop‑in legal outreach clinics in the community.
• Manage a caseload of legal representative casework.
• Oversee the provision of legal services in the Law Centre to ensure that services are delivered competently and professionally, and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with counsel offering pro‑bono time.
• Supervise the work of legal support staff, interns, or volunteers as necessary.
• Support and develop the team in line with the ethos of Ballymun Community Law Centre.
• Oversee the legal case management system.
• Ensure that legal and other professional obligations of the Law Centre (e.g., insurance, Law Society reporting) are fulfilled.
• Ensure that the Legal Services meet the requirements of the LQSI Q3000 standard and oversee the annual LQSI audit.
• Report on outcomes and impact using statistics and, where appropriate, case studies.
• Work as part of a team to ensure that high standards are developed and maintained in office policies, procedures and case management and ensure that services are delivered in a way that meets the needs of clients.
• Collaborate with management and the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategies for achieving the Law Centre’s strategic goals.
• Actively manage relationships with key stakeholders. Perform other tasks or duties necessary to assist in the carrying out of the work of the Law Centre as directed by the Manager or Board.

Person specification

• Qualified solicitor holding a current practising certificate from the Law Society of Ireland.
• Post‑qualification experience in an Irish context, ideally a minimum of two years.
• Experience handling a variety of legal and policy matters.
• Experience advocating before quasi‑judicial fora, e.g., WRC, RTB, or the District Court.
• Demonstrable interest or commitment to helping disadvantaged people and using law to advocate on their behalf.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to command the confidence of funders, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Professional attitude with the ability to work under pressure and to act on one’s own initiative.
• Experience working within the not‑for‑profit/Community/Voluntary sector.
• Knowledge of legal issues affecting socio‑economically disadvantaged communities and specifically the issues affecting Ballymun.
• Experience delivering training.
• Legal expertise in an area of law relevant to Ballymun Community Law Centre, e.g., employment, family, housing, social welfare or equality.

More Information

If you would like to have a confidential conversation about the role prior to applying, please contact Claire McSweeney, Ballymun Community Law Centre’s Manager, at [e-mail] to arrange a call.

Application Process

To apply please send a CV along with a cover letter outlining how you fit the person specification for the role (as two attachments) to [e-mail]. This is a rolling process; we encourage early applications. The latest date for applications is 20 January 2026, although the post may be filled earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.

Ballymun Community Law Centre may arrange a phone call with applicants to discuss the role as part of the shortlisting process. If unsuccessful in your application, your information will be securely destroyed one year after you have been advised of the outcome of the application.