family lawyer.

Some of the duties and responsibilities of family lawyers include:

• providing legal advice: as a family lawyer, you offer legal advice on family matters. When a client asks questions about a legal matter, you advise them on how to resolve the issue. You also help your clients understand and interpret complex family laws by explaining the laws to them in a simple manner.
• representing clients in court: as a family lawyer, you represent clients in court proceedings. Whether it is the review of a pre-civil partnership agreement or through adoption, you are the voice of your client. As a representative of your client, you draft and submit court documents within the stipulated times. You also present evidence, make arguments before a judge, and question witnesses when presenting the facts of the case.
• negotiating settlements: many family cases are settled out of court or in arbitration. As a family lawyer, you negotiate on behalf of your clients to reach a reasonable agreement. When both parties reach a satisfactory agreement, you draft the settlement documents and agreements to protect your client’s rights.
• mediating family disputes: as a family lawyer, you can mediate disputes and reach a resolution without going to court. You serve as a neutral third party and steer the parties to reach an agreement.
• providing emotional support: as a family lawyer, you offer emotional support to clients throughout the legal battle. You become a close confidant and a listener and provide counselling throughout the divorce process while maintaining professionalism.

Family lawyers work in law firms, from small boutique firms to multi-national organisations. That means you interact with clients from different backgrounds, cultures and professions. Whether you are providing legal advice to a mining worker or a business executive, you are expected to provide the best legal advice. You spend most of the work day at the office reviewing cases and drafting legal documents for your clients. Sometimes, you visit clients in their workplace or at home. Some family lawyers work for government agencies to represent clients in public cases related to family issues. You may also work for a non-profit organisation that offers adoption services. While most family lawyers work from a physical office, you can also work remotely.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants. You might also be working in close proximity to legal secretaries and social workers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, case managers, office managers and legal counsel.

The typical work schedule of a family lawyer is from Monday to Friday during traditional business hours. As a family lawyer, you work an average of 40 hours per week. Sometimes, you work evenings to handle last-minute issues affecting your cases. While most family lawyers work full-time schedules, you will also find part-time opportunities.

Working as a family lawyer is a promising career with a projected job growth rate of 20% in the next five years. As a family lawyer, you can be the head of family law in your law firm or find managerial positions in non-governmental organisations dealing with family and children's rights.

Finding your family lawyer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
 

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a family lawyer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

The family law jurisdiction in Australia covers issues related to marriage and children. It handles applications for divorce, property and financial disputes, application for spousal maintenance and parenting orders. Family law courts in Australia also handle the determination of parentage and detention of a child.

Complete a bachelor’s degree in law or a Juris Doctor postgraduate to become a lawyer. When you complete the PLT training, you can apply for a practising certificate at your state law society. You should practise under supervision for two years to become a member of the Australian Bar Association.

As a family lawyer, you take home an average salary of $110,000 per year. Your remuneration package fluctuates with experience and educational qualifications. You start with a salary of $100,000 per year, but with experience, you can make over $120,000 annually.

Working as a family lawyer is a great career with promising job opportunities. Aside from the high demand for family lawyers, you can work for non-governmental organisations and adoption agencies to assist parents through the adoption process and other family issues.

A good family lawyer must have exceptional communication skills in order to present arguments in court and provide legal advice. Good mediation skills are also useful when dealing with emotionally charged divorce settlements.

Applying for a family lawyer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.