Legal Aid ACT Reviews

may be hard to get noticed or be promoted

I have worked many jobs including very high pressure litigation practices and this is the worst role I have ever had. This may be one of the worst run legal practices I have come across. There are so many cons it is difficult to list them all. 1. The volume of work is unsustainable. 2. Management expect the senior solicitors to carry full case loads and manage an enormous number of fresh juniors. This is not possible as there are too few people of any experience to be able to do this work. 3. Complex matters are given to senior lawyers but as there are few mid-career lawyers this is on top of caseload and supervision responsibilities. 4. Only fresh juniors are hired. They burn through them with no support or training at a startling rate. 5. There is a toxic culture of silence, there is no opportunity to speak up or change things, if you do raise issues then you are given motherhood statements and token gestures. 6. Bullying, particularly of women and junior staff is not taken seriously. 7. There is favouritism in promotion, people are not given roles or promoted on merit. 9. The turnover is so high that it is impossible to do anything long term or properly train anyone up. 10. The entire organisation launches from crisis to crisis. 11. There is almost no leadership to speak of and no-one takes any responsibility for decisions or actions. If you are a female or non-binary person stay away. If you are a junior you will have no support. But if you want to be worked into the ground with no resources or clear organisational plan than this is the place for you!