family lawyer job description

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.

who are your colleagues?

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.

advantages of finding a family lawyer job through randstad

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.

what is an example of family law?

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.

what do you need to become a family lawyer in Australia?

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.

how much does a family lawyer make in Australia?

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.

is working as a family lawyer a good career?

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.

what makes a good family lawyer?

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.

how do I apply for a family lawyer vacancy?

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 .

family lawyer

what is a family lawyer?

As a family lawyer, you specialise in family law, a type of civil law that handles issues related to relationships and families. You represent your client during the dissolution of marriage and handle issues related to the marriage, like child custody, child support and the division of assets. You negotiate terms for dissolving the marriage and represent your client before a judge.

Aside from handling marriage and civil partnership issues, you also help parents adopt children or give a child up for adoption. In the adoption process, you help pass on the legal rights of the children to the adoptive parents and ensure informed consent for the adoption has been given.

Since family law involves sensitive issues, emotions are usually high. As a family lawyer, you empathise with your clients and offer emotional support to help them through the court proceedings. Some clients are usually devastated during the divorce process and make irrational decisions. It is your job to protect their rights and ensure they get a fair settlement in property division and favourable terms in child custody.

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average family lawyer salary

The average remuneration package of a family lawyer in Australia is $110,000 per year. In a junior-level position, you start with a salary of $100,000 per year. With extensive experience, your earnings increase gradually, and you can make over $120,000 annually.

what factors affect the salary of a family lawyer?

As a family lawyer, your earnings depend on experience and qualifications. When you work under the supervision of an experienced lawyer, you are likely to start with an entry-level salary. If you have a licence and are a member of the Australian Bar Association, you earn a higher remuneration package. When you have a few years of experience, you have the expertise to negotiate a higher remuneration.

The duties and responsibilities in the role also influence your earnings. When you handle divorce settlements with property division, the additional tasks associated with them increase your earnings. Clients with substantial assets require valuations for the properties before division.

Demand for family lawyers in metro areas also improves your salary prospects. In a smaller city, you handle fewer cases, and the low demand for family lawyers significantly reduces your earnings.

Want to know what you will earn as a family lawyer? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.

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types of family lawyers

As a family lawyer, you can specialise in specific family-related matters. For instance, some family lawyers handle marriage and civil partnerships. Your job is to register a civil partnership or prepare a binding pre-civil partnership or financial agreement before marriage. You also represent your client in Federal Circuit Court proceedings.

During dissolution of marriage, you represent one of the partners in the court proceedings associated with divorce. You handle child custody issues by representing the child to ensure their rights are protected. Divorce also brings about the division of property, and it is your job to ensure your client receives a fair share of the property.

Some family lawyers focus on the adoption process. In adoption, the biological parents relinquish their legal rights to the adoptive parents. You assist with legally terminating parental rights and ensuring all the adoption documents are accurate.

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working as a family lawyer

Curious about being a family lawyer? Here’s a breakdown of the duties, responsibilities and work environments associated with the role

family lawyer job description
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.
work environment

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.
who are your colleagues?

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.
work schedule

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.
job outlook

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.
advantages of finding a family lawyer job through randstad
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.

4

education and skills

To become a family lawyer, start with a bachelor of law degree. If you have an undergraduate degree in a different field, get a Juris Doctor postgraduate degree to gain legal knowledge. After the degree course, complete the Practical Legal Training (PLT) within three months to get a practising certificate from your local law society. For instance, in New South Wales, you can gain admission by applying to the Legal Profession Admission Board and joining the Law Society of New South Wales.

When you have a Practising Certificate, you should practise law for 24 months under the supervision of an experienced lawyer. While it’s not compulsory to work at a family law firm, it will improve your expertise in family law.

family lawyer skills and competencies

Family lawyers require the following skills and traits to excel in the role:

mediation: as a family lawyer, you are the neutral third party in divorce and custody battles. You require mediation skills to deal with emotionally charged situations and facilitate amicable resolutions. With a balance of empathy and legal acumen, you can preserve relationships while steering the legal process to be more collaborative.
legal research: as a family lawyer, you prepare arguments and provide legal advice to clients. Before you go to court, you gather and analyse case laws, review your client’s case, and find legal precedents and statutes to create compelling arguments for court. Legal research also helps you develop strategies that improve your client's best interests.
communication skills: as a family lawyer, you need excellent communication skills to speak with clients, negotiate settlements and argue cases in court. Aside from verbal communication, your written communication should be exceptional in preparing legal documents.
emotional intelligence: as a family lawyer, you handle marriage, divorce and sensitive custody issues. You require empathy to handle emotional issues that arise during cases. It is also important to provide emotional support to your clients throughout the legal process.

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FAQs about working as a family lawyer

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a family lawyer.

what is an example of family law?

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.
what do you need to become a family lawyer in Australia?

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.
how much does a family lawyer make in Australia?

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.
is working as a family lawyer a good career?

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.
what makes a good family lawyer?

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.
how do I apply for a family lawyer vacancy?

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.

family lawyer.