Casual Academic Talent Pool - Law - PLT

At UNSW PLT, our commitment to learning as an interactive process ensures our graduates acquire the knowledge and skills for success in pursuing a full range of opportunities, from commercial legal practice to community law centres, to running a start-up or working in the justice or law enforcement system, to roles in government or international organisations, developing law reform or public policy.

Law graduates who intend to seek admission to the legal profession must complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program. Our UNSW PLT program provides a unique opportunity to study in an engaging and supportive environment as students transition from law student to legal professional. UNSW’s distinctive, practice ready PLT program develops practical skills and proficiency in the day-to-day practice of law through an innovative course design that surpasses entry-level professional competency standards. Our UNSW PLT program is made up of coursework (an immersive week and online coursework) and workplace experience, where students transform their knowledge and skills into real-life practice in a law or law-related work environment, under the supervision of a practising lawyer. UNSW PLT program graduates are awarded a Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice (GDLPP) qualification.

About the role

Our academics are engaged in teaching across this program, but our students are also exposed to diverse methods of teaching and learning from our casual Teaching Fellows, who include leading judges, legal practitioners and policy officers. Teaching Fellows are an important and valued part of teaching delivery at UNSW Law & Justice.  We are looking for professionals conversant with and passionate about the law to join our experienced Teaching Fellow community.

UNSW Law and Justice is seeking expressions of interest from qualified individuals for casual teaching opportunities.

We are particularly looking for people with an interest in participatory teaching methods and inculcating in students an appreciation of the connection between law and justice.

Selection criteria

• Substantive knowledge and background in legal practice in New South Wales
• An understanding of the evolving context of legal practice and best practice management
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Sound time management skills with demonstrated ability to multi-task and achieve priorities within tight timelines
• Awareness of (or interest in) online educational technologies
• People management skills
• Commitment to equity and diversity principles in line with UNSW

Essential qualifications

• An accredited academic qualification in law (e.g. Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree) and eligibility to practise as a lawyer in an Australian jurisdiction
• At least 5 years’ post-admission experience as a legal practitioner in New South Wales

Desirable qualifications

• A teaching qualification such as a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Education, or willingness to undertake such a qualification
• Quality experience in, and a thorough knowledge of legal practice in the practice areas included in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice.
• Experience in teaching at a University or other tertiary education institution.
• Knowledge of, and experience in the use of, learning management systems.”

Additional Information

Teaching vacancies vary from Term to Term, depending on availability of permanent staff, course offerings and student enrolments. Employment is therefore offered on a Term basis. All employment details, including the duties required, duration of employment and relevant pay rates, will be confirmed with the successful applicant(s) prior to the commencement of duty.

As an approximate guide each tutorial involves 3 hours of work per week (including 1 hour of class delivery), plus additional marking in some weeks. You may also be asked to perform marking for a final exam or assessment item, after the teaching weeks have concluded.

Pre-Employment Checks 
Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.  

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:   

• National and International Criminal history checks 

• Entitlement to work and ID checks 

• Working With Children Checks  

• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration  

• Verification of relevant qualifications 

• Verification of relevant professional membership  

• Employment history and reference checks 

• Financial responsibility assessments/checks. 

• Medical Checks and Assessments 

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

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