Job Description

Senior Solicitor - Legal Officer Grade IV - Civil Law - Statewide Talent Pool - Full-time/Part-time

Join a team that uses civil law to make a real difference in people’s lives across NSW

Candidates who meet the required standards through comparative assessment will be placed in the Legal Officer Grade IV Talent Pool. This pool may be used to fill future temporary or ongoing Grade IV opportunities that arise over the next 18 months, for roles across NSW and in specialist and regional office teams.

About Us

Legal Aid NSW exists to help people when they need it most. We support clients with a wide range of legal problems through legal advice, advocacy, minor assistance, duty services, family dispute resolution and community education.

Whether over the phone, in court, online or in one of our 25 offices and two satellite locations, we provide accessible legal help to people across NSW, particularly those facing economic, social or systemic disadvantage.

About the Role

As a Senior Solicitor within the Civil Law Division, you play a role in supporting us to meet our purpose:

“to improve the lives of people experiencing deep and persistent disadvantage or dislocation by using civil law to meet their fundamental needs”.

Our work supports individuals to resolve legal problems and assert their rights, often in collaboration with other allied professionals and services.

You will:

• Provide expert legal advice, minor assistance and casework in areas such as consumer rights, employment, mental health, human rights, housing, social security and other civil law matters.

• Run an efficient, ethical, and high performing civil law practice that aligns with Legal Aid NSW standards.

• Contribute to the leadership and strategic direction of the Civil Law Division.

• Supervise and develop staff, supporting high-quality service delivery.

• Assist clients experiencing disadvantage to navigate and overcome complex legal and nonlegal barriers.

• Comply with the Legal Aid Commission Act 1979, Legal Aid policies, practice standards, and administrative requirements.

About You

You are an experienced civil law practitioner who thrives in fast paced environments and is motivated by social justice.

You will bring:

• Strong people leadership capability, including experience supervising staff using trauma-informed principles.

• Strategic planning and reporting skills, with the ability to monitor and meet service delivery expectations.

• Deep civil law expertise and experience supporting clients with complex needs in high-volume practice settings.

• Highly developed advocacy and negotiation skills, with demonstrated experience representing clients in litigation and multiple dispute resolution forums.

• A commitment to community engagement, including working collaboratively with legal assistance sector partners, stakeholders and delivering targeted outreach to improve access to justice.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both complex civil law practice and leading others to excel.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW! 

We are committed to diversity and inclusion 

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.  

We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.   

We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you’d like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au

 Other benefits of working with us 

• You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities. 

• We are an accredited Flex Ready certified employer and are recognised as leaders in flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life. 

The essential requirements for this role 

You must: 

• be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW 

• be able to provide a current NSW Practising Certificate (unrestricted) or eligible to hold an unrestricted practising certificate  

• be willing to do a Criminal Record Check  

• hold Australian or NZ citizenship or Australian Permanent Residency   

How to apply 

You  MUST submit your application online. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted.  

Your application must include: 

• your resume (no more than 5 pages) 

• cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please respond to these two targeted questions:  

1. Describe how your legal expertise and experience managing a volume civil law practice have equipped you to deliver high-quality advice, casework, and representation for clients with complex needs. In your answer, include examples of how you apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessible communication practices when engaging with diverse and vulnerable clients.

2. Explain your approach to leadership, including how you supervise, develop, and motivate staff; plan and report on service delivery; and contribute to strategic priorities and law reform.

 Make sure your application is complete, and you have answered all questions before you submit it. 

Do you need help to apply?

It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:

• If you have questions about the role, you can contact the Hiring Manager – Kyrie Couch on (02) 5525 1634 or at  Kyrie.Couch@legalaid.nsw.gov.au   

• If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the  Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have. 

• The  sets out the responsibilities of the role. 

• The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.   

• Applying for a Role 

• Working at Legal Aid NSW 

Closing Date: Tuesday 7th April at 23:59pm