Senior Solicitor & Principal Solicitor

Senior Solicitor V and Principal Solicitor VI 

• Be part of a dynamic public sector team  

• Based in the Sydney CBD (Martin Place) with flexible working arrangements  

• Opportunity to work with a team of legal professionals providing guidance, mentoring and career growth prospects  

We are recruiting for talented Senior Solicitors and Principal Solicitors with experience in the provision of legal advice and litigation in a range of legal subject areas to join practice groups in the Inquiries and Criminal Law Division at the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO). Through this recruitment we are establishing a dynamic talent pool to fill roles now and into the future.   

Classification Grade: Senior Solicitor Grade V (LOG V) and Principal Solicitor Grade VI (LOG VI) 
Salary: LOG V $149,906 - $152,845 and LOG VI $161,034 -$164,426 p.a. base salary (superannuation and annual leave loading are paid in addition to the base salary)   

Location: Sydney CBD (Martin Place) with flexible working arrangements available 

Apply now and take your next step towards an impactful career! 

About the roles  

As a Senior Solicitor (Grade V) you will be responsible for conducting complex assigned legal matters (advice, and/or litigation) and supervising more junior solicitors within a specialised Practice Group to guarantee the delivery of high quality, cost-efficient, and client-centred legal services that align with the CSO's business objectives. 

As a Principal Solicitor (Grade VI) you will be responsible for assisting the Director in managing a specialised Practice Group, including client and stakeholder engagement and in the identification and implementation of team-wide initiatives which contribute to the achievement of the CSO’s business and people goals. You will be responsible for leading a sub-team within the Practice Group and will provide high-level advice and representation to the Crown Solicitor’s clients in a range of highly complex litigation and advice matters in which the Inquiries and Criminal Law Division specialises. 

Senior Solicitors and Principal Solicitors in the Inquiries and Criminal Law Division deliver high-quality legal advice to NSW Government agencies as well as represent NSW Government agencies in significant litigation matters before various courts and tribunals. Depending on the Practice Group in which they work, our talented solicitors provide advice and conduct litigation on diverse areas of law including (but not limited to): 

• Inquests 

• Investigatory powers 

• Royal Commissions 

• Special Commissions of Inquiry 

• High risk offender matters 

• Forensic and involuntary patient matters 

• Parole proceedings 

• Segregated and protective custody matters 

• AVO advice and proceedings 

• Applications under the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 

• Prerogative of mercy advice 

• Contempt advice and proceedings. 

• Regulatory compliance, including in the context of planning and environment  

• Regulatory prosecutions  

• Statutory interpretation advice in the environment and natural resources context 

• Criminal law, including law enforcement powers, evidence and procedure. 

Senior Solicitors and Principal Solicitors have responsibility for managing a practice, and supervising solicitors. The roles require highly developed legal skills and suitable experience which enable the provision of advice and representation in complex areas of law in which the division specialises in. 

Note: Please be advised that the interviews for these roles will take place at the beginning of February 2025. 

About the Practice Groups:  

The Inquiries Practice Group specialises in assisting and advising Coroners in coronial inquests, representing NSW government agencies before Royal Commissions, assisting at other ad hoc forms of inquiry and providing advice to agencies concerning investigatory powers. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing complex litigation and in public interest areas of practice; demonstrated ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders in the justice system, including vulnerable groups; and knowledge of inquisitorial law, criminal law, administrative law or medical law is desirable (although this is not a requirement). 

The Regulatory and Environment Practice Group conducts summary prosecutions for environmental and other regulatory offences, including under fisheries, water, electoral, child protection, health, transport, and gambling control laws. The practice group advises regulators on issues including enforcement options, criminal law and procedure, and evidence. The ideal candidate will have specialist experience in criminal law or another relevant area of law (including administrative law or environmental and planning law), demonstrated statutory construction ability, and skills in either advice writing or managing complex litigation.       

The Public Safety and Justice Practice Group conducts matters including high-risk offender post-sentence detention/supervision applications, reviews of conviction and sentence, applications for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, advice and litigation in relation to contempt of court,  acting for police in applications regarding domestic violence, and other advice work related to such matters.  The ideal candidate will have prior experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system (including the post-sentence regimes, which is desirable although not a requirement) and a flexible and adaptable approach to fast-paced litigation often involving challenging subject matter.  

The Terrorism High-Risk Offenders Practice Group advises and represents the State of NSW and its agencies in a range of terrorism related matters, including conducting large and complex proceedings for post sentence detention or supervision orders, and parole proceedings for adult and juvenile terrorist-related offenders.  The Practice Group also includes advice and representation in proceedings before the State Parole Authority, the Serious Offenders Review Council and the Mental Health Review Tribunal as well as applications in the Supreme Court regarding extensions of the status of forensic patients.  Experienced solicitors with either criminal or civil law backgrounds, with strong litigation and legal analysis skills, and the ability to work and adapt in a fast-paced collaborative environment, are encouraged to apply. 

How to apply: 

For your application to be considered, you must submit your application online and include:  

• your current resume 

• a cover letter outlining your interest in and suitability for the role, including a summary of experience relevant to this role 

The selection process may include a range of assessment techniques to assist hiring managers in determining your suitability for the role. 

You can request adjustments throughout each step of the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or alternative formats to participate in the process, please contact Margaret Ters, Talent Acquisition Partner on 0427 413 924 or email margaret.ters@cso.nsw.gov.au to further discuss. 

Closing date: Thursday, 19 December 2024 (AEST 7:59PM) 

Recruitment enquiries: Margaret Ters, Talent Acquisition Partner, margaret.ters@cso.nsw.gov.au 

Why work for the CSO? 

The CSO provides high-quality and cost-effective legal services to the NSW Government and its agencies. As a trusted legal advisor to the NSW Government, our principal role is to advise and represent agencies so that they can deliver policies, programs and projects in a lawful, effective and efficient manner. 

We act with integrity and professional independence, guided by the government sector's core values. We are focussed on providing excellent client service and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. We also provide our people with opportunities to learn, develop and adapt within an inclusive and supportive environment. 

For more information about the CSO, go to our website and follow us on LinkedIn. 

Our commitment to flexible working 

The CSO has adopted a teams-based approach to flexible working. We recognise that everyone has different needs and preferences, and our flexible work culture allows you to adapt your work routine to suit you. We’re all about flexibility, productivity and driving good client outcomes. 

We have generous leave provisions available for our employees that acknowledge individual preferences and responsibilities including: 

• up to 20 days recreation leave and up to 18 days flex leave per annum 

• 20 days purchased leave annually 

• inclusive paid parental leave provisions of up to 16 weeks (14 weeks plus 2 bonus weeks) which can be taken flexibly within the first 24 months to support the birth, adoption, altruistic surrogacy or permanent out-of-home care placement of a child 

• study time of up to 4 hours per week 

• extended leave of up to 44 days after 10 years, or up to 30.8 days after 7 years of service. 

How we support health and wellbeing 

• We offer an employee assistance program to support the wellbeing of employees in the workplace and in their personal lives, which also extends to family members. 

• Coaching services are available for people leaders and executives to learn and implement best practices to manage their team’s wellbeing. 

• We offer annual flu vaccinations. 

• We provide access to the Fitness Passport program – a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to staff and their families. 

Our commitment to diversity 

At the CSO, we believe a diverse and inclusive workforce contributes to the success of our organisation and we are committed to ensuring that our workforce reflects our diverse community. 

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, culturally and linguistically diverse people, veterans and other diverse communities.