Solicitor Advocate Family V

• Salary range $154,403-157,430 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading
• 3 Full-time roles, temporary up to 3 years (including 1 Aboriginal targeted role here)
• Work from your closest Legal Aid NSW office subject to approval. Travel required. 

About us

Legal Aid NSW delivers accessible legal services across criminal, family and civil law. We provide advice, court representation, and family dispute resolution through 28 offices and phone-based support, helping people navigate the legal system with confidence and fairness.  

About the role

“Focused advocacy work, designed to build confidence and craft in a supportive environment.”

As a Solicitor Advocate (Grade V) in our Family Law Division, you will appear in family law and care and protection matters, managing less complex proceedings and shorter hearings. The role offers meaningful, hands-on courtroom experience within a supportive and experienced advocacy team.

This is a unique career pathway at Legal Aid NSW and the Grade V Advocate role is ideal for solicitors seeking to further develop their courtroom and advocacy skills s. The skills and experience gained in this role also provide a strong foundation for future career progression, including a potential transition to the Bar, if desired.

The roles are predominantly court and office based with flexibility to work from your closest Legal Aid NSW office, and access other flexible work arrangements subject to approval under our flexible working policy. The role includes travel as required to courts and tribunals, including overnight stays. All travel and accommodation costs are covered, offering variety, professional growth and connection with communities across NSW.

If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, we strongly encourage you to apply for all 3 roles. However, for administrative purpose, we request that you submit your application here.

Which role is right for you?

We are advertising Solicitor Advocate Grade V and VI roles concurrently. The roles differ in complexity of matters and hearing length, but share the same values, purpose and commitment to advocacy excellence. Applicants are encouraged to apply for both roles or the one that best aligns with their experience. Apply for the Grade VI role (Job Ref 80820) till 28 April 2026 here: link.

About you

“You bring preparation, ethics and curiosity — and want to develop your voice as an advocate.”

You are a capable and motivated family law practitioner with a strong interest in courtroom advocacy, particularly in family law and care and protection matters. You bring sound legal judgment, careful preparation and a commitment to ethical, high-quality practice. You value guidance from experienced advocates, are willing to share insights with colleagues, and contribute to a team culture focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for children and families.

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.

For application support (including accessing information or require the application in an alternate format) or recruitment adjustments please contact the Talent Acquisition Team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au or 02 9134 9347.

To learn more about Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments please visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW.

Other benefits of working with us

• You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.
• We are an accredited Flex Ready and Carers and Employers 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
• Find out more at Working at Legal Aid NSW 

The essential requirements for this role

You must:

• be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
• have or be eligible to obtain an unrestricted NSW Practising Certificate.
• be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check
• hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies)
• Be a registered practitioner of the High Court of Australia as per the provisions of Section 55B of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth)
• Have capacity and willingness to travel as required by the role

It is a statutory obligation for staff to hold a valid Working with Children Check for all legal roles within the Family Law Division. You will be required to provide your Working with Children Check details prior to commencement.

How to apply

You must submit your application online. Applications received late or by email, will not be accepted. Please make sure your application is complete, and that you have answered all questions before submitting.

Your application must include:

• your resume (no more than 5 pages)
• cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please address the below target questions:

1. Describe your experience, and the skills you demonstrate, as a solicitor appearing in family law and care and protection matters in courts and tribunals.

2. As a solicitor advocate, how would you support and build the capability and confidence of staff running litigation files in the family law division of Legal Aid NSW?

You must clearly label your responses to each Target Question, for example, by using headings such as Target Question 1 and Target Question 2. Cover Letters that do not clearly label responses may be considered as not having addressed the Target Questions.    

We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.

Do you need help to apply?

If you have questions about the role, you can reach out to Sally Cole, Solicitor in Charge VI Family Property Projects, sally.cole@legalaid.nsw.gov.au or (02) 9407 2926.

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

The Role Description sets out the responsibilities and Focus Capabilities 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 is a great NSW Government resource for helping you prepare your application.

Closing Date: Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 11.59pm