Senior Solicitor V

Senior Solicitor V 

• Ongoing & temporary opportunities
• Based in the Sydney CBD (Martin Place) with flexible working arrangements
• Opportunity to work with a team of legal professionals

Salary Classification: Legal Officer Grade V 

Salary: $144,140 - $146,966 p.a. plus Superannuation and annualised leave loading 

About the Role 

Senior Solicitor conducts complex assigned legal matters (advice, transactions, and/or litigation) and supervises Solicitors Grade IV, I-III, and legal Graduates within a specialised Practice Group to guarantee the delivery of high quality, cost-efficient, and client-centered legal services that align with the CSO's business objectives. 

Our ideal candidate has well-developed legal skills and experience in areas of law relevant to one or more of the Practice Groups in the Inquiries & Criminal Law Division, with the ability to conduct complex legal matters in alignment with client instructions, tender requirements, and legislative standards while adhering to CSO policies and guidelines for first-rate legal advice and representation. Supervision of legal matters is crucial to ensure client service standards are maintained as per CSO policies and procedures. Senior Solicitor must be able to undertake legal matters of significance to the State while balancing the supervision of staff in the conduct of their legal matters and keeping abreast of current developments in the areas of law in which the relevant Practice Group specialises. 

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 and extensions of the status of forensic patients, reviews of conviction and sentence, applications for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, advice and litigation in relation to contempt of court, appearances before the Mental Health Review Tribunal, 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 and forensic patient 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 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.

From this recruitment candidates may also be placed with the legal team assisting the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding. This role would involve working with a team of other legal professionals assisting the Commissioner, Richard Beasley SC, conduct hearings and liaise with stakeholders ahead of the Inquiry’s reporting date on 26 March 2025. Successful candidates could expect to be involved in the preparations for and instruct Counsel Assisting at public hearings of the Inquiry, participate in site visits to healthcare facilities within NSW, and liaise with a diverse range of organisations and community members. A willingness to work collaboratively with a team, strong communications skills and interest in Inquiries or Royal Commissions practice will be helpful. Some travel to regional and remote communities may also be required as part of the work of the Inquiry.

Essential requirements 

• Completion of a law degree from an accredited law school or completion of the Legal Practitioners Admission Board’s Diploma in Law Course. 
• Admission or eligibility for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW. 
• Undertake Criminal Record Check and appropriate Security Vetting. 
• Travel for regional or interstate court and other commitments subject to the application of any discrimination legislation (including in respect of carer’s responsibilities). 

Successful candidates will be required to have a current practicing certificate with Condition 2 removed to allow for the supervision of a legal practice as required by the Law Society of NSW.  

 For more information about this role, please click here. 

This recruitment will be used to fill immediate ongoing and temporary vacancies in various Practice Groups within the Inquiries & Criminal Law Division. You can find more information about our expertise here. 

Inquiries & Criminal Law Division 

• Inquiries Practice 
• Terrorism & High Risk Offenders 
• Regulatory & Environment 
• Public Safety & Justice 
• Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding   

How to apply: 

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

• an updated resume and
• a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the 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 Justyna Wieczorek, Talent Acquisition Partner on 0400 549 700 or email justyna.wieczorek@cso.nsw.gov.au to discuss your requirements.  

A recruitment pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles for this role or similar roles that may become available over the next 18 months.

Closing date: Sunday, 19 May 2024 (AEST 7:59PM)    

Recruitment enquiries: Justyna Wieczorek, People & Culture Partner, justyna.wieczorek@cso.nsw.gov.au 

Why work for CSO?  

The NSW Crown Solicitors Office (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, click here.  

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 + 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 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 & 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 an annual Flu Vaccination program

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

CSO's commitment to diversity

At 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, the LGBTQIA+ community, culturally and linguistically diverse people, veterans and other diverse communities.