National Leader - Office of General Counsel

Australian Attorney-General's Department; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15.4% superannuation

Job summary

Australian Government Solicitor seeks a National Leader to head the Office of General Counsel (OGC) practice group and advise the Commonwealth across public law. This Senior Executive Service role requires strategic leadership and managing a nationwide legal team.

The successful candidate will work with the AGS senior leadership, guide high-profile government matters, and contribute to national security legalwork across Australia.

Qualifications

• Exceptional legal and analytical skills with substantial public law expertise.
• Senior executive, partner-level or equivalent experience advising on complex legal issues for government.
• Ability to provide strategic, practical and authoritative advice to the highest levels of government.

Responsibilities

• Lead a national practice group of over 110 lawyers located across Australia.
• Advise on high-profile, sensitive and complex legal matters for government.
• Provide professional leadership and contribute to senior organisational leadership within AGS.

Skills

Public law

Constitutional law

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Job description

National Leader - Office of General Counsel

Australian Attorney-General's Department – Canberra ACT

• Permanent (Ongoing) role at the Senior Executive Service Band 2 level
• Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne or Sydney locations

The Australian Government Solicitor is seeking applications from a senior public lawyer to lead the Office of General Counsel (OGC) practice group and advise the Commonwealth across the field of public law.

About us
Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) is the Australian Government’s central legal practice and part of the Attorney-General’s Department. AGS provides legal services to the Commonwealth Government in its complex, systemic and precedential matters, operating as a fee for service legal practice, competing against other legal service providers for the majority of our work.

AGS is unique. AGS is dedicated to acting for Government as its trusted adviser, working in the national interest.

AGS is innovative. Drawing on an exceptional depth of experience and expertise, we assist the Commonwealth Government in the development and implementation of solutions to legal issues that have national importance.

AGS is diverse. With over 550 lawyers and a team of approximately 800 professionals working in every capital city, we practice in more than 40 different areas of law related to government.

About the role
OGC is a team of approximately 110 lawyers specialising in the provision of legal advice and assistance to the Commonwealth Government on:

• constitutional and public law
• complex statutory interpretation and the development, and
• the implementation and administration of legislation.

OGC also acts for the Commonwealth in High Court constitutional litigation and coordinating the conduct of other cases involving constitutional issues. This work touches on core aspects of Australia's system of government, with often enduring implications for the Commonwealth and the nation, and often involves advising on matters of national security.

This is an opportunity for a senior public lawyer interested in rewarding work at a Senior or Managing Partner-equivalent level within the Commonwealth’s Senior Executive Service. The role operates at a strategic level, being an integral member of AGS's senior leadership team and also providing professional leadership across the Attorney-General’s department.

In this role you will:

• work directly with the Australian Government Solicitor and OGC Chief Counsel
• lead a team comprising over 110 lawyers located across Australia
• be part of a supportive, collegiate and high performing national practice
• be a member of AGS’s Professional Leadership Group and Management Committee
• advise on the Commonwealth’s most important, high profile, sensitive and complex legal matters.

For further information about the requirements of the role, please refer to the role description available on our recruitment portal.

About you
The successful candidate will ideally have:

• exceptional legal and analytical skills, with substantial public law expertise particularly in constitutional law and a strong understanding of the Commonwealth legal environment
• senior executive, partner-level or equivalent experience advising on complex legal issues relevant to government
• the ability to provide strategic, practical and authoritative advice to the highest levels of government
• demonstrated leadership and management capability, including the ability to lead high-performing legal teams and contribute to senior organisational leadership
• strong stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to build trusted relationships with senior Commonwealth clients
• excellent professional judgement, high ethical standards, strong interpersonal skills and a genuine commitment to mentoring and developing other lawyers.

You will work with a community of professionals dedicated to the national interest. You will work collaboratively in an inclusive environment where everyone’s contribution is valued. We offer our lawyers remuneration packages that are competitive in government legal practice, including 15.4% superannuation and the ability to earn a bonus.

With open door access to some of Australia’s most respected public lawyers, we work to develop talent and critical thinking, partnering with our clients to deliver creative solutions to current and emerging legal issues of national importance.

AGS is a supportive organisation which embraces diversity. We understand that work is only part of your life and while our work can be demanding at times, we also provide access to a range of flexible working options, generous leave entitlements and wellbeing benefits to support your needs throughout your career.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in AGS recruitment
We may use AI tools to support administrative tasks during recruitment processes. For further information about the use of AI in AGS recruitment, please visit our employment page Employment | AGS

Further enquiries
Further information can be obtained by contacting Natalie Lightfoot, HR Business Partner on 02 6253 7***.

Applications close at 5:00pm (AEDT) on Monday, 5 October 2026.