Policy Lawyer, fixed term

New South Wales Bar Association; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Professional development

CPD access

Job summary

The New South Wales Bar Association invites applications for a Policy Lawyer on a fixed-term parental leave position (October 2026 – July 2027) in Sydney. The role focuses on policy development, law reform, and advocacy to support the administration of justice.

You will provide legal research, advise on policy issues, and assist Committees with submissions to government bodies and other law reform agencies. Flexible, professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Excellent research, legal and analytical skills.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of NSW and Australian government, parliamentary, and legal systems.
• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, to the NSW Supreme Court.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice, legal research and guidance on policy and law reform issues.
• Provide secretariat and other support to Bar Association Committees.
• Assist Committees to prepare submissions to NSW and Australian Governments, Parliamentary Committees, the Law Council of Australia, and other government and law reform agencies.
• Undertake policy analysis and legal research.
• Draft briefing notes, memorandums, and submissions on legal policy issues.
• Assist with organisation of continuing professional development for barristers and educational events.
• Other duties to support the team and Committees; some after-hours work.

Skills

Legal research

Policy analysis

Drafting submissions

Written and oral communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Admitted to NSW Supreme Court or eligible

Job description

Policy Lawyer, fixed term parental leave position (October 2026 - July 2027)

The New South Wales Bar Association is the professional body for practising barristers and associate members, including former barristers, clerks and judges. The Bar Association exercises licensing and disciplinary functions, regulates entry to the NSW Bar, engages in policy advocacy and law reform, provides education, support and services for members, and administers the delivery of pro bono legal services by NSW barristers.

The Association’s mission is to:

• Foster the highest professional standards for a strong and independent Bar
• Provide services which support barristers in the practice of their profession
• Champion the rule of law and access to justice
• Demonstrate leadership and organisational strength in representing the Bar.

About the role

Your new team:

The Policy and Law Reform team is a skilled group of lawyers and policy specialists who work with the President, Bar Council and the Association’s Committees in the promotion of the administration of justice and in making submissions with respect to legislation, law reform, rules of court and the business and procedure of courts.

Key responsibilities

As a Policy Lawyer, your role is to provide advice, legal research and guidance on a wide range of policy and law reform issues and to provide secretariat and other support to the specialist Committees of volunteer barristers that we serve.

Committee support

• Provide secretariat support to Bar Association Committees (preparing agendas, minutes and meeting papers) and support to Committee Chairs.
• Assist Committees to prepare submissions to NSW and Australian Governments, Parliamentary Committees, the Law Council of Australia, and other government and law reform agencies.

Policy analysis and legal research

• Undertake policy analysis and legal research.
• Draft briefing notes, memorandums, and submissions on legal policy issues.

Events and other duties

• Assist with the organisation of continuing professional development for barristers, educational events, functions and open days.
• Other duties that assist in the smooth running of the team, our Association and the Committees.
• Some work outside the core standard hours will be necessary, as Committee meetings are held between 5-7pm.

Experience and personal attributes

• Excellent research, legal and analytical skills.
• Ability to research and develop responses to complex legal and policy issues.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of NSW and Australian government, parliamentary, and legal systems.
• Passion for access to justice issues and solutions.
• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, to the NSW Supreme Court.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight timeframes.
• A team player, with a pitch in and help mentality.

What we offer

• Work/life balance.
• Opportunities for professional development and an insight into practice at the NSW Bar.
• Full access to the Bar Association's CPD program while employed by the Association.
• An exceptional learning opportunity.

Additional information

This role reports to the Director, Policy and Law Reform.

The Association is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. First Nations people are encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability.