Principal Solicitor, Enforcement

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority in Melbourne seeks a Principal Solicitor to lead complex enforcement and resolution matters, and provide practical legal advice on investigations, litigation, enforcement action and APRA powers.

You will identify key facts, legal issues and evidentiary risks; develop strategies; prepare recommendations for senior decision makers; and review work of other lawyers while sharing expertise across the team.

Qualifications

• Australian citizen with eligibility for security clearance.
• Substantial experience in regulatory investigations, enforcement, litigation or administrative law.
• Experience in banking, insurance, superannuation or financial services regulation is highly regarded.
• Strong legal analysis and sound judgement in complex or uncertain situations.
• Excellent legal drafting and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex investigations and enforcement matters from planning through to recommendation and outcome.
• Advise on legal, evidentiary, litigation and regulatory risks.
• Identify potential breaches, evidentiary gaps and key legal issues.
• Develop case theories and enforcement, litigation or resolution strategies.
• Prepare legal advice, notices, evidence, briefs and papers for senior decision makers.
• Lead interviews, examinations and other evidence-gathering activities.
• Coordinate matter teams and oversee external lawyers, counsel and experts where required.
• Explain and defend recommendations to senior stakeholders and respond to challenge as matters develop.
• Mentor other lawyers and contribute to the broader Legal team's knowledge and capability.

Skills

Regulatory investigations

Enforcement

Litigation

Administrative law

Legal drafting

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

Australian practising certificate

Job description

As a Principal Solicitor in APRA's Enforcement team, you will lead complex enforcement and resolution matters and provide practical legal advice on investigations, litigation, enforcement action and the use of APRA's powers.

Working with supervision and specialist teams across APRA, you will identify key facts, legal issues and evidentiary risks, develop clear strategies and prepare recommendations for senior decision makers. You will also review the work of other lawyers, share your expertise and contribute to legal guidance, precedents and knowledge across the team

The team

The Enforcement team supports APRA's work to address serious prudential risks and hold entities and individuals to account. It advises on and implements enforcement action across banking, insurance and superannuation and contributes to APRA's co-administration of the Financial Accountability Regime with ASIC.

The work often involves complex facts, novel legal issues and engagement with regulated entities, external lawyers, counsel and other regulators.

Key responsibilities

• Lead complex investigations and enforcement matters from planning through to recommendation and outcome.
  
• Advise on legal, evidentiary, litigation and regulatory risks.
  
• Identify potential breaches, evidentiary gaps and key legal issues.
  
• Develop case theories and enforcement, litigation or resolution strategies.
  
• Prepare legal advice, notices, evidence, briefs and papers for senior decision makers.
  
• Lead interviews, examinations and other evidence-gathering activities.
  
• Coordinate matter teams and oversee external lawyers, counsel and experts where required.
  
• Explain and defend recommendations to senior stakeholders and respond to challenge as matters develop.
  
• Mentor other lawyers and contribute to the broader Legal team's knowledge and capability.

About you

You will be an Australian citizen, hold a current Australian practising certificate and have substantial experience in regulatory investigations, enforcement, litigation and/or administrative law. Experience in banking, insurance, superannuation or financial services regulation will be highly regarded.

Applicants will also ideally have:

• Experience leading complex legal or regulatory matters.
  
• Strong legal analysis and sound judgement in complex or uncertain situations.
  
• The ability to assess evidence and develop clear, practical strategies.
  
• Excellent legal drafting and communication skills.
  
• Strong organisation, prioritisation and matter management skills.
  
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders, regulated entities, external lawyers, counsel and regulators.
  
• A collaborative and respectful approach, with a willingness to mentor colleagues and share knowledge.

To work with us, you need to be an Australian citizen with eligibility to obtain and maintain Australian Government Security clearance.

About APRA

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) places you at the heart of Australia's financial services industry. APRA serves the Australian community by helping ensure that financial institutions deliver on the financial commitments they make, within a stable, efficient and competitive financial system.

At APRA, we're committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, feels valued and respected. We aspire to attract and foster diversity of background, thought and experience, recognising that a broad range of perspectives, approaches and ideas makes us stronger, and better enables us to meet our obligation to protect the financial wellbeing of the Australian community. When applying, please inform us of any adjustments you may need during the interview process.