Professional Assistant

State Solicitors Office; Perth; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Solicitor's Office in Western Australia seeks a Professional Assistant to join the Commercial Section on a two-year fixed-term contract. This full-time role suits a law student advancing toward their degree, who will study part-time while gaining practical experience in legal research, drafting and matter management.

You will work alongside about 30 commercial lawyers on a wide range of government-focused matters, developing client understanding and professional skills in a supportive,

Qualifications

• Entering final year of a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor in 2027.
• Excellent academic results.
• Proven ability to undertake legal research and analyse complex legal information.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Undertake legal research on matters relevant to Government, departments, agencies and instrumentalities.
• Assist with the preparation of commercial legal advice, contract documentation, negotiations, submissions, pleadings and other legal documentation.
• Support lawyers with the management and delivery of commercial legal matters.
• Develop practical experience across a broad range of specialised commercial law matters.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting

Commercial law

Government law

Communication

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Build your legal career while working on commercial matters in a leading government legal practice.

About the role

The State Solicitor's Office (the Office) is seeking a motivated and capable Professional Assistant to join the Commercial Section on a two-year fixed-term contract. This is an excellent opportunity for a law student who has made significant progress towards their law degree and is looking to combine practical legal experience with ongoing study. The successful applicant will work full-time while completing the final stages of their legal studies on a part-time basis. Working within the Commercial Section, you will support the delivery of high-quality legal services to Government while developing practical skills in legal research, drafting and matter management. You will join a team of approximately 30 experienced commercial lawyers, working on a wide range of commercial matters and building an understanding of clients, legal processes and the unique issues impacting the Western Australian public sector. The Commercial Section represents the State on major commercial transactions and projects across areas such as infrastructure, resources, procurement, finance and property. As your capability develops, you will progressively take on more complex work while benefiting from structured supervision, mentoring and professional development within the State Solicitor's Office, the largest public sector legal practice in Western Australia.

Key aspects of this role

• Undertaking legal research on matters relevant to Government, departments, agencies and instrumentalities.
• Assisting with the preparation of commercial legal advice, contract documentation, negotiations, submissions, pleadings and other legal documentation.
• Supporting lawyers with the management and delivery of commercial legal matters.
• Developing practical experience across a broad range of specialised commercial law matters.
• Working closely with experienced practitioners and developing professional skills in preparation for a legal career in commercial law.

While Professional Assistants may choose to apply for future employment opportunities with the State Solicitor's Office, this position does not form part of the Office's graduate recruitment program and does not provide a guaranteed pathway to ongoing employment. Any future employment opportunities with the Office are subject to the relevant recruitment and selection processes.

About us

The State Solicitor's Office (the Office) is responsible for the provision of broad based, high quality legal services to the Government of Western Australia and to a wide range of State government client departments and agencies including advice on law reform. You can find more about the Office, its functions and key contributions here. The Office is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and value the unique contributions of all employees. We are committed to improving employment opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as outlined in our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. To support this commitment, we have applied Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) to this recruitment process. This vacancy is open to all interested applicants, however Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. What does this mean? See the attached Section 51 – Guide for Applicants for more information.

About you

This opportunity is ideal for someone who is passionate about the law, enjoys learning and is looking to gain valuable practical experience while completing their studies. To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Entering your final year of a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor in 2027 and a genuine interest in commercial law and government legal practice.
• Excellent academic results.
• Proven ability to undertake legal research and analyse complex legal information.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive working relationships and provide high-quality support.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively, managing priorities and delivering outcomes within agreed timeframes.

Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of this position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.

More information

If you would like further information regarding this opportunity, please contact Natalie Tan , Acting Adviser (Commercial) on [phone] or email [e-mail] for a confidential discussion.